Philadelphia Opens New 10-Acre Robert A. Borski Jr. River Park.

Philadelphia officially opened the 10‑acre Robert A. Borski Jr. Park in Bridesburg on July 11, 2025. The newly developed riverfront space transformed a former industrial concrete plant site into green lawns, an upland meadow, and walking trails as part of longstanding redevelopment efforts.

The Robert A. Borski Jr. Park stands as a significant achievement in urban renewal, turning a once-fenced-off industrial wasteland into a welcoming public space. The site, previously used by rail lines and heavy industry, including a cement company and coal coke operation, had long been closed off to the community. Today, the park offers broad open lawns, upland walking trails, a native meadow, modern restrooms, parking facilities, and hundreds of new trees and shrubs, inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy the riverfront.

Named for former U.S. Representative Robert A. Borski Jr., who served from 1983 to 2003 and founded Riverfront North Partnership in 2004, the park is the culmination of over two decades of advocacy to reconnect Bridesburg residents to the Delaware Riverfront.

The cleanup and development were supported by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), a nonprofit focused on economic growth, and the Delaware Riverfront North Partnership, a nonprofit organization founded by Borski in 2004. Key environmental restoration work utilized Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Act 2 program, which facilitates the remediation and reuse of contaminated commercial and industrial sites. Phase 1 construction, completed in early 2025, cost approximately $7 million and included remediation, a multi-use lawn, upland trails, native meadow planting, restrooms, parking, and stormwater-friendly porous pathways. The walking trail itself features a proprietary, porous material designed to absorb and manage stormwater, enhancing the park’s sustainability.

Phase 2 is projected to cost about $3.7 million and will include features such as a stage, picnic pavilion, terraced seating, and a riverfront boardwalk. No specific timeline has been announced for completion.

Stephanie Phillips, executive director of Riverfront North Partnership, noted the formation of “Friends of Borski Park” and highlighted that since 2019, the organization has engaged community members via Trail Talks and advisory committees to build local stewardship.

Borski Park is the final of eight planned parks on the Riverfront North Greenway, an 11‑mile corridor that integrates with both the Circuit Trails network (~375 miles locally) and the East Coast Greenway (~3,000 miles).

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson said, “It is not every day that the city opens a new riverfront park,” highlighting the significance of the official July 11 opening ceremony.

With the official dedication scheduled, the park is already welcoming visitors who come to enjoy its natural beauty and stunning views of the river and nearby bridges. This project demonstrates how thoughtful public-private collaboration and long-term planning can reclaim and revitalize urban spaces for public benefit.