Pier 68 is a park in Philadelphia on the Delaware River waterfront. It is located at the intersection of Pier 70 Boulevard and the river and forms the southern terminus of the Delaware River Trail. Though it is not a municipal or state park, it is open to the public year-round, seven days per week from dawn til dusk.[2]
| Pier 68 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Pennsport neighborhood of Philadelphia, on a pier jutting into the Delaware River |
| Coordinates | 39°55′31″N 75°08′19″W / 39.9252°N 75.1387°W |
| Area | 0.5 acres (2,000 m2)[1] |
| Created | October 1, 2015 |
| Designer | Studio Bryan Hanes |
| Operated by | Delaware River Waterfront Corporation |
| Open | Dawn to dusk, seven days a week, year-round |
History
editOriginally, the pier was used for industrial purposes: first by John T. Bailey and Co. that manufactured bags, rope, and twine, then purchased by W. J. McCahan in 1872 for use as a sugar warehouse.[3] Today, the property is owned by the Delaware River Waterfront Corp., which led the rehabilitation of the pier into a public-use park.[4][5] It officially opened to the public on Thursday, October 1, 2015 with a ceremony including then-Mayor Michael Nutter.[6]
Design
editThe park consists of the original pier, which was shortened by 100 feet and augmented with a sea wall.[7] An lengthwise "aquatic cut" hosts tidal wetlands and reveals the layers of the pier.[7][8] Most of the park's surface is a concrete deck placed atop the original wooden deck covers most of the park, though there is also a lawn along its southern edge and several stands of trees. Large benches for lounging and picnic tables offer seating.[7] The park has large granite blocks with holes for fishing poles, and it is the only park in the area where fishing is legal.[9]
References
edit- ^ Pier 68 Fact Sheet (PDF), Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, archived (PDF) from the original on September 20, 2021
- ^ "Pier 68". Delaware River Waterfront. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "William J. McCahan | Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery". May 26, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "Transfer of Delaware River Waterfront Parcel Represents Progress for Delaware River Trail" (Press release). Natural Lands. August 5, 2021. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023.
- ^ Jennings, James (September 23, 2015). "Gone Fishin': Philly's Newest Public Pier Park to be Unveiled Next Week". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Nagle, Aubrey. "Pier 68 aims to be Philly's best fishing hole". PhillyVoice. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c Hahn, Ashley (September 29, 2015). "On the Waterfront: Pier 68 preview". WHYY. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Bixler, Michael (September 30, 2015). "Decked Out on Pier 68". Hidden City Philadelphia. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Popkin, Nathaniel (August 22, 2014). "At Pier 68, New Ways To Connect To The "Working" River". Hidden City Philadelphia. Retrieved January 31, 2024.