Bigbee Field, Emerald View Regional Park, Mount Washington/Allentown: 3 Bigbee Street
An old wooden croquet set has recently come into my possession, and I’m feeling a bit like Alice in Wonderland because finding a playing space that isn’t all “ridges and furrows and hedgehogs” is trickier than I imagined. But Bigee Field on the Allentown-Mount Washington border may be a contender. While the fenced-in field is the only formal amenity, its not-so-gently draping hillside is part of Emerald View Park. Because of this, hiking trails offer several directions to wander. The path I explored led to a narrow hillside perch named William Street, a portion of which is permanently closed to vehicles due to recent landslides. Walking along William brings you directly above the Liberty Tunnel and Bridge, and offers a unique and curious perspective (and depending on the time of day, the opportunity to wave to folks stuck in traffic below).
Keep in mind that continuing with William will lead you to Arlington Avenue, which is far away from Bigbee, so unless you want a long-ish, urban walk, be prepared to re-trace your path for a slightly less exuberant uphill return. But whatever route you choose, the clean and clear clover-covered field awaits your return. It is an ideal spot for kicking back, looking up at the sky, resting legs, and pondering next moves. Remember the advice given to Alice, “While some routes may be impassible. Nothing’s impossible!”
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