DCNR officials joined Delaware River Waterfront Corporation representatives and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter recently to open Pier 68, the third permanent pier park to open on the Delaware River Waterfront in four years.

A strong proponent of the piers, trails and river access along the Delaware, DCNR contributed $500,000 to the latest pier project along the river.

Mike Piaskowski, section chief for Landscape Partnerships and Educational Services section within DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, addressed the October 1 gathering at the half-acre pier at the end of Pier 70 Boulevard at the Delaware River.

The structure offers visitors a place to relax and enjoy the distinctive views of the city skyline and the river; to learn about the tidal ecology of the Delaware River and its watershed; to fish and just relax.

Each new park built by DRWC is tailored specifically to its location and to public input from the neighborhood, in this case, Pennsport. While each park is unique in its objectives and designs, they all share cutting-edge landscape architectural design, say supporters.

"Pier 68 is a stunning example of what can be achieved when public-private partnerships are formed to help Pennsylvanians access and enjoy their waterways and other natural resources," said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, speaking in support of the project. “Transforming Philadelphia's waterfront into a world-class recreational asset requires committed partners and we are proud to be counted among them."

Pier 68 was designed in response to DRWC’s long-term programmatic goals for the area and shaped by the community’s desires, which were shared in multiple public meetings beginning in February 2014.

“Pier 68 is the third permanent, high-quality, public greenspace to open along the Delaware River Waterfront over the last few years,” said Mayor Nutter, speaking at the dedication ceremony. “This park, and the others like it, provides citizens who live in densely populated neighborhoods with relatively few parks the opportunity to benefit from our changing waterfront and enjoy recreation and relaxation.

“It also serves as an important point in the Delaware River Trail, which will eventually become a part of the Circuit and the East Coast Greenway. Not only will these parks connect a neighborhood to a park, but it will also connect our city to the region. Many thanks to DRWC for its leadership and all of the partners, including the city, for making this project possible.”

DRWC President Thomas Corcoran said: “With the opening of Pier 68, we’ve made the next step in advancing our goals laid out in the Master Plan for the Central Delaware. This new park provides much-needed permanent public access and greenspace in South Philadelphia and focuses on a recreational activity, fishing, which was identified in numerous public meetings as an amenity needed along the waterfront.”

A recent land acquisition means that DRWC is one step away from building out the trail to its full specifications, including separate bike and pedestrian facilities, beautiful landscaping, and distinctive furnishings and lighting.

Natural Lands Trust, the region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, has played a critical role in helping to negotiate and acquire these parcels, and will continue to work with DRWC to acquire the final parcel and eventually create interpretive design and programmatic elements to enhance the entire southern section of the Waterfront.

The final trail will not only connect two parks in the south, but it will eventually span much of the Central Delaware River Waterfront, allowing residents to travel north-south along the Delaware River.

The trail will connect with the East Coast Greenway and the Spring Garden Greenway, making it an integral part of The Circuit. Pier 68 also serves a community that has traditionally been cut off from the waterfront and creates a safe place for waterfront recreation.

(Reprinted from the October 7 DCNR Resource newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy, bottom of the page.)

10/12/2015