Residents of Wissahickon Hills that walk their pets regularly are in for some wet weather as rain frequently occurs throughout the year. Good waterproof footwear and a rain jacket are must-haves. Precipitation that occurs during the winter can turn to snow on particularly cold days. Make sure you have warm footwear with good traction for occasional cold, snowy days. Summer in Philadelphia tends to be hot and humid and you may want to avoid taking your dog out on long strenuous walks in the heat. Instead, opt for cooler times of the day to take your dog for a daily constitutional and pack water for you and your pet on sweltering days to avoid dehydration and heat-related illness.
Most homes in the area are brick duplexes, but there are single-family homes at the base of the hilly area along Leverington Avenue. Residential properties are beautifully landscaped with lots of green lawns, gardens, shrubs, and large mature shade trees that give the region a park-like, suburban setting. Many residential streets have grassy berms along sidewalks which provide soft, cool footing for your canine companion and prevent paw pads from being damaged on hot paved surfaces.
The Wissahickon Valley Park is a large wilderness and natural area sitting right on the doorstep of the Wissahickon Hills neighborhood. With over 2,000 acres along the Wissahickon Creek and 20 miles of pedestrian paths winding through the natural area, dogs and their owners have lots of greenways to explore. There are bridges crossing the creeks in the area and a variety of terrain to wander.
The Pachella Sports Fields are also located in the neighborhood and provide recreational facilities right beside the Wissahickon Trail. This open, grassy space is a great place to throw a frisbee for your pup when local sports teams are not using the ball diamonds.
Gorgas Park sits on the southwest side and paved pedestrian paths crisscross this open green park with mature trees along the park's borders. This park is home to many events and concerts throughout the year which can be discovered online.