Schuylkill Banks: A Delightful City Treasure

If you haven't taken a stroll along Philadelphia's Schuylkill Banks, you're missing one of the great treasures of William Penn's Greene Country Towne.
They call the city's Schuylkill (pronounced School Kill) River the "hidden river" because most Philadelphians barely notice it as they drive over it or by it along the infamous Schuylkill Expressway or a variety of other roads. Even the scenic Boathouse Row obscures part of the river and the river drives (Kelly Drive and King Drive) often do not afford drivers the opportunity to slow down enough to really appreciate the River.
And that's just the part of the river that we're most familiar with.
For many years access to the lower river banks has been very limited.
But now, all that has changed.
Schuylkill Banks, Philadelphia’s newest riverfront destination is home to greenways, parks, docks, the nation’s leading educational institutions, award-winning residential developments and active industrial sites that are making way for livable spaces.
Schuylkill Banks is the 8 mile stretch of riverbank along the tidal Schuylkill River that runs through the heart of Philadelphia, south of the Fairmount Dam. The landscaped trail and greenway is located on the east (Center City) side of the Schuylkill River between Locust Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (below the Fairmount Water Works).
We walked along the full length of the landscaped area this weekend and we were delighted with the openness, the views, the summer breezes and the activity that we found along this stretch of the river. It reminded us of the river walk in Chicago and similar walks along the water's edge that we've found in other cities including Austin.
Schuylkill Banks offers a wide variety of programming during the summer and fall. From River and Kayak Tours to Movie Nights and Fish Fests, the area seems to have something for everyone.
For all of this, we can thank the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC).
SRDC is a public private partnership leading the development of Schuylkill Banks. With a proven track record in raising funds, promoting city assets, collaborating with a broad and diverse constituency, SRDC works with federal, state, city and private agencies to coordinate, plan and carry out economic, recreational, environmental and cultural improvements and tourism initiatives on the lower Schuylkill River between the Fairmount Dam and the Delaware River.
For all the information you need to enjoy the Schuylkill Banks, click here.