Hi,
Just moved to University City... I'm trying to find a good running route- something safe that doesn't involve crossing too many streets- possibly to a park... I keep seeing people jogging down Baltimore Ave and wonder where they're all going. I'd love some advice.

I've seen people running in the Woodlands, which is a cemetary-estate where Baltimore meets Woodland. Maybe that is where they are going? But maybe the idea of running in a cemetary would creep you out.

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The Good Reverend

I've run there many times. It's safe and pleasant if a cemetary doesn't freak you out.

The Woodlands is a good place to run, but I also frequent Penn's campus. There is a good stretch on Locust Walk between 34th and 40th that doesn't have any obstructions. Also, in the past Franklin Field has been open to the general public. Thats a good place to time yourself and your exact distance, but the view is a little less exciting.

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- George -

http://www.barackobama.com

Seems that people cross the river and take the path up to the Art Museum... Tons of people when the weather is nice and a suprising amount when the weather is not so nice (aka 'core runners)Dunno if thats too far over from UC for ya..

I jog Baltimore Ave to the bridges, which is a good place to catch your breath, but it does involve a fair amount of street crossing. I've also jogged laps around Clark Park in the past, but that also involves crossing streets and involves too many laps to make much of a workout. The cemetary is a good suggestion, though it personally would creep me out.

what about the hundreds of students?


If you have a car, I'd recommend Wissahickon Park/Forbidden Drive. IMO, it's the nicest place in the city to do anything.

Jog through Penn's campus - get to 40th & Locust & from there you can go all the way to 33rd & Chestnut only having crossed one intersection. From there to the Chestnut St. bridge you'll have to cross 5 intersections, but after that you can get to the bike path without any further street-crossing.

Word of warning though about Penn's campus - during the schoolyear, esp. on weekday mornings between 10 of and the top of the hour, Locust Walk can be really crowded.

My neighbor frequently goes running in Woodland Cemetary, it doesn't strike me as scary at all.

I didn't mean that the cemetary would be physically scary; it is isolated but there are often groundskeeping crews in there.