Out on the Trail Update
It has been a spectacular fall season! Landscaping work by All Seasons, the landscape contractor managed by the City of Philadelphia to help maintain Schuylkill Banks, completed lawn aeration, seeding and topdressing during early October. SRDC finished our programming season with the last boat and kayak tours of the season, and by the time it was all over, we realized we had also engaged a record number of 28 volunteer groups on the trail during the 2017 season, involving nearly 600 individuals in cleanup activities.
New plantings were added at Locust and Market Street areas by Assistant Operations Manager Blaise Syrnick and volunteers through a Parks and Recreation “P3” planting grant, as well as successful cutback of the boardwalk planting areas along the trail in partnership with University City District’s Greenworks program.
Security cameras are going into place at Locust Street, Walnut Street, Chestnut, Market and Race. These cameras should help to make the Banks a safe and welcoming place for all Philadelphians and visitors. Special thanks to the offices of Council President Darrell Clarke, Kenyatta Johnson of the 2nd Councilmanic District and Parks and Recreation for their financial and administrative support of this important project.
The Grays Ferry segment of trail has been active with fishermen, families and skateboarders! Get down there soon to enjoy the park and reconnect with nature just minutes from Center City.
Bartram’s Mile is also open and active. SRDC and Bartram’s Garden are working with Parks and Recreation to make sure that Philadelphia’s newest gem of riverfront trails is clean, green and safe. Start planning your spring picnics on the Bartram’s mile today!
SRDC continues to need volunteers to help with summer and fall programming, as well as groups for maintenance projects along almost three miles of trail. Contact Zoe Axelrod at 215-309-5523 x105 to schedule a volunteer group or add yourself to our seasonal volunteer email list.
