Mayor Nutter, City Councilman Oh Partner on Legislation to Toughen Penalties for Vandalism on Public Art and Monuments

Philadelphia, May 31, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter has offered legislation, introduced today by City Councilman David Oh, that toughens the penalties, both fines and potential incarceration, on those who vandalize or damage public art and memorials, including those that honor military, police, firefighters and other national defense or public safety subjects.

On Memorial Day, Mayor Nutter announced during ceremonies at memorials to fallen veterans that he would send this legislation to City Council this week.

“I’ve been in regular contact with the veterans who maintain the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, the Korean and Vietnam veterans memorials and others monuments and other veterans groups about how we can better maintain these places that honor heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Their stories about vandalism and damage at these and other sacred memorials raised serious questions,” said Mayor Nutter. “Councilman Oh and I want to send a very strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. We’re doing that by substantially increasing the penalties for vandalizing or damaging these monuments and public works of art and by prohibiting people from using their skateboards, rollerblades and bikes in a way that damages these memorials.”

The bill prohibits skateboarding, rollerblading and bicycling on monuments and public art and would make this new offense punishable with a maximum fine of $2,000, up to 90 days in jail for adults and confiscation of the skateboard, rollerblades or bike. The ordinance also eliminates the lower penalty level for ethnic intimidation and institutional vandalism, making all violations subject to a maximum $2,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

“Philadelphia is a city with deep historical and cultural roots, and protecting our public spaces, historical landmarks, memorials and outdoor public artwork is essential to maintaining that aspect of our city’s image” said Councilman At-Large David Oh. “I was happy to introduce an ordinance today on behalf of Mayor Nutter so that we can better combat vandalism and public nuisances around these precious assets that are meant to be enjoyed by those who call Philadelphia their home as well as visitors to our great city.”

Mayor Nutter To Kick-Off the Fun Safe Philly Summer Campaign

Launches Fun Safe Philly Summer Service and Reading Challenges.

Philadelphia, May 23, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the launch of the Fun Safe Philly Summer campaign, a summer-long effort to involve and engage Philadelphia youth in structured programming, drop-in activities and the Summer Meals Program. The kick-off coincides with the update to the youth programming website, which will serve as a one-stop information hub for available summer activities for all ages.

“Summer is certainly a time to relax and enjoy a break from school. But it is also an invaluable opportunity for our young people to be active and engaged in fun and enriching programming,” said Mayor Nutter. “Fun Safe Philly Summer is an all-encompassing campaign aimed at promoting available structured programs and encouraging involvement in drop-in activities, as a way to ensure young people are spending their time productively.”

Fun Safe Philly Summer is collaborative project across City agencies, departments and external partners.
For summer 2012, the City of Philadelphia has identified more than 15,000 structured summer program spots for youth, including up to 8,000 slots at 140 Department of Parks and Recreation sites. Paired with structured programming, the City is also promoting participation in drop-in activities at recreation centers, public libraries, pools, KEYSPOT computer centers and more.

“This summer, the City of Philadelphia is taking a proactive approach to helping kids and teens create their own summer program,” said Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources Michael DiBernardinis . “Drop-in activities, like visiting one of the 54 public library branches, swimming at one of 70 public pools or playing at a neighborhood recreation center, can be enriching and safe options for spending your summer.”

Susan Slawson, First Deputy Commissioner for Recreation and Programs said, “The Department of Parks and Recreation offers affordable, fun and safe summer opportunities for youth of all ages in neighborhoods throughout the City. Our programs serve the diverse needs of our youth no matter their interest; such as the arts, athletics, outdoor education or computer classes.”

As part of Fun Safe Philly Summer, the City is working with Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) on the Save Summer Jobs program. Save Summer Jobs identifies and reaches out to local businesses to create jobs or internships for young people.

Mayor Nutter also introduced the Summer Service and Summer Reading Challenge, which offers incentives to young people who read and/or volunteer this summer. Challenge participants can pick up and drop off forms at any branch of the Free Public Library. The challenges are:
• The Summer Reading Challenge is open to youth ages 5 to 18. Participants will read three books and complete book reports.
• The Summer Service Challenge is open to older youth, ages 14-18. Participants will volunteer at least three service events, completing no less than 10 service hours.

