Fairmount Park Conservancy

Image title

The Boxers' Trail

Boxers' Trail

The Boxers’ Trail, a 3.8 mile long trail located in East Fairmount Park in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of Philadelphia, derives its name from its original use as a training ground to generations of Philadelphia boxers. Champion boxer and Philadelphian Joe Frazier was its most prominent user and continues to support its redevelopment. When Muhammad Ali wanted to challenge Joe Frazier, he came to the Boxers’ Trail because he knew he could find Frazier there. Even today, one can see young boxers jogging along the trail.

Restoration of the Boxers’ Trail is one of the key recommendations contained in the Fairmount (East/West) Park Trail Master Plan completed for the Fairmount Park Commission in April 2001. The process of preparing the master plan included public meetings and workshops to solicit community input into the selection of projects. It was during this process that the Boxer’s Trail emerged as an area of special concern and interest to the community. Before the start of the project, the Boxers’ Trail was a narrow, unpaved path along a wooded hilltop that overlooks the Schuylkill River. When completed, the Boxers’ Trail will connect the historic Smith Memorial Playground, the proposed National Audubon Society environmental center, and the historic mansions of Fairmount Park to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood as well as to the regional trail system that leads to Valley Forge.

The Conservancy is currently seeking the remaining support needed to re-build the second and final phase of the Boxers’ Trail, therefore securing it as a place of pride and sign of emerging revitalization for the neighborhood it encompasses. One million dollars has been invested thus far in construction of Phase I and Phase II of the Trail. This leaves $130,000 needed to complete construction, and bring this first and important effort of the Fairmount Park Conservancy to a close.