Philly’s Hunting Park neighborhood may get its name from the public space at the heart of it, but the neighborhood is active beyond its namesake green space.
The area was a hunting ground that was part of James Logan's estate, Stenton, according to Philly Voice. A former Philadelphia mayor and secretary to the Penn family, Logan hunted in the large tract of land that’s used as recreation space today.
As the habitat evolved, so did the uses for the green space. Hunting Park was once home to the Allen’s Racecourse, where celebrated racehorses competed against each other. In the 1930s, the site had a music pavilion and merry-go-round. Today’s athletic fields are set on top of a former lake.
The neighborhood’s boundaries are roughly north of Sedgley Avenue, east of the former SEPTA R7 line, south of Roosevelt Boulevard, and west of Front Street, according to the Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee.
Here’s what you can find in Philly’s Hunting Park neighborhood:
Food & Drink
Ciddiany’s Bakery sells sweet treats like cookies, carrot cake, and arroz con dulce. (Siani Colón / City Cast Philly)
Tierra Colombiana has been a staple of the 5th Street corridor for over 30 years. Diners can enjoy its chicken soup, churrasco Colombiano, and bandeja tipica from its extensive menu. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and brings to the table a variety of Latin American flavors.
K Cafe’s corner spot offers quick bites and full Vietnamese meals. I recommend the black tiger boba milk tea and the rice platter combo (which includes an appetizer and smoothie, all for $20). During the colder months, the restaurant serves customers through a takeout window, but in the spring and summer, the owners set up an outdoor dining area with floral decor.
Have brunch with the besties at Cray Taste. The restaurant, which also has a location in Old City, serves breakfast classics like chicken-and-waffles and steak-and-eggs. Seafood lovers can get either fried whiting, salmon, or lamb with cheddar cheese grits, cajun shrimp, and crab meat. Feeling hungry toward the evening? Cray Taste also has a dinner menu -- and vegan options.
If you’re craving something sugary, Ciddiany’s has something for you. The pretty pink bakery sells delights like cheesecake, tres leche cake, and passionfruit mousse. You can also order a custom cake for a special occasion.
Support the Arts
Esperanza Arts Center brings a variety of programs to its stage, including performances by Philadanco. (Courtesy of Esperanza)
Esperanza is a staple in the community for its service to health and education, but its hidden gem is arts programming at Teatro Esperanza. The theater hosts regular events such as stand-up comedy, dance performances, concerts, and film screenings. Acts that have stopped by include the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra and Philadanco.
If you’re looking to not just watch the stage but perform on it some day, you can take a course through the Artistas y Músicos Latinoamericanos (AMLA) program. AMLA teaches youth and adults how to play piano, guitar, Latin percussion and other instruments in a range of genres.
Galería Esperanza is for those who love the still image. The gallery displays visual arts from creatives both locally and internationally, and supports the next generation of artists. The gallery is open to the public by appointment Monday through Friday and during performances in the theater.
Shared Spaces
The Hunting Park Recreation Center is home to several teams including the Indians, Aztecs, and Warriors. (Siani Colón / City Cast Philly)
Hunting Park’s pride is the park at the center of it all. Outdoors, you can stay active at the park’s swimming pool, basketball courts, baseball fields, wallball courts, and playgrounds. If a full-blown workout isn’t for you, there’s a weekly walking group that moves through in the mornings.
Inside of the recreation center, residents take advantage of programs like indoor basketball, volleyball, and a fitness bootcamp. Students can get academic assistance and develop new skills through its afterschool program. A weekly food distribution by Food 4 Philly takes place outside of the rec center every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.
If you have a green thumb, consider spending time at the Hunting Park Community Garden this spring. Plants and veggies will be taking over the 11,000-square-foot space.
North10 serves residents in both Hunting Park and East Tioga to encourage civic engagement and increase education opportunities. The hub has an open gym, community classrooms, food market, and afterschool programs. Visitors can participate in a range of programming.
Know Your Neighbors
One way to feel more connected to a community is to get to know the neighbors doing the work.
Hunting Park United organizes community cleanup to beautify the neighborhood and provide volunteer opportunities for folks to give back.
Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee supports residents with utility assistance and home repairs, and hosts regular community meetings.
Hunting Park Coalition promotes collaboration between the different community engagement efforts in the neighborhood.
