Riverfront North Parks Study
Planning for parks and greenways on the Delaware River
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Client: Philadelphia Parks & Recreation; Riverfront North Partnership
Size: 11-mile greenway and 8 parks
Project status: Study completed 2018
Project team: Ground Reconsidered (prime), Langan, 4ward Planning, VJ Associates
The consultant team, led by Ground Reconsidered, prepared a framework to guide future investment and development in Delaware Riverfront parks north of Center City, Philadelphia. Industrial uses dominate the riverfront in this area, hindering neighborhood community and visitor access to the water. The study seeks to reconnect the six north Philadelphia neighborhoods to the river. Eight parks, six of which are existing, are proposed to help make this connection.
Park-by-park programming varies to provide a range of complementary and unique activities. As former industrial sites, contamination will impact physical improvement and programming decisions. A detailed environmental and ecological analysis was compiled to inform the implementation path necessary to realize recommendations, while leveraging the high wildlife potential to positively impact habitat along this riverine corridor. The study provides the necessary framework to ensure park development fulfills the needs of the community, the investment is appropriate and enduring, and the improvements are economically and ecologically sustainable for the future.
