Trail expansion aims to open Delaware waterfront through recreational opportunity

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Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney (left) and other elected and appointed officials ceremoniously break ground for the Kensington and Tacony trail. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney (left) and other elected and appointed officials ceremoniously break ground for the Kensington and Tacony trail. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Construction of the first phase of the K and T trail will soon be underway in Northeast Philadelphia. 

The 1.15-mile trail from the Frankford Boat Launch to Magee Avenue will follow the path of the former Kensington and Tacony Railroad. It includes a section already completed through Lardner’s Point Park.

kandttrailThe first phase of the Kensington and Tacony Trail will extend from the Frankford Boat Launch to Magee Avenue. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Mayor Jim Kenney said Thursday the city is working to improve Delaware riverfront access with efforts such as the trail expansion.

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“For too many years, the waterfront has been cut off from people. Because of industry and because of other things, it’s hard for people in the neighborhoods … to access the water,” he said. “Everyone is drawn to the water.  From South Philadelphia to Penn’s Landing to Fishtown to and Kensington and up into the Northeast, as far as we can go. To connect this makes all the sense in the world.”

During groundbreaking ceremonies, Kenney said the trail expansion is all part of improving recreation centers.

“I know friends of mine who coach little league football and baseball who are sometimes embarrassed where they have to host home games at fields, where they have to put kerchiefs on their faces to keep the dust out,” he said.

Philadelphia’s children should have recreation facilities on par with those in the suburbs, Kenney said.

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