Linden Ave/Hatcheries

[Cya]

Does anyone know what's going on with the rip out of the little fishing spot at the hatcheries?
They have construction equipment in there--looks like they're rebuilding it?

[Markvator]

I sure hope it's being rebuilt. I have fond memories of my Dad & my Uncle taking myself & my Brothers there for the first time 40 years ago... Holy Schniekies! I must be old!

[qguy]

It's definitely being rebuilt, but not the same way it was. It's the next phase of the overall plan to re-create the park. Earlier a new playground was built and the waterfront area was improved.

Go here for a description of the master plan:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/Keys...kPlanPhila.pdf

Go here for a description of the completed elements: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/gran...ntHillPark.pdf

[Markvator]

Thanx for posting the links - very cool!

[Cya]

It's definitely being rebuilt, but not the same way it was. It's the next phase of the overall plan to re-create the park. Earlier a new playground was built and the waterfront area was improved.

Go here for a description of the master plan:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/Keys...kPlanPhila.pdf

Go here for a description of the completed elements: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/gran...ntHillPark.pdf

Thank you! That sounds like a great plan.
An ampitheater? 4 boat slips?
I can't wait to see when it's all done. What they've done already is a huge improvement. I never knew it to be called Pleasant Hill. Just the hatcheries
Do you know if there are any future plans for the big park behind the prison near Rhawn St?
It's gigantic--lots of open land. This park has to be the best kept secret in the NE. It almost seems a waste of space unless you play soccer or something on their fields. It would be nice to see boat ramps there too.

[Scca28]

Do you know if there are any future plans for the big park behind the prison near Rhawn St?
It's gigantic--lots of open land. This park has to be the best kept secret in the NE. It almost seems a waste of space unless you play soccer or something on their fields. It would be nice to see boat ramps there too.

Haven't been there in a while, but even back about ten years ago, yeh there was a lot of soccer going on. Our son was in some tournaments there. I remember when they sort of fixed up the area, but never really expanded on it. I was waiting to see more improvements there too.
But even as is, it's a nice quiet place to sit and enjoy a lunch by the river. Maybe they want to leave it that way, and keep the boating and all the associated activity in Pleasent Hill?

Speaking of which, I remember a couple of seasons when there was a snack bar operating in the building at Pleasent Hill. They sold drinks, hot dogs, pretzels, etc. Any idea if that will be coming back again? It's probably a tough sell there, I imagine most people bring their own food when they come to hang out there.

[Scoats]

Do you know if there are any future plans for the big park behind the prison near Rhawn St?
It's gigantic--lots of open land. This park has to be the best kept secret in the NE. It almost seems a waste of space unless you play soccer or something on their fields. It would be nice to see boat ramps there too.

Have you gone as far north as you can along the river there? There's a gate that leads to a meadow/wetland area that opened a fews years ago. It's amazing. It's like going back in time. There's a lot of interesting wildlife there too.

Eventually that part will link to Pleasant Hill Park.

[Scca28]

Have you gone as far north as you can along the river there? There's a gate that leads to a meadow/wetland area that opened a fews years ago. It's amazing. It's like going back in time. There's a lot of interesting wildlife there too.

Eventually that part will link to Pleasant Hill Park.

Neat! That's the end of Pennypack Creek. I didn't know that was opened to the public, but now I see a new trail on Bing. Thanks, I'll have to check it out!
Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

[Scoats]

Neat! That's the end of Pennypack Creek. I didn't know that was opened to the public, but now I see a new trail on Bing. Thanks, I'll have to check it out!
Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

You're very welcome. It's amazing almost nobody knows about this treasure.

[Cya]

You're very welcome. It's amazing almost nobody knows about this treasure.

I'm going to check this out too.

[qguy]

C'mon, folks, gotta pay attention to these things.

The trail that passes through the park and ends at Pennypack Creek (near its mouth) will be part of the East Coast Greenway (ECG). Construction on a bridge over the creek is about a year or so away. Go here for overall plans for the northern Delaware River waterfront: Delaware River City Corp homepage

In addition, the brand-new Lardner's Point park just opened a few weeks ago. It's just to the south of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. It's not very big, but it's trail segment will eventually be part of the ECG as well. And it's shoreline is not full of rip-rap boulders so you can walk right down to the water.
Lovely Lardner’s Point Park [slideshow]
Lardners Point
Lardner's Point: New city park is a plus for nature, too - Philly.com

Go have fun!

