The Frankford Creek Greenway Master Plan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Project Description > The 2.7 mile stretch of Frankford Creek in Northeast Philadelphia is the only open-air creek in the City of Philadelphia not surrounded by planned or existing park lands (See Context Map 1.1, page 2).  Barely visible, inaccessible, channelized, and polluted, Frankford Creek has been lost and forgotten as a place and resource as it flows through an urban blanket of hardscape.  Suffering through generations of abuse, and neglect this creek illustrates a significant story of survival, transformation, and adaption in reference to the changing landscape of northeastern Philadelphia. 

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is a City agency whose mission includes “sustain[ing] and enhanc[ing] the region’s watersheds and quality of life by managing wastewater and storm water effectively.”  The PWD and cooperating agencies have conducted research and planning exercises throughout the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek watershed in an effort to improve the conditions in and along Frankford Creek.  The PWD funded this Master Plan which is a multi-faceted effort to improve stream ecology, develop a greenway system (providing recreation and alternative transportation options), preserve the history of the corridor, provide riparian buffer, manage storm water, and provide connectivity for and to surrounding communities. 

The project goals include:

• Create a destination along Frankford Creek from Castor Avenue to the Delaware River through a celebration of the water environment, a realization of economic opportunities, and an affirmation of community assets.

• Extend a greenway that connects Tacony Creek Park/Juniata Golf Course southward to the N. Delaware Riverfront

• Improve the ecology and water quality of the Frankford Creek corridor

• Foster community stewardship

The PWD commissioned Greenways Incorporated, Biohabitats, and consultant Nicole Galdieri (the Greenways team) to prepare this Plan.  The Plan was developed as a collaborative effort between public and private partners including the PWD, City Planning Commission, Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), Fairmount Park Commission, Philadelphia Department of Recreation, Managing Director’s Office, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Natural Lands Trust, PECO (an Exelon Company) and several other State agencies and local groups.