Reaching the Hidden River

Hundreds Pledge to Write CSX

Warm weather brought at least a thousand park users out to enjoy the new Schuylkill River Park this weekend. Our campaign maintained an information table at the Race St. crossing and dedicated volunteers let passerbys know about our effort to generate letters to CSX President Michael Ward before Tuesday's meeting between CSX and the City. Many people were unaware of CSX's plans to close off access and commited to sending a letter in favor of at grade crossings at Locust & Race Street. Please send a letter today by clicking here!

CSX & City Finally Talking About Safe Crossings - Write a letter today!

Promising talks are now underway between the City and CSX Transportation about how to resolve the grade crossing issue! The City is taking a strong position in favor of constructing safe pedestrian grade crossings at Race & Locust Streets (Thank You Mayor Street!) and while CSX has not agreed to a specific plan, they are now discussing issues pertaining to cost, design and timing.

Please send a letter today to CSX President Michael Ward thanking him for engaging in these talks and telling him to instruct his team to support safe grade crossings at Race and Locust Streets. The next meeting is April 20th, so please click here to write today.

New letter to CSX

Despite more than 200 citizen letters and the active support of Philadelphia City Transportation & Elected officials, CSX is still not willing to discuss ways to provide Center City residents safe access to Schuylkill River Park. It also seems as if CSX is now purposely parking trains to block residents access on weekends. This creates a security hazard and is an affront to our community. Please review and send a new letter to the President of CSX here:
http://www.citizenspeak.org/campaign/4766.php

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.

Welcome to the Free Schluylkill River Park

Schluylkill River Park is a wonderful new addition to Philadelphia's Park system. A bike path constructed along the edge of the Schluylkill River south of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the new park provides sweeping views of the skyline and easy access to Fairmount Park for Center City Residents. Unfortunately, CSX RailRoad has a right of way along the new park and frequently parks frieght trains on these tracks during the day blocking access to the Park. In the name of security they have constructed a 6 foot high fence along park path will not allow access to the park except from ramps built at Market and Chestnut Street. The Logan Square Neighborhood Association is fighting for access to the park and has constructed this site to keep interested residents informed of the efforts of a larger Free Schluylkill River Park Coalition.