Making Parkland Accessible to Neighborhood Residents
After 30 years of false starts, the $14 million Schuylkill River Park Trail--which runs along the east bank of the river from Kelly Drive to Center City Philadelphia--is becoming a reality. Unfortunately, access to the trail at most points in Center City is blocked by freight trains operated by a Florida-based company which owns tracks between the new trail and Center City's neighborhoods. Enter Free Schuylkill River Park, a neighborhood group advocating for access at two popular points along the trail--Race Street and Locust Street. With NPower PA's help, the group installed webcams that provide live video at their web site of these two access points. Before heading out to jog, bike, or walk the trail, residents can check the web site to see if access is blocked. If so, the site logs the date and time of the blockage--and offers users the opportunity to send emails to the railroad and elected representatives. Over 500 citizens have used the web site to send letters to their elected officials. As we go to press, the railroad has pulled back from its threat to close down the track crossings, and discussions are taking place for a permanent resolution.
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