The Central Delaware Advocacy Group (CDAG) teamed up with local clothing outfitter United By Blue on Saturday to help clean up the stretch of trail between Pier 53 near Columbus Boulevard and Washington Avenue and Pier 70 near Walmart in South Philadelphia. Let's just say they put in some serious work. 6,220 pounds of trash and — to no real surprise — 116 shopping carts were removed from the grounds as well as the river. PlanPhilly says there were about 50 volunteers on hand, including Councilman Mark Squilla, who is a nearby resident of the piers.
The cleanup focused heavily upon the area around Pier 68, which will soon be transformed from abandoned pier from which tug boats may or may not illegally access the Walmart area to Philly's newest pier park. Designed by Studio Bryan Hanes, the idea is to create a space that celebrates the Delaware River through recreation, fishing and even temporary boat docking. Pier 68 will serve as the southern trailhead of the Delaware River Trail.
Things are getting serious for this stretch of river in Pennsport. Washington Avenue Pier opened to rave reviews in August and Pier 68 is on the way. Don't forget that two of Philly's major players in the development scene have staked their respected claims to vital properties along the southern Delaware Waterfront. Eric Blumenfeld is looking to redevelop the site of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 19 building at Columbus Boulevard and Washington Avenue and Bart Blatstein recently purchased (again) the empty lot that was the former Foxwoods Casino site on Columbus Boulevard and Reed Street.
· CDAG, United By Blue and citizens who believe in a better environment tackle Delaware River piers cleanup [PlanPhilly]
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