It might lack the High Line's design ambition, but the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk will fill an appreciated role in the network of trails along the Philadelphia waterfront.
"Philadelphia’s fast-paced reclamation of its waterfront continued this fall with the opening of the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk," writes Henry Melcher. "
"The 2,000-foot-long concrete structure connects to the city’s popular Schuylkill River Trail and brings bikers and joggers directly to a pathway floating above the water. The $18 million boardwalk is more than just a novel piece of infrastructure—it is a practical way to build-out the trail and ultimately connect it to South Philadelphia."
Melcher goes on to describe some of the planning and design decisions behind the austere structure. Back when the path opened, Philadelphia Inquirer Architecture Critic Inga Saffron gave the Boardwalk a positive review.
FULL STORY: WALK ON WATER
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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