Participants, who complete the challenges, will be entered in to a raffle drawing including donated tickets from the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Philadelphia Zoo, as well as American Idol concert tickets and WWE Wrestling tickets. Each winner will reach two tickets. The grand prize is two tickets to Power 99’s 30th Annual Powerhouse concert in October.

“Fun Safe Philly Summer capitalizes on the importance of providing young people with positive and engaging activities. This will not only help to keep youth engaged but also safe during the summer months,” said Philadelphia Youth Commission Executive Director Jamira Burley. “As a commission that represents the interest of youth between the ages of 12 and 23, the Philadelphia Youth Commission recognizes the need to provide youth with various forms of engagement. When young people are involved in these kinds of activities, they are more likely to stay engaged in positive activities throughout the year.”

The Fun Safe Philly Summer campaign also encourages enrollment in the Summer Food Service Program, a federally funded program that serves breakfast, lunch and snacks to children 18 years of age and younger and mentally and physically challenged persons who are enrolled in specialized programs. The Summer Food Service Program begins on June 18, 2012.

In 2011, the Summer Food Service Program served 2.8 million meals to about 90,000 Philadelphians. However, an additional 41,000 children were eligible to receive food services but were not registered. Meals are served at nearly 1,000 sites across the City, including recreation centers, playgrounds, Play Streets, summer camps, community organizations and schools and daycare centers.

Mayor Nutter also reminded parents, caregivers and youth that the summer curfew will go into effect when the school year ends on June 14, 2012. The curfew times are as follows:
• 13 years old and younger, 9 pm;
• 14 and 15, 10 pm; and
• 16 and 17, 11 pm.

For more information on summer youth programming options and for a full list of program start dates and times, call 3-1-1 or log on to www.phila.gov/youthprograms. Follow Fun Safe Philly Summer on Twitter @PhillySummer or on Tumblr at www.funsafephillysummer.tumblr.com.

MAYOR NUTTER TO KICK-OFF FUN SAFE PHILLY SUMMER CAMPAIGN

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
Susan Slawson, Deputy Commissioner, Recreation and Programs
Jamira Burley, Executive Director, Philadelphia Youth Commission
The Phanatic, Philadelphia Phillies
Swoop, Philadelphia Eagles

WHAT: Mayor Nutter will announce the Fun Safe Philly Summer campaign, a summer-long effort by the Mayor’s Office, City departments and community partners to engage Philadelphia’s youth in structured programming, drop-in activities and to encourage registration for summer meals. Mayor Nutter will also announce the Summer Reading and Service Challenge program.
Information on youth summer programming and summer meals is available via 3-1-1 and www.philagov/youthprograms.

WHERE: City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room, Room 202

WHEN: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 11:00 am TODAY

Mayor Nutter Announces Green 2015 Pilot Program to Green Schools and Recreation Centers

New public-private partnership envisions major expansion of public green space

Philadelphia, May 10, 2012– In a major step forward for the “greening” of public spaces in Philadelphia, Mayor Michael A. Nutter formally announced today that the City and a national conservation group will partner with the School District to green as many as 10 school yards and recreation centers starting this spring.

The new groundbreaking initiative marks the second phase of the City’s innovative Green 2015 Action Plan. It was announced at the William Dick Elementary School, which will partner with the adjacent Hank Gathers Recreation Center in North Philadelphia on a pilot project to significantly expand green space for public use. In addition to the School District, Green2015 partners include the Philadelphia Water Department, the Department of Parks and Recreation, national conservation non-profit The Trust for Public Land and the Mural Arts Program.

“This is an exciting collaboration for the City of Philadelphia,” said Mayor Nutter. “Working with our partners, we will be able to green places where our children play. Making Philadelphia the greenest city in America involves infrastructure changes and creating healthy, sustainable spaces. However, it is also about educating our children about the environment so that they are prepared to care for it in the future. I am confident these improved school yards and recreation centers will do all of the above.”

