Photo via SRDC
This morning, the Schuylkill Banks path extension from South to Christian Street opened. “The moment has finally arrived,” noted the Schuylkill River Development Corporation in a tweet on Wednesday. “South to Christian is OPEN for use!”
The long-awaited opening of this section of the Schuylkill River Trail that is part of the Circuit Trails network is a ‘soft’ opening—an official dedication ceremony will be held in the spring. This is another step toward creating more than 800 miles of Circuit Trails in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
The extension of the Schuylkill River Trail gives cyclists, joggers, and walkers an extended space for activity and recreation, but does not reconnect back to the street at Christian. A last gap in the trail still remains, and will be closed when the Christian to Crescent segment is constructed. The area that will eventually be called Schuylkill Crossing (a swing bridge that will connect the Gray’s Ferry Crescent to Bartram’s Mile) is still projected to start construction this year.
SRDC additionally noted in their tweet that those using the newly-opened should stay off the grass until grasses and plants become established.
The last link the SRT between East Falls and Bartram’s Garden that is not yet funded is the Christian to Crescent Connector, which will be an above water trail along the east bank of the Schuylkill River between the Veola plant and the University Avenue Bridge.