Welcome
Friends of High School Park
A non-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to create, manage, and preserve a viable 11+ acre native ecosystem within Cheltenham Township’s High School Park for the enjoyment and education of the community.
Wander through the winding upper meadow paths, and discover the demonstration gardens, a working rain garden, and a raised walkway and bird observation deck. Then, meander through the middle woodland area and down onto the stream banks of the Tookany Creek.
Our Gardens
Native Plants & Pollinators
Our Gardens
Native Plants & Pollinators
We concentrate on plants that have evolved here, they are well-adapted to our climate and are generally easy to care for once they are established. Many native perennials like less fertile soil and require the addition of little or no fertilizer.
Info & Events
Current & Upcoming
Climate Circle Cafe
On Monday, October 5th at 7:00 pm, guest speaker, Alison Macrina, the Executive Director of the Library Freedom Project, will talk about how the demands of AI impact our health and the health of our planet. This event takes place at the Elkins Park Library. To sign...
The Art of Soil
DATE: Saturday, October 3 TIME: 1-3PM Location: High School Park, Tookany Creek Outdoor Classroom DESCRIPTION: Prehistoric humans made their paint from rocks and soil, and we are still creating art with these rich colors today. In this workshop, you will learn how to...
Trees from Roots to Shoots – Briar Bush
Location: High School Park at the New Tookany Creek Outdoor Classroom Time: Sunday, October 11th from 2-3pm Program Description: Briar Bush will be presenting "Trees from Roots to Shoots," featuring games like leaf scramble, studying the age of a tree and learning how...
Seed Collection Workshop
Location: High School Park - Meet at the shed Date: Sunday, October 4th, 2026 Time: 9-9:45pm Join Stu, our restoration manager, and Ryan, TTF's conservation leader, for a morning of learning best practices around collecting, processing, and storing native seeds to...
FHSP Book Club 2026-2027
Our book club runs every other month for the duration of the school year. Check back for future dates for January, March, and May. WEDNESDAY, September 23, 2026 at 7:00pm Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans...
2026 Summer (and Fall!) Music Series
Come Enjoy Summer Music at High School Park!Saturday, June 6, 6 PM. Prester & Samargia Quintet, Funky Fusion + World Jazz *Sunday*, July 12, 5 PM. FV3, Blues (Township Sponsored Event) Saturday, July 25, 6 PM. Ken Ulansey, Dave Posmontier, and Phyllis Chappell...
Liberty Bird Alliance Bird Walks
Currently there are no bird walks scheduled for fall 2026 at High School Park. Check out The Liberty Bird Alliance calendar: https://libertybirdalliance.org/events/ to find other local parks where you can do some bird watching with fellow birdies. Enjoy!
Climate Circle Cafe
On Monday, October 5th at 7:00 pm, guest speaker, Alison Macrina, the Executive Director of the Library Freedom Project, will talk about how the demands of AI impact our health and the health of our planet. This event takes place at the Elkins Park Library. To sign...
The Art of Soil
DATE: Saturday, October 3 TIME: 1-3PM Location: High School Park, Tookany Creek Outdoor Classroom DESCRIPTION: Prehistoric humans made their paint from rocks and soil, and we are still creating art with these rich colors today. In this workshop, you will learn how to...
Trees from Roots to Shoots – Briar Bush
Location: High School Park at the New Tookany Creek Outdoor Classroom Time: Sunday, October 11th from 2-3pm Program Description: Briar Bush will be presenting "Trees from Roots to Shoots," featuring games like leaf scramble, studying the age of a tree and learning how...
Seed Collection Workshop
Location: High School Park - Meet at the shed Date: Sunday, October 4th, 2026 Time: 9-9:45pm Join Stu, our restoration manager, and Ryan, TTF's conservation leader, for a morning of learning best practices around collecting, processing, and storing native seeds to...
FHSP Book Club 2026-2027
Our book club runs every other month for the duration of the school year. Check back for future dates for January, March, and May. WEDNESDAY, September 23, 2026 at 7:00pm Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans...
2026 Summer (and Fall!) Music Series
Come Enjoy Summer Music at High School Park!Saturday, June 6, 6 PM. Prester & Samargia Quintet, Funky Fusion + World Jazz *Sunday*, July 12, 5 PM. FV3, Blues (Township Sponsored Event) Saturday, July 25, 6 PM. Ken Ulansey, Dave Posmontier, and Phyllis Chappell...
Our History
Founded in 1995 on the grounds of the Cheltenham High School plex.
Rebuilding & Development
Maintaining the Park
In 2007, at FHSP’s request, Cheltenham Township received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This enabled us to commission a detailed restoration plan for High School Park. High School Park is also built and maintained with input from FHSP volunteers, township personnel, business owners and other residents.
We’re a work in progress and you can help!
Riparian Zone
Entrances
Signage & Lighting
Culture
Arts in Our Park
Annual Festival
Arts in the Park is a one-day arts festival sponsored by Friends of High School Park, and held at High School Park in the heart of Elkins Park, PA .
Join us in a natural “theater” for our outdoor music series, summertime artist installations, and annual arts festival
