Academy Gardens

Academy Gardens resides in the far Northeast section of Philadelphia. The neighborhood is bordered by Pennypack Park, Grant Avenue, Holme Avenue and Jon F. Byrne Golf Course. The area was originally farmland owned by surveyor Thomas Holme until it was settled on by World War II veterans.

The home in Academy Garden were inexpensive when it was first settled on. This was mostly because the houses were unfinished to be cost effective. Over the years, all of these homes have been remodeled and each has its own individual style. Houses in Academy Gardens are detached, single-family style with driveways and beautifully manicured lawns.

Academy Gardens has recreation options for adults and youth. The area consists of not one, but two golf courses; John F. Byrne golf course and Torresdale-Frankford Country Club. Young people in the area have two recreational organizations to be a part of; Crispin Academy and Penn-Academy. All of these options keep residents liesurely occupied.

Education in the area consists of a few Catholic schools such as Archbishop Ryan High School. Also, Holy Family University, a prominant post-high school institution, resides in the neighborhood.

Retail stores in the area consist of businesses such as Liam Automotives and Billows Electric Supply. There are also some good restaurants in the vicinity such as Brick House Bar & Grill. Businesses generally run along Holme Avenue and Willits Road.

SEPTA (Philadelphia's public transportation) doesn't run frequently in Academy Gardens. However, major roadways, such as Frankford Avenue, and Interstate 95 are easily accessible. Due to not much public transportation there is a lot of vehicular traffic.

If you are looking for a suburban area to raise a family, Academy Gardens is the perfect neighborhood. It's peaceful, family friendly and far from the hustle and bustle of Center City. Also, with the park in the area, there is always a place away from home to experience and enjoy.

Located in the Far Northeast, Academy Gardens is a middle-class neighborhood bordered by Pennypack Park. The area is alive with green space, country clubs and community pride.

Most homes are detached, single-families, inhabited by long-term owners; renters are few and far between. The population skews towards Caucasian professionals that work in Center City or the surrounding suburbs; since the area has a high commuter population, there are also many drivers. Public transportation is not easily accessible, but I-95 is conveniently located.

In addition to the spacious and green Pennypack Park, Academy Gardens is close to Fox Chase Farms. These two spaces give residents access to a number of outdoor activities, 4H clubs, ponds and recreational sports. Additionally, there are many country clubs within Academy Gardens’ boundaries, such as the John F. Byrne Golf Club and Torresdale-Frankford Country Club. There are also youth sports organizations, like Penn-Academy and Crispin Gardens. Access to these types of organizations makes the area ideal to raise children.

Overall, Academy Gardens is a great place for couples and families to settle; however, it is far from Center City and a bit of a commute. If access to an urban cityscape is not on your list of priorities, Academy Gardens is ideal. The area is suited for those who want a suburban life – and a desirable one at that. The desirability of the area has caused sale and rent prices to rise in recent years, and will continue to do so.

Academy Gardens doesn’t really have much to do with gardens or anything floral for that matter, though it does have its share of trees. The far northeast neighborhood began with inexpensive starter homes, many of which were unfinished but these days it’s a lot different from its humble beginnings

The homes in this upper middle class neighborhood were renovated and expanded over the years and the property value increased. The predominantly white Academy Gardens is not the cheapest northeast Philadelphia neighborhood to live in.
While the neighborhoods first residents were mostly veterans from World War II, Academy Garden has attracted families to the community. There are a few local sports organizations like Penn-Academy and Crispin Gardens which make it an attractive area for raising children.

While Academy Gardens is a mainly a residential area there is retail located along Holmes Avenue and Willits Road. The neighborhood is kind of spread out and it’s quite a distance from the rest of the city so having access to a car is ideal if you are going to live here.

The neighborhood is also within driving distance from the notable Pennypack Park which is a great day time getaway spot for families and couples.