Philadelphia Race Street Pier Opening May 12th

Back in my Manhattan days I swooned over the Highline - the elevated-train-track-turned-park.  My pulse has recently started to quicken because Philadelphia is getting something reminiscent of my beloved Highline.  May 12th - less than one week - will begin a new era for the Philadelphia waterfront.

Artist Rendition of  the Race Street Pier

The Race Street Pier will turn an old, dilapidated pier into a city park complete with 30+ swamp oak trees, flowers, grass and benches.  This peninsula park will allow people to stroll along the Delaware River while enjoying a new view of the city skyline. 

Of course, we Philadelphians know that accessing the Delaware means having to get over or under Interstate 95.  (Don't even get me started on how city planners blocked easy access to the river "back in the day" when they put several lanes of an interstate between it and Center City.)  Fortunately, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) seems to have a solid plan for making the I-95 crossing more fitting for the new pier park. 

According to the DRWC web site

It is only a 4 minute walk from the corner of Race and Second Streets to the river, but most Philadelphians rarely make the turn and don’t realize how close their waterfront actually is. A combination of design elements are proposed to enhance connectivity to the river and improve the pedestrian and bike experience including a dedicated bike lane, signage, benches, bollards, curb realignments, increased sidewalk widths, crosswalks, plantings and a dramatic light screen along the right-side wall of the underpasses.

The  web site has "before and after" pictures of the Race Street Connector. 

On May 11th, the day before the big opening, you can get a sneak preview of the Race Street Pier - for $150.  This "casual chic" party, called A Festive Evening on the Water's Edge, will be from 6p - 9p on the new pier - rain or shine.  Tickets can be purchased on the DRWC web site and include complimentary valet parking, entertainment, food, drinks, and fireworks.

This is an exciting time for the Philadelphia waterfront.  Mayor Michael Nutter is quoted on the DRWC web site as saying, "The development of the Central Delaware is a project that will reinvent Philadelphia’s relationship with its waterfront in 10, 20, 30 years from now."  Fortunately, we won't have to wait years for the Race Street Pier.  We have just a few days to wait.  I know I'm counting down.  If the pier is anything like the New York City Highline, it will be my new favorite place in Philadelphia.

Before

  

Before

Before

 Keep up with the Race Street Pier via Facebook: Friends of Race Street Pier