Category schuylkill

Big plans for the lower banks of the Schuylkill River

 
If you read PhillyUrbanLiving.com regularly, and have kept up with most of my past posts, I mentioned this plan back in 2011 with the title, “Will industrial jobs come back to Philadelphia?”

Well, all I can say is that the city is planning for it; which is a good thing.

In recent years, maybe it was the foresight of the Nutter administration or maybe it was just good timing, I truly feel like the City of Philadelphia is really starting to map out its future … by planning for it. Not only with the help of local experts, but with citizen input as well. Planning for the Central Delaware Waterfront and Philadelphia 2035, are just a few examples of large-scale Philadelphia planning in action.

But why is this plan important enough to blog about?

I think the Lower Schuylkill Master Plan may be one of the most important visions to come about in recent years. Not only for the prospect of it actually happening, but because it connects South/Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods to Center City and University City (neighborhoods that have laid dormant for years, since Philadelphia’s industrial might left town). Therefore, I find that this plan is extremely important for both local jobs and the future strength of those neighborhoods.

It’s a good read, so if you’re super into the details, take some time and see what Philadelphia has planned for the lower banks of the Schuylkill River.

The Delaware River Waterfront is not the only one going through positive changes

I think sometimes people take the Schuylkill Waterfront for granted; I know I do.

Driving down Kelly or West River (aka MLK Drive) is probably one of the nicest stretches of road in our great city. It’s landscaped properly, it has beautiful bridges and scenic hills along its banks, and it’s packed almost daily with runners, bikers, and the like.

In other words, most people take for granted the fact that this area looks so nice these days; but it took a lot of time and effort.

Here are some more efforts taking place to keep the great momentum going along the Schuylkill banks.

Philly wants to expose its “Hidden River”

Grays Ferry Crescent

 
Philadelphia has 2 major rivers that run through it and alongside it: 1) Schuylkill River (Smaller One), and 2) Delaware River (Larger One).

Almost everyone who lives in/around Philadelphia, as well as those who have visited have no doubt seen the Delaware River before; it’s impossible to miss. It’s our “business” river, it separates PA from NJ, all of our major bridges cross over it, and its very wide (almost looking like a small lake in some spots). Believe it or not, not everyone has truly seen or experienced the Schuylkill River.

The word “Schuylkill” actually holds Dutch roots and translates into “Hidden River.” Rightfully so, for being a decent size river it does have a tendency to stay hidden sometimes (unless you frequent its trails or happen to live in Northwest Philadelphia).

Schuylkill River Trail – Center City, Philadelphia

From personal experience growing up in the suburbs, but having lived in Manayunk/Roxborough for the last 10 years, I am kind of shocked that people are not familiar with the Schuylkill River, it’s actual location, and where it goes. Reason being, a good portion of this river through Philadelphia is abutted by industrial facilities owned by DuPont and Sunoco. When residents don’t have a connection to their river, it becomes less of a factor within the surrounding area.

I have blogged before about plans for the SRT biking/jogging trail expansion, as well as for economic plans to transform the Lower Schuylkill into a business/industrial hub. But this latest article focuses more on the recreational potential for the entire Lower Schuylkill District.

Click on the logo to learn more about Schuylkill Banks