The partnership will initially focus on redesigning and redeveloping the William Dick Elementary Schoolyard, Hank Gathers Recreation Center and Collazo Park, with additional recreation centers and schoolyards to be announced in the coming months based on the success of the pilot. One major advantage of the partnership is that it allows the City and the School District to pool limited public resources to focus on areas where public schools and City recreation centers are located close to each other.

The partnership also leverages federally-mandated stormwater management funds, committed state funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Conversation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and private philanthropy raised by The Trust for Public Land from the William Penn Foundation, MetLife Foundation, National Recreation Foundation, and others. The TPS Foundation is also providing support to incorporate public art at various sites as part of the overall initiative.

The William Penn Foundation was one of the original supporters of the planning and public engagement effort to draft the Green2015 Action Plan and is now providing significant resources for the pilot project. “This program represents a triple bottom line for Philadelphia. It cuts down on paved surfaces, which helps to keep heavy rains from washing pollutants into our water supply,” said Janet Haas, M.D., the Board Chair of the William Penn Foundation. “It repurposes existing city property, putting assets we already own to better use. And it brings communities together in attractive public spaces around their schools and recreation centers. In a time of economic scarcity, that level of impact is no small feat.”

When fully implemented, the project envisions the greening of 10 school playgrounds and City recreation centers at a total cost of $9 million, about two-thirds of which would be met through combination of State, City, and School District sources. The Trust for Public Land is leading the effort to raise private funds to leverage public funding from the City and School District, and will also be establishing a stewardship fund to assist local organizations with maintenance and programming for each site.

“When we launched the Green2015 action plan last year, our goal was to chart a course for action that would make our city more equitable, livable, and competitive. Now we stand in partnership to make good on that goal through the greening and connecting of our community assets, parks and recreation centers and schoolyards,” said Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor, Environmental & Community Resources/Parks and Recreation Commissioner. “With this partnership and the community, these sites will provide children and families with places for recreation and increase the attractiveness of our neighborhoods—all by taking affordable steps to transform land into publicly accessible green space. Green 2015 is a smart choice, makes sense for Philadelphia, and we look forward to engaging with many partners to advance this work.”

Pedro Ramos, Chair of the School Reform Commission said, “When schools, communities, and local agencies work together as we’re doing in the Green 2015 project, we’re given a unique opportunity to maximize value all around us. The children and everyone participating in this project are learning why it’s important to care about public spaces like city parks, school yards, and neighborhood playgrounds. At a time when the District must make the very best use of limited financial resources, this project offers the potential to provide cost-effective new ways to improve the quality of life in our city by creating more publicly accessible green space and protecting the environment at the same time.”

Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug shared the Water Department’s enthusiasm for Green2015. “If we want to change the world, we need to begin by nurturing the seeds for change at our schools. The city’s children – our children – are the true stewards of a sustainable future for Philadelphia. Our children need to grow and thrive amongst trees and green play spaces to truly learn about and value the elements of the natural world that clean our air, manage our stormwater and provide those precious spaces of beauty in our urban environment. PWD is thrilled to be working with its Green2015 partners – PPR, TPL and Mural Arts – to leverage our shared resources to collectively transform schools and adjacent public spaces into green acres that ultimately renew our rivers and streams.”

Because one in eight Philadelphians does not have a public park or playground within walking distance of their home, the Green2015 plan outlines the opportunity to link the City’s twin goals of increasing outdoor recreational spaces and improving stormwater management through the creation of parks, playgrounds, and other recreational areas with green elements.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national non-profit conservation organization that conserves land for people and is the nation’s leader in creating parks in cities. TPL is dedicated to ensuring that everyone—in particular every child—enjoys easy access to a park, playground, or open space.

Through its Parks for People–Philadelphia program, The Trust for Public Land will play a key role implementing the Green2015 Initiative of Mayor Nutter’s Greenworks Philadelphia sustainability plan, helping transform 500 acres of land into neighborhood green playspaces by 2015. TPL will work with the City of Philadelphia to identify existing schoolyards and recreation centers as prime opportunities for conversion into greened play spaces and recreation areas, thereby providing healthy, outdoor recreational resources for all Philadelphia residents, especially children.

