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General Recreation Helps Bring Wissahickon Park Back to Life in West Ambler with Inclusive Playground

An aerial view of the new playground at the revitalized Wissahickon Park in the West Ambler neighborhood of Whitpain Township.

A park in West Ambler that had been closed for 40 years has come back to life with a new playground from General Recreation Inc. in Newtown Square as its centerpiece.

Wissahickon Park in Whitpain Township is an example of a community reclaiming and reimagining a long-closed public space.

Once an active township park, the site was closed in the mid-1980s due to environmental concerns, and it sat dormant for nearly four decades.

Following years of environmental work, Whitpain Township received approval in 2024 to move forward with a redevelopment plan supported by federal and state grant funding, along with more than $1 million in local investment.

In 2025, township officials awarded multi-million-dollar contracts for Phase 1 construction, covering the core park infrastructure, utilities, and amenities.

West Ambler residents participated in revitalization meetings and park design sessions, helping shape a park program focused on play, open spaces, and community-oriented facilities reflecting the neighborhood’s priorities.

Whitpain Township partnered with General Recreation, a leading provider of commercial playground and recreation equipment throughout Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region.

General Recreation’s vibrant new playground is at the heart of the park, designed to serve children and families of all abilities.

Working alongside Landscape Structures, a nationally recognized leader in innovative and inclusive playground design, General Recreation supplied and installed contemporary equipment that supports a wide range of ages and abilities while meeting current safety and accessibility standards.

Alpha Towers Play

The school-age play area is anchored by two Alpha Link Towers that add extra climbing challenges and are connected by an elevated crawl tunnel. The result is an engaging space that encourages both active play and social interaction.

Inclusive Play

A close-up look at some of the playground equipment now on site at Wissahickon Park. Image via General Recreation, Inc.

The playground also has inclusive play features such as the We-Go-Round (an accessible merry-go-round), the Friendship swing, two sensory play areas, a ZipKrooz, a preschool play area with age-appropriate play events, and other climbers.

The park’s reemergence is an example of local government, residents, and recreation partners working together on a shared vision.

Projects like Wissahickon Park represent General Recreation’s mission to help communities create engaging outdoor spaces that foster healthy lifestyles, social interaction, and inclusive recreation.

Have a playground project in mind? Reach out to General Recreation Inc. to find out more.