[Scca28]

Thanks for the update! I remember hearing about this a long time ago, but never really followed up on it. Shame the water works is in the way and they have to route you onto State Road. Not the most scenic part of the ride, eh? But it will be nice. I can get there thru the Pennypack trails, bit of a ride, but it will be worth it!

[Scca28]

C'mon, folks, gotta pay attention to these things.

The trail that passes through the park and ends at Pennypack Creek (near its mouth) will be part of the East Coast Greenway (ECG). Construction on a bridge over the creek is about a year or so away. Go here for overall plans for the northern Delaware River waterfront: Delaware River City Corp homepage

Just took a walk thru there, really makes you forget you're still in the city!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...7&l=4c4bbbea46

[christina1003]

Just took a walk thru there, really makes you forget you're still in the city!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...7&l=4c4bbbea46

Wow! So how do I get here from the Linden Ave park (or Pleasant Hill Park...whatever it's called).

[Markvator]

Wow! So how do I get here from the Linden Ave park (or Pleasant Hill Park...whatever it's called).

Head South on State rd. As soon as you pass Rhawn street, make the first left hand turn possible. It almost looks like a driveway. You will pass Riverview (?) on your left. Go all the way down this road even though it looks like it leads nowhere
As you get to the river on your right, you will see a small fishing pier. As you continue on, you will see many places to sit by the river, including at least one gazebo. Next you'll see the soccer fields. As the road winds away from the river, you'll see a soccer field on the right. If you park here & walk towards the river, you will encounter a bike/walking path. If you follow this path, it will take you through the fence to the area that ends up at pennypack creek. It really does make you feel like you have left the city. I'm sure if any of this is not accurate, someone will pipe in with any corrections needed.
Has anyone spotted the Eagles this year?

[qguy]

Head South on State rd. As soon as you pass Rhawn street, make the first left hand turn possible. It almost looks like a driveway. You will pass Riverview (?) on your left. Go all the way down this road even though it looks like it leads nowhere
As you get to the river on your right, you will see a small fishing pier. As you continue on, you will see many places to sit by the river, including at least one gazebo. Next you'll see the soccer fields. As the road winds away from the river, you'll see a soccer field on the right. If you park here & walk towards the river, you will encounter a bike/walking path. If you follow this path, it will take you through the fence to the area that ends up at pennypack creek. It really does make you feel like you have left the city. I'm sure if any of this is not accurate, someone will pipe in with any corrections needed.
Has anyone spotted the Eagles this year?

Here's a link to a Bing Maps birds-eye view of the end of Pennypack Park where the extended trail is.
Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

The wide imagery is a little old and only the older end is shown, but if you zoom in on the end of the trail it switches to newer imagery which shows the extension. You can then see the trail all the way to Pennypack Creek.

[Scca28]

The wide imagery is a little old and only the older end is shown, but if you zoom in on the end of the trail it switches to newer imagery which shows the extension. You can then see the trail all the way to Pennypack Creek.

I love these maps for checking out places to visit! Here's another view that shows the part of the trail in the picture I posted.
http://binged.it/Pq4GKR
That is funny how some zoom levels were taken at different time periods. Neat to see the changes!
When we were there, I parked at the first lot you come to, then walked the whole way along the river trail instead of going thru the soccer field area. Just have to watch your step for the goose poop along the way....

[qguy]

That is funny how some zoom levels were taken at different time periods. Neat to see the changes!

Switching from "aerial" to "bird's eye" modes will often show differences as well.

If you like that sort of thing, check out the Historical Aerials website. You can layer aerial photography from various time periods and easily compare them. You can even set a slider you can move across the screen to flip back and forth. Philadelphia has great multi-layer coverage, as do many other areas of the country.

Loads of fun. Actually quite enlightening.

Here's the link: NETR Online • Historic Aerials

[Scca28]

If you like that sort of thing, check out the Historical Aerials website.

Oh yeh, been using that site for a while now! Came in handy when I was researching the area I grew up in around Cottman and Torresdale. All the buildings behind our house had changed over time, and we had no pictures to go by. Also used them when I was researching things that changed over the years in Wildwood.
And on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/oldimagesofphiladelphia,
I've used historic aerials to help people locate things in their photos. Nice to have these things available for our use!
While we're on the topic, here's the type of stuff we share there for anyone interested. I just posted this one a few days ago:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[qguy]

Outstanding. As a former Air Force officer, I love the photo of the two soldiers proud in the uniforms.

OK, you obviously are familiar with Historic Aerials. Howabout Shorpy? Shorpy Historical Photo Archive | Vintage Fine Art Prints