“The renovation of urban parks and playgrounds and the creation of green spaces that allow city dwellers to connect with nature and lead healthier lives is a high priority for The Trust for Public Land,” said Will Rogers, president of TPL. “Clearly, the City has the same priorities and understands the importance of this work. We are glad to be working in a strong multi-level partnership with Mayor Michael Nutter’s office, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the School District of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Water Department, other public partners, and local communities. Win-win partnerships like these get real traction and deliver on-the-ground results.”

Community engagement will be a critical element of The Trust for Public Land’s unique design process; teams of Philadelphia students, city and school staff, and community members will be involved throughout the design process—evaluating existing conditions, selecting new amenities and play equipment, and developing use and maintenance plans—to ensure that the parks and play¬grounds meet the needs of the communities they serve and are safe, accessible resources.

“We believe in the power of art to unleash new possibilities, create common ground, and bring together people through transformative projects,” said Philadelphia Mural Arts Program executive director Jane Golden. “Mural Arts is thrilled to be part of this public-private partnership, and looks forward to working with all of our partners and the community to create engaging, sustainable spaces for youth.”

Mayor Nutter, Council President Clarke Announce Applications Open for Commission on Parks and Recreation

Applications must be submitted by May 9, 2012.

Philadelphia, March 30, 2012– Mayor Michael A. Nutter together with Council President Darrell Clarke announced that the City Council of Philadelphia is currently accepting applications to serve on the Commission on Parks and Recreation. The Commission was created as part of the amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, approved by the voters on November 4, 2008, which merged the Fairmount Park Commission and the Recreation Department to create the new Department of Parks and Recreation.

“This Commission is responsible for setting written standards and guidelines for land use, green space preservation, and the acquisition, sale or lease of park land and recreation facilities,” said Mayor Nutter. “I am asking committed citizens who share my vision for a strong and sustainable park and recreation system to submit an application and help shape the future of Philadelphia’s parks and recreation areas.”

Council President Darrell Clarke and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown sponsored the legislation putting the Charter Change before the voters. “We were amazed and humbled by the extraordinary quality and sheer number of applicants to serve on the Commission in 2009,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke. “I know Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, my co-sponsor on the legislation establishing the Parks & Recreation Department, joins Councilwoman Bass and me in encouraging Philadelphians to become more actively involved with their City.”

The Commission is composed of 15 members: nine appointed by the Mayor from a list of nominations submitted by City Council and compiled from applications received; and six “ex officio” members – the Commissioners of the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Water, Streets, and Public Property; the City Council President; and the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission.

“It is very important that the Fairmount Park Commission be diverse and represent citizens from all over the City,” said Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Chair of Council’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Committee. “I strongly encourage people to participate in the nomination process no matter their neighborhood or background.”

There are nine positions to be filled and current Commissioners interested in continuing to serve must reapply for consideration. A Commission appointment is a volunteer, unpaid position, and appointed Commissioners will serve four-year terms. Under the Charter’s general provision concerning boards and commissions, members of the Commission must be residents of Philadelphia or Pennsylvania counties adjacent to Philadelphia (Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery).
Application forms can be found at www.phila.gov, the Office of City Council’s Chief Clerk (Room 402 City Hall), Free Library of Philadelphia branches, City recreation centers, and Fairmount Park facilities. Interested applicants must submit an application by May 9, 2012 to be considered.

Would You Like To Serve on the Commission on Parks and Recreation?

You must apply by May 9, 2012.

On November 4, 2008, the voters of Philadelphiaapproved an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create a new unified Department of Parks and Recreation, along with a new Commission on Parks and Recreation to help guide this new department. On July 2, 2009, Mayor Nutter appointed the first members of the new Commission from a list of nominees submitted by City Council. Those terms will expire later this year, and it is now time for Council to submit the next list of nominees to the Mayor. All applicants will have a chance to speak at a public hearing before Council. You must submit an application by May 9 to be considered.

Click here for a PDF version of the Application.  You will need to print out this version to complete the Application.

OR

Click here to download a Microsoft Word version of the Application onto your computer.  You can then complete the Application on your computer before submitting it.

