PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — City officials last week kicked off construction of a new park they say will transform an industrial area of Bridesburg into a riverfront outdoor center.
Workers are turning an expansive piece of land along the Delaware River that used to be the site of a concrete factory into a 10-acre park. The site has views of the Betsy Ross Bridge and will have a meadow, nature paths and a large open lawn area.
Mayor Jim Kenney says everyone deserves a nice place to gather outdoors.
"We want every Philadelphia resident to have the best-in-class neighborhood assets like parks, trails and recreation centers, because all residents need safe places to come together."
Stephanie Phillips, executive director of conservancy group Riverfront North Partnership, calls it a "community accomplishment.”
"It has taken a coalition of support from our elected officials, local governments, state government, federal government, private foundations and, most importantly, neighborhood residents to get here today."
The park is being named after former Congressman Bob Borski, who served Bridesburg for decades.
"It's highly unusual that parks are named after someone who's alive, so it's truly humbling and greatly, greatly appreciated," he said.
Phase 1 of construction is expected to be completed by 2025 and to cost $7 million. A second phase start date has not been announced.