Bartram’s Mile: Creating green space for everyone

December 10, 2014

“Give my children better places to play along the river.”

“Create relaxing space to connect with nature.”

—Feedback gathered during Bartram’s Mile public planning sessions

In partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, Bartram’s Garden has embarked on an exciting project to reimagine what is being calling “Bartram’s Mile”— one mile of currently vacant river frontage along the western banks of the Schuylkill River between Grays Ferry Avenue and 58th Street.

The Green2015 plan, released by PPR in December 2010, highlights Bartram’s Mile as a major opportunity to convert publicly owned vacant land to public green space by the end of 2015. This new open space will provide riverfront access and enhance recreation for an underserved neighborhood as well as help restore an important watershed in our urban environment.

Once completed, Bartram’s Mile will connect Bartram’s Garden to the Schuylkill River Trail and a rapidly expanding network of pedestrian and bicycle roadways, making our National Historic Landmark more accessible to the public than ever before.

For more info on the Bartram’s Mile project, check out these sites:

planphilly.com/praxis-projects/bartram-s-mile
planphilly.com/eyesonthestreet/2012/11/06/see-bartrams-mile

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Boating & Fishing

Flowers, Plants & Trees

Gardening

History

Kids' Activities

Sankofa Community Farm

Southwest Philadelphia

Water Quality

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Youth Internships

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Stroll the Schuylkill River Trail or join us for biking!

Birds

Look up! More than 100 species of birds rely on this ecosystem.

Boating & Fishing

Enjoy all that the Tidal Schuylkill River has to offer.

Flowers, Plants & Trees

See what’s blooming, find a favorite tree, and stroll the gardens and natural lands.

Gardening

Bring the Garden home! Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more.

History

Uncover the interconnected stories of this historic site.

Kids' Activities

Join us year-round to learn, make, share, and wonder.

Sankofa Community Farm

“Go back and get it!” Growing food sovereignty with an African Diaspora focus.

Southwest Philadelphia

Resources and opportunities especially for neighbors in Southwest Philly.

Water Quality

View our latest data on current river conditions.

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Enjoy upcoming workshops, self-care, and events. Are you a Southwest artist? Let’s partner!

Youth Internships

Calling Southwest students: paid internships available with the river, the farm, and the trees.