PHILADELPHIA – April 18, 2014 – Today, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) announced the creation of the Spruce Street Harbor Park at the Penn’s Landing Marina. This two-month summer program throughout July and August will bring a boardwalk, urban beach, fountains, and misting areas to the Delaware River Waterfront. The centerpiece of the project is 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. The full design of the project including the landscaping and programming will help evoke the maritime history of the area, and will celebrate the River’s industrial past and the bright future ahead for Philadelphia’s waterfront.
The debut of Spruce Street Harbor Park comes after the most successful Blue Cross RiverRink season to date, due in part to Waterfront Winterfest, which transformed the Blue Cross RiverRink into a magical winter garden. DRWC worked with Interface Studios, Digsau, and Groundswell Design Group, to create the plan for the space, and is collaborating with David Fierabend of Groundswell Design Group to complete the project installation and with The Heads of State for brand design. DRWC is positioning the Spruce Street Harbor Park as THE destination for summer fun and relaxation in Philadelphia. Said Fierabend, "We're involved because we believe iterative placemaking is the future of urban development and city renewal. By creating these moments along the waterfront we're reconnecting the city to this long forgotten asset. Not only are these spaces amazing, they're cost effective and immediately attainable. Their ephemeral quality keeps us intrigued and our attention focused on what's next."
Visitors to the Delaware River Waterfront will be able to enjoy festivals, concerts and movies on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, and then stroll south to relax in one of the hammocks, cool off under the mist walk, lounge under an umbrella at the urban beach, or indulge in their favorite summer foods on floating barge. As noted by Tom Corcoran, President of DRWC, “Spruce Street Harbor Park, thanks in part to a grant from ArtPlace America, stands to substantially augment the already fantastic lineup of summer events at Penn’s Landing. By creating new spaces, we’re showing Philadelphia and the region just how beautiful and accessible the waterfront can be.”
The park is located within the Penn’s Landing Marina, at Columbus Boulevard at Spruce Street. The marina is currently activated by the Paddle Penn’s Landing program, the Moshulu, the Independence Seaport Museum, the Olympia and Becuna, the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing, the Chart House and the Spirit of Philadelphia and the Spirit Elite. Spruce Street Harbor Park will include:
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: Being at the waterfront would not be complete without a way to cool off. An artistically designed mist walk, colorfully lit at night, allows visitors to stroll through a light spray of water to combat the summer heat.
