About
A Park for Everyone. A Project for All of Us!
Friends of Orkney Park
Friends of Orkney Park is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for, improving, and protecting the green spaces along North Orkney Street.
Our mission is to preserve the natural beauty of this special place, strengthen its connection to the surrounding neighborhood, and protect it for generations to come. Through volunteer stewardship, community events, environmental education, and ongoing improvements, we are helping Orkney Park remain a welcoming place where nature, community, play, and quiet reflection come together.
Board of Directors
Bob Aretz
Alexandria Bondy
Janet Finegar
Tony Hochstetler
Leslie Kaufman
Mallorie Lauvaux
Donald Phillips
Liz Reed
Bob Reichert
Orkney Park
Tucked along a historically certified cobblestone cartway on the 800 block of North Orkney Street, Orkney Park is a hidden gem in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood.
What began as the preservation of a wooded parcel has grown into a collection of four distinct community spaces along North Orkney Street:
The Preserve
The wooded heart of Orkney Park, where towering trees, native plants, birds, and wildlife create a peaceful retreat from the surrounding bustle of the city.
The Garden
A welcoming garden designed for gathering, relaxing, and enjoying the changing seasons.
The Farm
A shared growing space where neighbors cultivate vegetables, herbs, flowers, and a stronger sense
of community.
The Playground
A neighborhood play space with a half basketball court, children’s play equipment, and room for families and neighbors to gather.
Together, these spaces form a thriving urban oasis that offers opportunities for play, gardening, learning, gathering, and connecting with nature. Orkney Park also hosts free community events and environmental education programs for children and adults throughout the year.
Towering elm, pine, locust, buckeye, spruce, and cottonwood trees rise above a rich understory of shrubs and perennials. More than 20 species of birds have been identified in the park, along with squirrels, raccoons, opossums, groundhogs, and the occasional fox.
For many neighbors, Orkney Park is more than green space. It is a place to slow down, meet one another, discover something new, and enjoy a quiet moment in nature.
“Orkney Park”
A Film by Brice Goldberg
This short documentary follows Mitch Deighan and his partner, Mike Anderson, as they work to preserve a natural space within a changing urban neighborhood. Their vision, supported by the dedication of neighbors and community partners, helped lay the foundation for the Orkney Park we know today.
The Benefits of Nature
The remarkable biodiversity found within Orkney Park demonstrates how even a modest area of urban green space can make a meaningful difference.
The park’s variety of trees, plants, insects, birds, and wildlife provides opportunities for children and adults to experience and learn about nature close to home. It also offers a peaceful place to step away from the pace of city life, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the beauty of the natural world.
Did you know?
The diversity of the natural environment can be just as important as the size of the green space in supporting psychological well-being.
Trees, plants, and other green vegetation can contribute to a greater sense of comfort and safety within a neighborhood.
Smaller, well-maintained urban parks can provide visitors with a sense of refuge while still feeling connected to the surrounding community.
Shared green spaces help strengthen neighborhood relationships and bring people together.
Our Partner
Neighborhood Gardens Trust works with community gardeners, neighborhood organizations, property owners, and the City of Philadelphia to secure ownership or long-term protection for community-managed open spaces.
Its work gives communities greater confidence that the gardens and green spaces they care for can continue to be enjoyed by current residents and future generations.