Council calls for Schuylkill trail action

On Thursday, Council also unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings and form a working group of city, state and federal lawmakers and interested parties to look for money to complete the Schuylkill River Trail.

There are nine segments where the trail is incomplete: the 58th Street Connector, Bartram’s Garden Path, Grey’s Ferry Crossing, West Bank Schuylkill River Trail, Locust to South Street Boardwalk, Wissahickon Gateway, Cynwyd Trail Spur, Manayunk Trail Bridge and Ivy Ridge Trail. The cost of completing these projects is estimated at $22 million, and the working group will convene this fall, prior to the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Bill’s consideration before Congress, as Council hopes money can be had via this bill. The working group will also attempt to secure city and state funding.

“The completion of the Schuylkill River Trail would ensure the safety of residents and visitors, enhance Philadelphia’s reputation as an outstanding destination for parks and recreation, and move Philadelphia further along the path of becoming a greener city,” says the resolution, which was sponsored by Councilwoman at-large Blondell Reynolds Brown, 2nd District Councilwoman and Council President Anna Verna, 3rd District Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell and 4th District Councilman Curtis Jones Jr.

Posted by Kellie Patrick Gates