JUST TEN DAYS LEFT FOR PHILADELPHIANS TO REQUEST A FREE YARD TREE THROUGH THE TREEPHILLY INIAITIVE

Free yard tree request must be made by March 31 in order to get your tree in time for spring planting

What: With support from Wells Fargo bank, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s TreePhilly campaign is empowering residents to beautify their homes and blocks, improve their health, reduce their energy costs, and reduce stormwater runoff all in one shot, at NO COST.

Philadelphia property owners who have space in the front or back of their property to plant and care for a new tree, should visit www.treephilly.org or call 215-683-0217 to request a FREE YARD TREE.

When: Request deadline: 3/31/2012

Who: Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Wells Fargo & Company and the Fairmount Conservancy.

Mayor Nutter, Streets Department Kick off Countdown to Philly Spring Clean Up

Philadelphia, March 6, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the Philadelphia Streets Department kicked off the countdown to the 5^th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup on April 14^th (rain date April 28^th). Starting today, residents can volunteer for a Philly Spring Cleanup project online at www.phillyspringcleanup.com. The press conference was held a McPherson Square Park in order to highlight ongoing revitalization efforts there.

“I’m continually inspired by what we achieve every year during the Philly Spring Cleanup,” said Mayor Nutter. “Thousands of volunteers, hundreds of projects and millions of pounds of trash and recycling have been collected over the last four years. We’ve accomplished a lot, but I know we can do better this year. In honor of the Philly Spring Cleanup’s fifth anniversary, let’s work together to make this the best cleanup yet and keep the effort going all year long.”

Mayor Nutter was joined today by Streets Department Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources Michael DiBerardinis, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Deputy Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams, dozens of community groups, Kensington residents and Philly Spring Cleanup sponsors and partner organizations.

“The Philly Spring Cleanup is all about establishing civic pride, creating a better quality of life and taking ownership of our neighborhoods not just one day, but ever day,” said Commissioner Tolson. “We need to build off the momentum established during the cleanup and ‘Keep Up the Sweep Up’ year-round.”

City residents and organizations can become involved in the 5th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup by registering as project site or to volunteer. City residents and organizations who wish to participate should visit www.PhillySpringCleanup.com. The deadline for submitting a project is Friday, March 30, 2012. Residents may also call the Streets Department’s Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560, or call 3-1-1.

The Countdown event this afternoon also highlighted the work happening to revitalize McPherson Square Park in Kensington. Over the years, McPherson has dealt with many issues including crime, drugs and blight, which have adversely affected the Park. Recently, local nonprofits and city agencies have banded together to make the park safer, cleaner and a better resource for local residents.

Major Philly Spring Cleanup sponsors include Waste Management, the Carton Council, DOW, Covanta Energy, Republic Services, BigBelly Solar Compactor and ReCommunity Building.

Among the partners who are working on the Philly Spring Cleanup and/or the revitalization of McPherson Square Park are the following: Philadelphia Streets Department, UnLitter Us, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, Community Action Center of the United Way Southeastern Pennsylvania, City Year, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Services, Philadelphia Recycling Rewards, Recyclebank, HACE, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, The PhillyRising Collaborative, The Free Library of Philadelphia, Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia in McPherson Square Park, Impact Services, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Aspira, Epic, New Kensington CDC and PHS (The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society).

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Mayor Nutter, PIDC Announce Receipt of $50 Million in New Market Tax Credit TAX CREDITS

Call for projects in Philadelphia to receive new funding.

Philadelphia, February 23, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) will receive $50 million in New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) through the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. These dollars are utilized to spur private sector investment in targeted neighborhoods. The Mayor and PIDC are making a call to developers, entrepreneurs and businesses in Philadelphia to present ideas for projects that meet the criteria for the tax credits. Nationally, the U.S. Treasury Department will release $3.5 billion in NMTC awards, which will be deployed to finance real estate development projects and local business development, which will create jobs. PIDC was one of only 70 organizations to receive this funding.

“This New Market Tax Credits award of $50 million to PIDC is a great opportunity for our City to use federal tax credits to spur private investment,” said Mayor Nutter. “Working with our partners at the Federal government and throughout the private sector, PIDC has a tremendous reputation for accomplishing projects. This funding will help the City to spur greater private investment in our neighborhoods and to encourage developers to think creatively about new development ideas. I would also like to congratulate The Reinvestment Fund, Inc. which will receive $42 million of NMTC allocation.”

