Cobbs Creek

Cobbs Creek sits on the west side of Philadelphia. It features a creek and park of the same name, which are both part of the Fairmount Park system.

The neighborhood lost a lot of its wonder as a result of the 1985 bombing of the MOVE compound, which caused a fire that consumed two city blocks. In recent years, however, there has been a lot of construction which is resulting in the neighborhood coming back to life.

The Cobbs Creek Parkway lines the outskirts of the east side and is the busiest portion of the neighborhood. On the one side is Cobbs Creek Park which has the creek, basketball courts, playgrounds, plenty of space for picnics and it hosts tons of activities in the Spring and Summer. There is also a pretty cool ice skating rink. On the other side of the Parkway is a retirement hospice and a huge pediatrician's office next door, which is affiliated with the legendary Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This side is also lined with Tudor and colonial style homes with pretty lawns.

Transportation is totally not an issue in Cobbs Creek. With a plethora of buses, trains and trolleys, it is very easy to travel to most parts of the city and the surrounding suburbs. It also features the newly renovated El train's 63rd Street Station. Having a car is great but not necessary in this part of town.

For families with school-age children there are many types of schools in the area. The School District of Philadelphia has elementary, middle and high schools in this neighborhood. There is also a Catholic school. A couple of charter schools which have replaced a few of the public schools have popped up in recent years. There are also tons of day cares for younger children to attend and after-school care for children whose parents work late.

This neighborhood is a diamond in the rough. It is actually more peaceful than most people perceive it to be. As time progresses, Cobbs Creek is slowly but surely forming into the essence of its former self and a place that shouldn't be overlooked.

Cobbs Creek borders the western edge of the city. It is populated largely by middle-class and working class African Americans. Churches of all denominations are placed on numerous corners while Philadelphia’s notorious bars dot the other side. Atypical of Philadelphia residences, many of the homes are surrounded by well-manicured lawns, flower beds and trees. The Cobbs Creek Automobile Suburb Historic District, a cluster of blocks with very distinctive architecture comprises the area.

Cobbs Creek is famous for an Environmental Center located alongside the creek, which has undergone an initiative to clean up the creek and educate the community on environmental issues. Each April, the center gets its 15 minutes of fame for the year.

Powered by the waters of the creek, the area became home to numerous milling and manufacturing operations, most notably Millbourne and Angora Mills which were founded by the Sellers Family. When the mills closed at the turn of the 20th Century, large swaths of land were made available for real estate development.

Transportation is good with trolley lines and buses connecting all parts of the city. The area is a short commute to University City and easily accessible for students and faculty. If you frequent the airport, this is a good location. And, if you love golf there is a popular course nearby.

The further west you go into west Philadelphia the rougher around the edges it gets. Cobbs Creek is considered the Southside portion of west Philadelphia as it is located below Market Street and above Baltimore Ave. There is also a creek of the same name that separates the neighborhood from the suburbs. The creek is part of Cobbs Creek Park which is a large portion of Fairmount Park system. This area is great for exposing urban kids to wildlife.

A predominantly African American community, Cobbs Creek used to be farmland that was owned by a Quaker family known as the Cobbs, hence its name. This district also has a history of notable gang activity and is the site of the MOVE house which was bombed by Philadelphia police in 1985. The bombing resulted in a fire that consumed two blocks in Cobbs Creek.

Living in Cobbs Creek overall is inexpensive, it’s a lower middle working class section. The buildings are falling apart and this section of Market St is one the dirtiest. You’ll definitely have access to public transportation in this section, specifically the EL. The crime rate activity is unnerving in this area as well with high incidents of theft.

Cobbs Creek is a neighborhood located in the west section of Philadelphia. It is bound by Market Street to the north, Baltimore Avenue to the south, 52nd Street to the east and Cobbs Creek to the west. The neighborhood is named after the 11.8 mile long tributary of Darby Creek that runs into the Delaware River.
Cobbs Creek is a predominantly African American community that is often locally referred to as “The Southside” because it is located south of Market Street and above Baltimore Avenue. Most of the houses located in this neighborhood are large and styled after Colonial Revival architecture. They offer huge bay windows and are set back from the road, which make them the perfect homes for families with small children.
One of the major attractions of Cobbs Creek is Cobbs Creek Park, which is part of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park System, which is the largest urban park in the country. Cobbs Creek Park offers three playgrounds and is the primary hiking and recreational attraction for many people who live in West Philadelphia. For many Philadelphia children, Cobbs Creek Park is their first taste of nature.
Another feature of Cobbs Creek is the Free Library of Philadelphia which is located at 5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway at the intersection of 59th Street and Baltimore Avenue.
Cobbs Creek is a fairly affordable section of the city to live in and offers many houses and apartments. It has a fairly low crime rate and is a tight-knit community.