Where To Picnic: Pennsylvania
Willow Grove and Upper Moreland Township

Willow Grove is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles north of Philadelphia. The population was 16,234 at the 2000 census. It is the home of the Naval Air Station Willow Grove. Willow Grove was once best known for Willow Grove Park, a popular amusement park that was open from 1896 to 1976.

Willow Grove has a history that spans nearly three centuries. Following a land grant established by William Penn, known as the Manor of Moreland, the first home was built in 1719. The colonial farmstead slowly grew into a small rural community. By the mid-1800s, Willow Grove served as a summer vacation retreat for Philadelphia residents.

On Memorial Day, 1896 the Willow Grove Amusement Park was opened. At around the same time a trolley line was built along Old York Road, connecting the area to Philadelphia's numerous neighborhoods. Willow Grove became a popular destination spot. Many visitors were attracted to the sounds of John Phillip Sousa, who played at the amusement park. By the 1920s, a downtown area took shape at the crossroads of Old York Road, Easton Road, and Davisville Road. The original town center included a lumberyard, clothing store, bank, and post office. The amusement park was one of the country's biggest until 1976, when it closed down in favor of the Willow Grove Mall, which opened in 1982.

Trolley service was discontinued in the 1950s. By the mid-20th century, downtown Willow Grove began to evolve into an automobile dominated suburban center. Willow Grove is a place that has evolved many times over three centuries, from a colonial farmstead, to a small rural community, to a world-renowned entertainment destination, to a regional suburban shopping center that it is today.

3500 Masons Mill Rd. Huntingdon Valley. 76 acres. Lighted volleyball and basketball courts, 7 tennis courts* (5 lighted), 2 softball fields (1 lighted), lighted baseball field w/ overlapping football field, 3 picnic pavilions*, Safety Town complex*, 3 modular play equipment units, spring animals, whirl, climbers, dinosaur climbers, water spray pole, drinking fountains, fitness trail w/ 18 stations (.72 mi.), wooded walking path, restrooms, Woody’s Fishin’ Hole, archery range*, horseshoes, picnic tables, concert gazebo, charcoal grills, benches, bulletin boards, 30 acre Hobensac Nature walking area, maintenance building, lighted and paved parking areas. (*=fee charged for use. Please call the Parks and Recreation Dept. for information.)

3530 Mill Rd. Hatboro. 7.0 acres. Modular play equipment, swing set, basketball court, picnic tables, wooded areas, creek ford, grills, open turf area, and parking.

220 Mineral Ave. Willow Grove. 24.0 acres. Modular play equipment, 2 lighted basketball/volleyball courts, 2 shuffle board courts, restroom building w/ storage, benches, open play field, picnic tables, perimeter walking track (.33 mi.) 10 acre wooded area, monument to War Veterans, and paved parking lot.