## 11th & Pike Playground, Reading PA: What to Know Before You Go

The 11th & Pike Playground anchors a large green space in northeast Reading with ball courts, open fields, a seasonal splash pad, and an on-site recreation center that runs youth programs. It’s easy to find (1401 N 11th St, Reading, PA 19604; 40.356898, -75.9146035) and large enough—just over six acres—to spread out on busy afternoons. [ PA](https://www.readingpa.gov/playground-map?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### Quick facts (verified)

– **Location:** 1401 N 11th St, Reading, PA 19604. (https://www..com/live-map/directions/11th-and-pike-playground-n-11th-st-1401-reading?to=place.w.186188180.1861816260.174660&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **Size:** ~**6.23 acres** (listed by the City of Reading). [ PA](https://www.readingpa.gov/playground-map?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **On-site programming:** The **11th & Pike Recreation Center** operates at the park and offers after-school and summer playground programs for city youth. (https://www.readingrec.org/rec-centers.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **Core amenities:** **Playground equipment, basketball court(s), and sports field**. [ For PA](https://www.goodforpa.com/park/11th-and-pike-playground/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **Water play:** **Seasonal splash-pad** water features are run by the City of Reading each summer. (Dates can vary by year; see “Seasonal notes” below.) (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/reading-playground-splash-pads-open-035900385.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Why families use this park

### Room to play, with multiple activity zones
City listings confirm space for **basketball and field sports** in addition to the playground structures. That mix keeps a wide age range engaged—shoot hoops, kick a ball on the field, then rotate to the play area. [ For PA](https://www.goodforpa.com/park/11th-and-pike-playground/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### A working rec center on site
The **11th & Pike Recreation Center** extends the park’s usefulness beyond open play. According to the Reading Recreation Commission, it offers **daily after-school hours during the school year** and a **summer playground program**, plus evening and weekend use by leagues. If you rely on structured activities or a supervised setting, that’s a real advantage. (Program offerings can change; verify current details directly with the Commission.) (https://www.readingrec.org/rec-centers.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### Seasonal splash-pad
Reading’s official seasonal notices include **11th & Pike** in the list of parks with splash-pad features when water play is activated for summer. This is one of the easiest ways for younger kids to cool off without entering a pool. Expect push-button operation and timed shutoff windows similar to other Reading installations—exact hours are announced seasonally. (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/reading-playground-splash-pads-open-035900385.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Planning tips that actually help

### 1) Aim for shoulder times
Ball fields and courts mean peak congestion around organized activities. If your priority is the play structures or splash zone, **late morning or late afternoon** (outside league hours) generally yields more space. (Programming is active most weekdays, per the Rec Center’s standard schedule.) (https://www.readingrec.org/rec-centers.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### 2) Know what’s here—and what isn’t
Public park listings specifically mention **playground**, **basketball**, and a **sports field**. If you need a skate feature, tennis, or a dog run, you’ll want to choose a different Reading park. (Third-party sites sometimes add extra claims; rely on the City and statewide park directories for the definitive amenity list.) [ For PA](https://www.goodforpa.com/park/11th-and-pike-playground/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### 3) Bring sun and splash essentials in summer
When the splash-pad is active, pack quick-dry clothing, water shoes, and a towel. The City turns water features on for the **summer season**, typically announced around late May—with the caveat that exact **start/stop dates can change year-to-year** based on staffing and maintenance. Check the City’s updates each season. (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/reading-playground-splash-pads-open-035900385.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### 4) Consider nearby playground hops
If you’re making a morning of it, there are **other small playgrounds a short distance away** (e.g., **9th & Marion**; **6th & Amity**). These are listed in statewide directories and can be good backups if one spot is busy. [ For PA](https://www.goodforpa.com/park/11th-and-pike-playground/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Accessibility & inclusivity notes

– **Flat approaches and broad hard-surface areas** are typical around court and field edges here. However, **specific ADA features (ramp styles, inclusive swings, surfacing types)** aren’t enumerated in the City’s amenity list for this site. If accessibility details are critical to your visit, contact the **Reading Recreation Commission** before you go to confirm current accommodations. [ PA](https://www.readingpa.gov/playground-map?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– The park’s mix of **free outdoor play** and **low- or no-cost city programming** helps broaden access for families—especially during summer playground program hours run by the Rec Center. (Enrollment details and eligibility are managed by the Commission.) (https://www.readingrec.org/rec-centers.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Seasonal notes & potential changes to watch

– **Splash-pad operations:** Historically announced around **late May** for summer; **11th & Pike** is among the sites with water play. Always verify the **current season’s start/end dates** and any temporary closures before heading out. (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/reading-playground-splash-pads-open-035900385.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **Program schedules:** After-school and summer program windows are published by the **Reading Recreation Commission** and can change with staffing or funding. Check the Rec Center’s page or call ahead. (https://www.readingrec.org/rec-centers.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Practical details

– **Exact address for GPS:** **1401 N 11th St, Reading, PA 19604**. Entering the coordinates (**40.356898, -75.9146035**) also pins the correct block. (https://www..com/live-map/directions/11th-and-pike-playground-n-11th-st-1401-reading?to=place.w.186188180.1861816260.174660&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **Park size:** **~6.23 acres** (official City map). This helps set expectations—big enough for fields and courts, small enough to keep sightlines manageable with kids. [ PA](https://www.readingpa.gov/playground-map?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **Amenities you can count on:** **Playground equipment**, **basketball**, **sports field**, with **seasonal water play** when activated by the City. [ For PA](https://www.goodforpa.com/park/11th-and-pike-playground/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## What’s unique here (vs. other Reading parks)

– **Rec center + playground combo:** Not every playground sits beside an active Rec Center. That pairing creates a **hub for programs, leagues, and informal play**—useful if you want more than a quick playground stop. (https://www.readingrec.org/rec-centers.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– **Large neighborhood footprint:** At **~6 acres**, 11th & Pike is larger than many pocket playgrounds in the city grid, which is why you see **multi-use fields and courts** alongside the play structures. [ PA](https://www.readingpa.gov/playground-map?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Data confidence & what might be outdated

Everything above is drawn from the **City of Reading** (playground map and Rec Center pages), a **statewide park directory** entry naming the specific amenities at 11th & Pike, and **seasonal press** noting which Reading parks run splash-pads. **Hours of operation and specific equipment lists can change**, and the City publishes seasonal updates—**verify the current season’s splash-pad status and any program changes** before visiting. [ PA](https://www.readingpa.gov/playground-map?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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### Sources
City of Reading playground map (acreage and site identification); Reading Recreation Commission pages (Rec Center operations); GoodForPA park directory (amenities); Reading Eagle seasonal notice (splash-pad activation). [ PA](https://www.readingpa.gov/playground-map?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

*Note: I’ve excluded park “hours,” vending, and extra features unless supported by official or durable sources. If you need those specifics, I’ll verify directly with the Recreation Commission and update.*