Growing up in South Philadelphia meant winter didn’t need mountains or fancy equipment. Experiencing sledding in South Philly was simply about having snow on the ground, a cardboard box, the lid from a metal trash can, or anything slick enough to slide — and you had a sled.
Before the Stadium District, or now it is known better as the sports complex, became home to today’s Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers, the area was something completely different. For kids across South Philly, it was a massive playground — and winter made it magical.
One of the most unforgettable spots was an area we all knew as “Suicide Hill,” located beside the old JFK Stadium. Long before it was demolished, JFK Stadium was the backdrop for childhood winters, the Army–Navy Game, and the iconic Thrill Show. But for local kids, the real excitement began when the snow fell.
⭐ Walking From South Philly to Suicide Hill: A Winter Ritual
On snowy days, everything began with one sound:
“School Closing Number…” — KYW 1060 AM.
If your number came up, the day was yours.
But before sledding came responsibility. You had to shovel:
- Your house front
- The paved walkway
- Your neighbor’s sidewalk (often for a few dollars)
When the work was done, the real fun started.
We walked everywhere in those days:
- Through Marconi Plaza
- Down Broad Street
- Past Packer Park
- Toward the Lakes at FDR Park
- Across Broad & Pattison
- And finally up to Suicide Hill at JFK Stadium
We didn’t have expensive sleds. You had whatever slid:
- Cardboard boxes
- Flattened refrigerator cartons
- Trash-can lids
- Large plastic trays
- Anything with a smooth bottom
If it moved downhill, we used it.
There were no rules. No helmets. No fences. No liability signs. Just South Philly kids and a hill that felt enormous back then.
⭐ Other Secret Sledding Spots Only South Philadelphians Remember
Not everyone recalls this, but alongside the Walt Whitman Bridge, on the Broad Street side, were smaller hills perfect for quick runs. They weren’t high — but in the city, they were some of the best we had.
When we were freezing, we stopped at The Steer Inn to warm up. The cheeseburgers and fries cost next to nothing. It was the same era you could walk to Gino’s at 20th & Moyamensing and get a cheeseburger for 15 cents.
South Philly winters weren’t just about sledding — they were about community, warmth, and the simple joys of growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood.
⭐ From JFK Stadium to the Modern Stadium District: How South Philly Changed
JFK Stadium eventually fell into disrepair and was torn down. In its place rose what we now call the Philadelphia Sports Complex, home to:
- Lincoln Financial Field
- Citizens Bank Park
- Wells Fargo Center
- Xfinity Live
The rolling, icy hills of our childhood are long gone — replaced by parking lots, arenas, and entertainment venues.
But the memories remain vivid.
⭐ How Winter in Philadelphia Has Changed
Philadelphia winters today feel different:
- Less snow accumulation
- Faster cleanup
- Fewer sledding spots
- More traffic congestion
- Increased slip-and-fall hazards on untreated sidewalks
- Greater risks in store parking lots and intersections
And while the city has evolved, winter dangers remain.
⭐ Modern Winter Safety in Philadelphia — Stay Alert
Even though this blog is built on nostalgia, winter weather still creates real risks today. Modern injury hazards include:
- Icy sidewalks in South Philly rowhome neighborhoods
- Parking-lot slip-and-falls at grocery and retail stores
- Poorly treated steps and walkways
- Black ice near SEPTA stations and bus stops
- Snow-related car accidents on Broad Street, Pattison Avenue, Oregon Avenue, and I-95
If you or someone you love is hurt because a property owner failed to treat their walkways, it’s important to learn your rights.
PhillyLegalConnect can help you get connected to a trusted Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at The Oakes Firm.
⭐ Frequently Asked Questions About Sledding in South Philly
Q: Where was Suicide Hill in South Philadelphia?
A: Suicide Hill was located beside the old JFK Stadium in South Philly. It was a popular sledding spot for neighborhood kids before the stadium was demolished and the modern Sports Complex was built in its place.
Q: Did kids really sled using cardboard and makeshift sleds?
A: Absolutely. Many South Philly kids didn’t have store-bought sleds. We used cardboard boxes, flattened refrigerator cartons, trash-can lids, plastic trays, and anything else that would slide down the hill. It was part of the city’s winter tradition and creativity.
Q: Can people still sled in Philadelphia today?
A: While classic hills like Suicide Hill are gone, families still sled in local parks when we get enough snow. However, today’s winters bring other risks too — like icy sidewalks, untreated steps, and snow-related car accidents. It’s important to stay careful and know your rights if someone else’s negligence causes an injury.
👤 About the Author — Thomas G. Oakes
Thomas G. Oakes is a lifelong Philadelphian and the founder of PhillyLegalConnect.com and PhillyLegalNews.com. Tom served as an official court reporter in both the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he held the highest level of court-reporting certifications available in the United States.
After leaving the courthouse, Tom continued his work as a freelance court reporter and principal of Thomas G. Oakes Associates, a national court reporting and litigation support firm, for more than 33 years, working on complex cases across the country.
Tom is also a nationally recognized leader in courtroom technology and trial presentation. He has taught technology and trial advocacy at Temple University’s LL.M. in Trial Advocacy program and received special recognition from Temple University for his contributions to teaching courtroom technology to judges and lawyers, including programs connected with the American Bar Association.
He was a founder of the FDCC’s “Fed Tech U” program, which focused on training trial lawyers in the effective use of courtroom technology, and he also taught at the FDCC’s deposition boot camp, educating young lawyers on the importance of “making the record.” Tom has lectured nationally and internationally for the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), the Philadelphia Bar Association, and many other groups of judges, lawyers, law students, and corporate clients.
Through PhillyLegalConnect and PhillyLegalNews, Tom brings together his decades of courtroom experience, litigation-technology expertise, and deep Philadelphia roots to help the community better understand personal-injury law, the legal system, and the rapidly evolving world of legal tech.
⚖️ Disclaimer
Disclaimer: PhillyLegalConnect does not provide legal services and is not a law firm. We provide educational information and help connect individuals with qualified personal injury attorneys, including The Oakes Firm. Nothing in this article should be considered legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney–client relationship. If you need legal advice about a specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