The City and PIDC will use this allocation to support a comprehensive strategy of building sustainable neighborhoods and revitalizing business corridors by attracting investments that create jobs, eliminate blight, stimulate investment and provide goods and services in targeted neighborhoods. PIDC intends to use its NMTC funding to support four main types of investments: supermarket anchored shopping centers, health care services facilities, manufacturing space, and mixed-use developments.

“The New Market Tax Credits awarded to PIDC will provide the necessary incentive to encourage private investment, promote economic development, and spur job creation. These funds will support the construction of new supermarkets, health care facilities and commercial corridors that are critical to reinvigorating Philadelphia’s communities,” said U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, who urged the Treasury Department to support this request for PIDC.

John Grady, President of PIDC, added, “PIDC is delighted to have been selected for an allocation of credits through this highly competitive application process. We look forward to working in close partnership with the City to identify projects and deploy these credits to attract private investment and create jobs in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.”

PIDC last received a NMTC award in 2007 for $60 million, which was used to finance four projects in the city. These tax credits leveraged more than $127 million in project financing and created more than 700 permanent and construction jobs. Those projects are the Superfresh market and retail complex, which opened last year at 2^nd Street and Girard Avenue; a mixed-use redevelopment of 600 N. Broad Street; tenant fit-out for laboratory and office space at the University City Science Center; and the construction of the Hilton Homewood Suites extended stay hotel in West Philadelphia.

To learn more about eligibility to apply for New Market Tax Credits through PIDC, please contact PIDC’s Market Development group at 215-496-8157.

• The Philadelphia Water Department’s Lower Venice Island project, which will include a brand new multi-million dollar performing arts center to be managed by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

• A joint project between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Water Department, which will restore flow to the Manayunk Canal.

• A federally funded (TIGER) trail project, sponsored by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, constructing a new portion of Schuylkill River Trail from Shawmont Avenue to Port Royal Avenue and widening the existing trail from Port Royal Avenue to the Montgomery County line.

Mayor Nutter Announces Completion of Manayunk Canal Towpath Renovation Project

Philadelphia, February 23, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the completion of $645,000 in renovations to the Manayunk Canal Towpath. The project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the City of Philadelphia. The Manayunk Canal Towpath is a key linkage in Fairmount Park’s multi-use recreational trail system. It is also part of the larger Schuylkill River Trail, which will ultimately connect Philadelphia to Pottsville in Schuylkill County via a multi-use trail extending the entire length of the river—a distance of approximately 130 miles.

“The improvement and beautification of our trails and natural lands are vital to the livability of the city” said Mayor Nutter. “The renovated Manayunk Canal Towpath will benefit thousands of cyclists, joggers, runners and pedestrians who rely on a safe and functional recreational trail network. I would like to thank the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for their support of this project.”

The project includes restoration of 2.2 miles of trail with crushed stone on path, improvements to drainage, gateways, re-decking/repairing four bridges, fencing for safety of trail users, paving approaches to bridges and boardwalks with porous paving for stormwater management, bollards and gates, new retaining wall construction at the Leverington Avenue parking lot and tree removal.

“The trail helps keep children and youth safe, active, and healthy by connecting them to the park and the natural world along the Manayunk Canal and the Schuylkill River” said Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources. “The collaborative approach used on this project represents a new way of working at Parks & Recreation; leveraging partnerships and community engagement to create and accomplish bold and innovative projects”

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the partnerships that led to the completion of this project,” said DCNR Deputy Secretary John Giordano. “Like many of our projects across Philadelphia, the teaming together of the city, the state and regional organizations are what made this project possible.”

The Manayunk Canal Towpath is one of several capital projects underway in Manayunk:

• The Philadelphia Water Department’s Lower Venice Island project, which will include a brand new multi-million dollar performing arts center to be managed by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

• A joint project between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Water Department, which will restore flow to the Manayunk Canal.

• A federally funded (TIGER) trail project, sponsored by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, constructing a new portion of Schuylkill River Trail from Shawmont Avenue to Port Royal Avenue and widening the existing trail from Port Royal Avenue to the Montgomery County line.