Washington Avenue Pier sanctuary opens at Pier 53
The Washington Avenue Pier park has opened at Pier 53 behind the Sheet Metal Workers’ union headquarters, at Washington Avenue and Columbus Boulevard.
City bigwigs on Friday cut the ribbon on the park, which provides a sanctuary and bird-watching area that injects a little nature into the city. The park includes a 55-foot Land Buoy sculpture, by artist Jody Pinto, that doubles as a lookout station. For an interesting look into Pinto’s artistic heritage, check out this Hidden City story.
There’s also a boardwalk that juts out over the river, benches, native plantings and references to the pier’s history as an immigration processing station.
City officials hope the park will help spur development along the southern portion of the waterfront much like Race Street Pier did just up the river.
Check out this CBS3 report if you want a 3-D tour.
The design had a sandy beach….any word on if that will still be added?
They did put the area to get down to the water in already, it is mostly soil/rock and logs, but still pretty neat, the kids seemed to like wander in and around them and being able to “explore” the water access.
Not sure if they are planning to still put the sandy part in, but I will ask and post back.
This looks great and is exactly the kind of progress Philadelphia needs to continue to make in order to attract more residents!