Grays Ferry Crescent

The Grays Ferry Crescent segment follows the crescent shape of the riverbank from 34th Street to Wharton Street.  The land now occupied by the trail and greenway had been used for a variety of industrial and chemical purposes for more than a century, and it was necessary to remediate this area to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection standards before creating the trail extension. SRDC undertook remediation of the land, then referred to as the DuPont Crescent, in fall 2008. Remediation work included removing and disposing of hazardous soil and paving, general clearing and grubbing, and placing new fill soil, topsoil, and grass seed to prevent erosion.

The construction of the Grays Ferry Crescent provided long-awaited access to the river for neighborhoods in South and Southwest Philadelphia. The project provides 4,036 feet of bicycle and pedestrian trails, plus several walking paths totaling another 2,171 feet. Lawn areas were created for casual activities such as picnicking and unstructured play. Meadows of native grasses and flowering perennials provide natural beauty while absorbing stormwater runoff and creating wildlife habitat. The new pier and riverfront plazas provide fishing and sightseeing opportunities. Benches, lighting, trash cans, and a utility building were also installed to ensure proper maintenance of the greenway. 

Urban Engineers, Inc. designed the project with Simone Collins Landscape Architects completing landscape design. Remediation design was completed by Pennoni Associates and remediation work was completed by React Environmental Professional Services Group. The project was constructed by AP Construction. Funding for the trail was provided by the Federal Highway Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the William Penn Foundation, and the City of Philadelphia