Plans for a 10-acre waterfront park in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia are moving forward after PennDOT awarded a $1.4 million grant to the city last month.

Construction of Phase 1 is expected to begin in 2021―with a public opening set in 2022―at the site in the historic neighborhood along the Delaware River. Phase 1 includes a large lawn area, restrooms, parking and walking trails.

Phase 2 will be the construction of stage and picnic pavilions, terraced lawn seating, and a river boardwalk. The park will connect to an existing 2.2-mile trail and create an 11-mile stretch of parks and trails along the Delaware River. It will be part of the Circuit Trails and East Coast Greenway networks that run 750 miles and 3,300 miles, respectively.

Additional funding for the $9-million waterfront project, being built on the site of a former concrete plant, is being procured by Riverfront North Partnership and the city of Philadelphia.

In a second, related project, a new two-lane road with a dedicated bike path will be built to ease traffic in Bridesburg and offer more recreational opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians.