Schuylkill River Trail Gets $3 Million in State Money for Southward Extension
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday announced $3 million in state funding to aid the continued expansion of the Schuylkill River Trail.
The state grant will fund the connection between Bartram’s Mile and Passyunk Point, a 2.25-mile section that will extend the Schuylkill River trail farther south than it’s ever been before and open up more green space in Southwest Philadelphia.
“With the help of our investment, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation will be able to reclaim and redevelop brownfield sites along the river,” Wolf said. “Turning a former eyesore and blighted area into a new and accessible space for city residents, we will create a valuable resource in a currently underserved neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia.”
The state is kicking in nearly a quarter of the $13 million cost to extend the trail to Passyunk Point, which is where Passyunk Avenue crosses the river between Girard Estates in South Philly and Elmwood in Southwest Philadelphia. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is funding the grant, will pay for acquisition, remediation, site work, and construction for the first two phases of the project.
“The Schuylkill River Trail project is a great opportunity for Philadelphia to create a one-of-a-kind experience that will encourage thousands of community members to get outside and enjoy some of the beauty our city has to offer,” state Rep. Jordan Harris said. “Connecting more neighborhoods to each other via the trail will only increase the neighborly bond Philadelphians share and open them up to new experiences they otherwise may not have had.” State Sen. Anthony Williams and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) secretary Cindy Dunn were also in attendance at today’s announcement.