Everhart Park
Vibe:
Home to 433 trees, a babbling stream and a litany of wildflowers, Everhart is a pretty park known to photographers the county over. It has served as the backdrop to countless family, engagement, wedding and group prom photos – but Everhart is more than a pretty face.
On any given Sunday (or Tuesday), you can find sunbathing students, dog walkers, running kids, wedding planners, or yogis in the grass. Outside of two small playground areas and a basketball court, there are few defined spaces in the park. Making it the perfect location for all those activities that lack definition.
This may have been part in design. The original edict for the park was to keep at least one part of the park “a practical pleasure ground for children where play should not be confined to conventional city ideals.” (Which seems to have translated to, no baseball fields.)
Located on the west end of town, and taking up two city blocks Everhart is one of West Chester’s largest parks.
Which may be why it also plays host to several very well-defined events each year including the Borough Easter Egg Hunt, the May Day Festival and the Turkshead Music Festival.
History (Courtesy of West Chester University):
Everhart Grove became Everhart Park and West Chester’s second public park in November 1905. Part of a 102-acre parcel south of Gay Street and west of High purchased by builder William S. Everhart in 1828. (Everhart contributed more than 100 buildings to the WC landscape.) But the land in Everhart Grove was too steep, too swampy and too far from town to warrant developing. After Everhart’s death the parcel was passed between several relatives but was eventually gifted to the borough with little fanfare in 1905.
In 1906 the borough invested in cleaning up the land, clearing out brush and growth, adding some benches and the octagonal pavilion that stands today.
Interesting fact:
Everhart park was once home to a lake and a fountain. All that is left today is a stream that trickles under the parks two walking bridges.
Key features:
Two playgrounds, a basketball court, gazebo, picnic tables and grills, and a beautiful natural backdrop.
Everhart is also available for private parties, contact the Park & Rec to reserve (and get access to the bathroom key).
Events:
Everhart is home to several signature West Chester events including:
- Plant Sale (Park fundraiser)
- The Annual Borough Easter Egg Hunt (get there early!)
- The May Day Festival
- Yoga in the Park (held in the spring and fall – follow Friends of Everhart Park for details)
- Summer Camp (run by the Park & Rec this program only accepts 75 kids per location and is very popular. So if you’re interested signing up a kid, register early.)
- Turkshead Music Festival
- Theater in the park (July)
- Recycled Art Sale (Sept)
Location:
South of Miner Street between Brandywine and Bradford Avenue.
Parking:
Street parking is available on three sides of the park.
Keep in touch:
Have an idea for Everhart or any of the West Chester parks? Follow Friends of Everhart Part on Facebook and check out how this post on how to get involved.
Not the right park for you? Explore another.
