Join effort to reach the rivers
The Schuylkill and Delaware gave the city life. Reconnecting can improve its future.
By Rachel Vassar
The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 6, 2009
While it's not always readily apparent, Philadelphia was located here because of its rivers. The city streets were laid out as a grid linking one river, the Delaware, to the other, the Schuylkill. In the early days, the riverfronts served as common areas for public use and enjoyment. They also became gateways of commerce and industry, helping Philadelphia grow.
But as manufacturing declined in the second half of the 20th century, large swaths of the rivers' banks fell into neglect, creating a physical and psychological barrier between citizens and the riverfronts. Today, our riverfronts are known better for failed projects, land speculation, and big-box stores than they are for public enjoyment.
But the potential for a vibrant, publicly accessible riverfront remains. The Coalition for Philadelphia Riverfronts sees that potential, and we're working toward a riverfront revival.
Comprising nearly 40 groups from riverfront neighborhoods throughout the city, we are dedicated to improving the quality of Philadelphia's riverfronts by establishing an urban, high-quality, continuous, and publicly accessible greenway along the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers. We are announcing a new campaign to accomplish that this afternoon.
A greenway typically contains open space and a trail for walking, jogging, and biking, providing environmental and health benefits. We are advocating that riverfront greenways become citywide policy. And the same high standards should be applied to all riverfront neighborhoods, with sensible exceptions for active port and industrial uses.
Recent signs of a revival along the rivers point to a new direction for the city. New waterfront access along trails, such as in the Schuylkill Banks area and on the northern portion of the city's Delaware riverfront, shows that these can be great gathering places. And the broad public participation in the process that created the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware showed how fervently Philadelphians want to see the potential of their riverfronts realized.
But challenges remain. While some areas of the city's central and northern Delaware riverfront already have zoning in place to reserve space for the greenway, the standards vary by Council district. The city should establish greenway standards that are applied equitably to all neighborhoods and reflect national best practices.
An urban, high-quality, continuous greenway is a key investment in Philadelphia's future. We know from the experience of other communities that greenways reinvigorate a city, increase public health through access to recreation, improve water quality, attract new businesses, and enhance the quality of life. Neighborhood and advocacy groups - including the Complete the Schuylkill River Trail Coalition, the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, and others - are already creating ways for the public to reach the rivers in their own neighborhoods, and the Coalition for Philadelphia Riverfronts exists to support and unite these efforts.
A region's relationship with its waterways is a reflection of its progress and growth. It's time for Philadelphia to start moving forward.
Rachel Vassar is the Philadelphia outreach coordinator for PennFuture. She can be contacted at vassar@pennfuture.org.
But as manufacturing declined in the second half of the 20th century, large swaths of the rivers' banks fell into neglect, creating a physical and psychological barrier between citizens and the riverfronts. Today, our riverfronts are known better for failed projects, land speculation, and big-box stores than they are for public enjoyment.
But the potential for a vibrant, publicly accessible riverfront remains. The Coalition for Philadelphia Riverfronts sees that potential, and we're working toward a riverfront revival.
Comprising nearly 40 groups from riverfront neighborhoods throughout the city, we are dedicated to improving the quality of Philadelphia's riverfronts by establishing an urban, high-quality, continuous, and publicly accessible greenway along the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers. We are announcing a new campaign to accomplish that this afternoon.
A greenway typically contains open space and a trail for walking, jogging, and biking, providing environmental and health benefits. We are advocating that riverfront greenways become citywide policy. And the same high standards should be applied to all riverfront neighborhoods, with sensible exceptions for active port and industrial uses.
Recent signs of a revival along the rivers point to a new direction for the city. New waterfront access along trails, such as in the Schuylkill Banks area and on the northern portion of the city's Delaware riverfront, shows that these can be great gathering places. And the broad public participation in the process that created the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware showed how fervently Philadelphians want to see the potential of their riverfronts realized.
But challenges remain. While some areas of the city's central and northern Delaware riverfront already have zoning in place to reserve space for the greenway, the standards vary by Council district. The city should establish greenway standards that are applied equitably to all neighborhoods and reflect national best practices.
An urban, high-quality, continuous greenway is a key investment in Philadelphia's future. We know from the experience of other communities that greenways reinvigorate a city, increase public health through access to recreation, improve water quality, attract new businesses, and enhance the quality of life. Neighborhood and advocacy groups - including the Complete the Schuylkill River Trail Coalition, the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, and others - are already creating ways for the public to reach the rivers in their own neighborhoods, and the Coalition for Philadelphia Riverfronts exists to support and unite these efforts.
A region's relationship with its waterways is a reflection of its progress and growth. It's time for Philadelphia to start moving forward.
Rachel Vassar is the Philadelphia outreach coordinator for PennFuture. She can be contacted at vassar@pennfuture.org.