Government funding has been approved to study the extension of the Southwest portion of the Schuylkill River Trail. The area under consideration runs from the southern border of Bartram’s Garden at the foot of 56th Street over to Passyunk Avenue – about six-tenths of a mile.
The trail can presently be said to terminate at the elegant Bartram Plaza where 56th Street ends at the river. From there the river’s edge is inaccessible – occupied by demolished factory properties and waste land.
“The Schuylkill River Trail provides a great place for my neighbors in Southwest Philly to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors,” said State Rep. Joanna McClinton in announcing the grant. “Securing these types of resources helps preserve and expand upon our outdoor areas, while at the same time helping to attract new people to our area.”
Rep. McClinton had earlier advised a $250.000 grant to improve the Bartram Mile trail connecting the north end of Bartram’s Garden with Gray’s Ferry Bridge.
“As we face challenging times, our outdoor spaces provide an opportunity for people to get out of the house and spend time with others safely while still abiding by CDC guidelines,” added Rep. Marie Donatucci.
Funding was made possible under a variety of state and federal sources through the State Department of Conservation and the Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program.
(Information for this article was provided by Chris Caracino, Multimedia Specialist for the PA House of Representatives, and condensed by Ted Behr)
