Million dollar renovation plans along Delaware River

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A renovation project costing nearly $2 million will transform Pier 68 into a place for play and relaxation overlooking the Delaware River in South Philadelphia.

The pier was once used for importing Cuban sugar but by next year 13 blighted unused acres there will be transformed into a new pier park.

It's part of a network of waterfront parks the city is creating every half mile along the north side of the river with state funds and corporate contributions

"It's going to be magnificent park when it opens. It will open next summer, this is the third park that we've built in the last five years," said Tom Corcoran, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

There is already a park at Race Street and the Delaware that's open for business and yet another opens next month at up at Pier 53 at Washington Avenue.

They'll feature picnic grounds, benches and fishing points.

"Many of the amenities like parks and trials will improve public health, the health of the river and certainly provide economic benefits for the entire city," said Mayor Michael Nutter.

There will also be a path known as the Delaware Waterfront Trail that'll be six miles long, extending north all the way to Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown.

South Philadelphia neighborhoods on the other side of Columbus Boulevard, who for years battled to keep a casino from being built here, are hailing the coming of a park instead.

"Thank goodness it's not a casino. We're very happy to have something that's very usable. One of the statements I made earlier this afternoon is that it's the piece of a puzzle of a very long process to reclaim the waterfront for public access," said Dr. James Moylan, Pennsport Civic Association.