Photo: Looming high over the Schuylkill riverbank below the broad meadow at Bartram’s Garden is a massive crane. Its purpose is to shift portions of the new expanded dock being tethered to the massive piles sunk into the riverbed there.
New dock under construction
By Globe Times Staff
Hundreds of Southwest residents and friends from communities around the city have been eagerly awaiting the start of the popular boating season on the Schuylkill River. Their focus, of course, is the fleet river craft awaiting them at the launch area at Bartram’s Garden at 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.
Hopefully, within the next couple of months, a new dock will be ready which will allow kayak paddlers and rowboaters to access their craft more easily and safely. Portions of the new installation will sit lower on the water to facilitate both the launching of kayaks and rowboats and their recovery.
Right now, the construction of the dock is underway, with a massive crane shifting sections of the new dock and tethering them to the large piles on which the dock will be positioned. The deep-seated piles are necessary because the Schuylkill is tidal at Bartram’s Garden.
Bartram’s Garden grounds are open for visitors from dawn to dusk every day. The Welcome Center is open Monday-Saturday, 9AM-4PM, and restrooms are open daily. Free parking is available at our main entrance at 5400 Lindbergh Blvd, as well as on 51st St. and 56th St.
For the latest information on the startup and scheduling of river boating opportunities, visit: www.bartramsgarden.org
