Delaware River waterfront's ambitious summer plans could help revitalize area long-term

The Delaware River waterfront will have new life this summer thanks to an ambitious new pop-up park.

The Spruce Street Harbor Park at the Penn’s Landing Marina is set to feature a series of floating barges complete with lily pad water gardens, a pop-up restaurant and bar, and nets that will suspend visitors over the water. It's located within the Penn’s Landing Marina, at Columbus Boulevard at Spruce Street, near the Moshulu and the Independence Seaport Museum.

It's the brainchild of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, a group that has announced much loftier goals for the area, including a  mega-project that would cover I-95 with a public park, extending the South Street bridge and seamlessly connecting Front Street to the river’s edge. But the organization seems willing to do smaller, more manageable projects in the meantime (like this pop-up park or  new signage on Race Street and Spring Garden Street.) Larger projects have  stalled in the past.

Organizers are hoping that visitors to the Delaware River Waterfront will relax in one of the hammocks, cool off under the mist walk, lounge under an umbrella at the urban beach, or eat at a restaurant on a floating barge.

"By creating new spaces, we’re showing Philadelphia and the region just how beautiful and accessible the waterfront can be,” said Tom Corcoran, president of DRWC. Could a successful summer season at the pop-up park give the organization the momentum to fulfill its larger goal of permanently transforming the waterfront? Only time will tell.

Spruce Street Harbor Park will include:

The Oasis: Made of three floating barges, it contains a lily pad garden, colorful seating, and a pop-up restaurant and bar. It features a series of nets extending from the barges that will allow visitors to hang over and almost touch the water underneath them.

The Hammock Lounge: Oversized hammocks strung throughout the trees on the west side of the park.

Columbus Seating Area: Moveable colorful seating and tables positioned around the Columbus Monument. In the evening, the area will be lit by fire pits for a beautiful ambiance on a cool summer night.

Harbor Boardwalk: An oceanfront boardwalk transported to the Delaware River, complete with dune grasses and repurposed cargo containers selling summertime concessions and arcades.

The Urban Beach: Located along the quay, and next to the tall ship Gazela, this area will consist of lounge chairs, beach umbrellas and surface material reminiscent of being at a pebble beach.

Mist Walk: An artistically designed mist walk, colorfully lit at night, allows visitors to stroll through a light spray of water to combat the summer heat. 

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal