Reaching the Hidden River

President's Day Rally To Free the River Park

CSX has heard from us - now they need to see us. Please join neighbors and elected officials at the first Free the Schuylkill River Park Rally Park Rally Monday February 16th. We'll be gathering at noon at the Locust St. access point to the Park to demonstrate our support for safe at grade crossings. We've invited elected officials, community leaders and the media so please come out to in support of this effort. Bring a friend, your bike and the kids. If you feel inspired, make a Free the River Park Sign for the TV cameras we hope might be there to capture the moment. Spread the word and post the rally flyer Download flyer in your local store, Church or building. See you on Monday!

City's Managing Director Asks Governor To Support Our Campaign

Philadelphia's Managing Director Phillip R. Goldsmith has written to John Estey, Chief of Staff for Governor Ed Rendell asking for assistance in securing grade crossings at Race and Locust Streets. Download letter

The letter states: "we maintain that safe pedestrian crossings can be established and, in fact, that legitimate, properly designed crossings will be far safer than unauthorized, random crossing which will surely occur if this situation is not resolved." Goldsmith goes on to ask that the Governor encourage CSX and the PUC to reconsider their position opposing grade crossings. Thank you Director Goldsmith!

Citizen Letters Needed

Please send your own letter to the Governor supporting safe pedestrian crossings today.
Click here to send a letter.

Post a Flyer - Help Spread the Word

Many residents are surprised to hear that CSX is demanding that the City of Philadelphia fence off our current access to the new Schuylkill River Park Path. Please help spread the word by printing out our flyer and posting in stores, coffee shops and residential buildings near the new park. Download file

CSX Issues Ultimatum

Despite widespread public support for safe at-grade crossings, in mid December, CSX issued an ultimatum letter to the City of Philadelphia. The letter which can be seen here: Download letter states that if the City does not seal off the current access points at Race St. and Locust Streets, "Fencing, without gates, will be installed enclosing the openings..." CSX goes on to say that once the fence is complete that anyone "crossing the CSXT property will be considered as trespassers and appropriate action will be taken."

While they say they are acting "out of concern for safety" they are proposing a very unsafe situation for both park users and neighbors living near the park. What if someone is hurt or trapped in the Park? Without safe at grade crossings, police and emergency personel may not be able to reach the injured. Is CSX really such a bad neighbor that they would arrest residents trying to reach the River Park for an afternoon stroll or family bike ride?

Forunately, we have been told that the City responded to the letter by telling CSX "no", but pressure is building for the fence to be constructed. The Free the Schuylkill River Coalition believes that safe grade crossings can be constructed at Race and Locust Streets (see our photo album of safe crossings from around the country) and is calling on Governor Rendell to intervene on our behalf. Click here to see the letter that numerous organizations sent him last month: Download letter We need your help Governor! Please tell CSX that safe access across the tracks is the only way for Philadelphians to enjoy our wonderful new public resource!

Elected Officials Responding to Our Letters

Thanks to the hundreds of letters send from this site and the hard work of our Coalition members, many key elected leaders are speaking out strongly in favor of grade level access to Schuylkill River Park.

City Council President Anna Verna, who represents the Filter Square area, met with our coalition coordinators and expressed her strong support for our position. She sent Governor Ed Rendell a letter requesting that he help pursuade CSX and the PUC to agree to Grade Crossings. Here's a snip from her letter:

"The Schuylkill River Park expansion represents a $14 million public investment...Though it has not yet officially opened, thousands of people are already beginning to enjoy the park as a premier recreation destination. Regrettably, the $14 million already invested is at risk because of a lack of appropriate access to the park". The full letter can be seen here: Download file

Thank You Council President Verna!

In addition, State Representative Babette Josephs wrote Michael Ward, the head of CSX, to register her support of our position and to request that CSX meet with our coalition. Her letter read in part:

"My constituents who are community leaders, parents, and responsible citizens cannot understand your behavor, and, frankly neither do I...The streets of Philadelphia are busy, polluted, and dangerous; children who want to play in a park or use the Schuylkill River Park's bike trail should not have to walk or bike through traffic and car exhaust for several blocks just to access the park." The full letter can be seen here: Download file

Great letter Representative Josephs!

Our letter to CSX

Here is the letter more than 200 people have sent to the President of CSX:

Michael Ward
President, CSX RailRoad

RE: Don't Fence Us Out!

Dear Mr. Ward,

After 30 years of promises, many false starts, delays and contract disputes, Philadelphia's Schuylkill River Park is finally taking shape. A new paved recreation path is now operational, connecting Center City with Kelly Drive and West River Drive; lighting is installed and landscaping is planned for the coming year.

Unfortunately, under the current plan, residents living in the Logan and Fitler Square neighborhoods of Philadephia's Center City won't have access to the Park's new path. A "security" fence installed along side of the existing CSX freight train tracks will keep us out! The 6 foot fence won't protect us or our children from the tracks - it will only stop us from getting into the Park. There will be emergency gates at Race and Locust Streets, but according to City officials, the gates will be locked at all times. The only access to the Park south of the Ben Franklin Parkway will be from the new ramps between Market and Chestnut Streets; locations not close to the Logan and Fitler Square neighborhoods.

This doesn't make sense! We need solutions that allow full public access to the Schuylkill River Park's pedestrian path at intervals along its entire length

In the short term, the solution is to keep the gates open at Race and Locust Streets. The longer term solution is to work to remove the CSX tracks and allow access to the river throughout Center City.

Please support our efforts to gain access to Schuylkill River Park by working with the Logan Square Neighborhood Association to find a safe and affordable solution.

Photos from the River Park

Check out the photos from Schuylkill River Park. http://freetheriverpark.typepad.com/photos/freeriverpark/