Shaping a Waterfront that serves Philadelphia and belongs to everyone.
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is the nonprofit that plans, builds, and manages public spaces along Philadelphia’s Central Delaware River Waterfront, from Oregon to Allegheny avenues. Its mission is to create a vibrant, inclusive Waterfront that reflects the city and serves those who live, work, and visit here. DRWC maintains popular destinations like Spruce Street Harbor Park, Cherry Street Pier, Race Street Pier, and the Delaware River Trail. With 44 full-time employees, DRWC cares for over 5 miles of trail, four floating barges, 1,000+ parking spaces, a 32-slip marina, and the 560-passenger RiverLink Ferry. Public safety is supported by 24/7 patrols and 150+ security cameras. Through design, programming, and investment, DRWC keeps the Waterfront active, accessible, and free for all.
K Over Visitors in 2024
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Delaware River Trail
What was once a bold vision for the Central Delaware Waterfront is now becoming reality.
Over the past decade, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) has worked steadily to transform Philadelphia’s riverfront and bring the Master Plan to life. What began as a blueprint has become a city-shaping initiative fueled by public investment, community input, and private development.
Construction is now underway on the new Penn’s Landing Park, a transformative public space that will reconnect Center City with the Waterfront and anchor a new era of civic life along the river.
But the transformation isn’t just physical. Public investment is unlocking private momentum as developers, entrepreneurs, and partners reimagine the Waterfront not only as a destination but as a powerful engine for equitable growth.
That momentum carries into 2025 and beyond with projects that will:
Improve access from South Philadelphia through the Washington Avenue Connector
Restore vital shoreline habitat through the South Wetlands Park
Extend the Delaware River Trail north past Penn Treaty Park
Launch the Waterfront Sustainability and Resiliency Plan to guide long-term stewardship
Through it all, our focus remains the same: building a Waterfront that serves Philadelphia and belongs to everyone.
Thank you for your continued partnership. Together, we’re shaping a shared civic legacy for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Joseph A. Forkin | President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jay R. Goldstein, Chairman
Obra S. Kernodle, Vice Chairman
Bill P. Hankowsky, Secretary
Michael DiBerardinis
Avi D. Eden
Karen Fegely
Michael I. Hauptman, AIA
John Mondlak
Matt Ruben
Donn G. Scott
Marilyn Jordan Taylor
Angela Val
William L. Wilson
Diane Dalto Woosnam
Ellen Yin
Mario Zacharjasz, AIA
Momentum Through the Years
Guided by a visionary Master Plan and broad community support, the Waterfront has seen major progress—and as the included maps show, the next chapter is already taking shape.
Avenue Connector (not pictured)
Race Street Connector (not pictured)
Parks, Attractions
+ Connectors
Pier 68 Visitation grew 194% between 2020 & 2024
Cherry Street Pier Visitation grew 176% between 2020 & 2024
Over the past 15 years, DRWC has created a network of parks and attractions stitched together by the ever-expanding Delaware River Trail. From vibrant programmed spaces to more passive parks, the Waterfront offers something for everyone.
Over
400K
Spruce Street Harbor Park Visits in 2024
500,000 Annual Pedestrians and Cyclists
327K
IBX RiverRink Visits in 2024
IBX RiverRink
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Delaware River Trail
Cherry Street Pier
Race Street Pier Pier 68
Delaware River Trail
A Path Forward
A grade separated multi-use trail, the Delaware River Trail allows for both recreation as well as connection between Philadelphia’s river neighborhoods. The trail also provides access to all of DRWC’s parks & attractions. Use of the trail has grown by 58% since 2022 as residents & visitors alike discover the Delaware River Waterfront.
MILES
Cherry Street Pier Creativity in Action
A reimagined historic warehouse pier turned public space, Cherry Street Pier is a year-round creative hub that brings art, community, and culture together. By supporting emerging and established artists through residencies, exhibitions, and affordable space, the Pier creates a thriving, cultural micro-economy.
RiverRink Year-Round Family Fun
Whether roller skating under the sun or ice skating beneath holiday lights, the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink offers seasonal fun with a Philly twist. Summerfest delivers a classic boardwalk experience, while Winterfest transforms the space into a cozy holiday haven. Together, they create year-round traditions for families across the region.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Laid Back Vibes
A seasonal icon on the Delaware River, Spruce Street Harbor Park blends Philly flavor with Waterfront relaxation. With hammocks, floating barges, local eats, and weekly live music, it’s a vibrant gathering place that turns warm-weather nights into memorable experiences.
48
Welcomed visitors from all 48 states across the continental US
Piers of Reflection Views, History, and Escape
Race Street Pier
A relaxing respite with stunning views in the heart of the city.
Washington Ave Pier
Where visitors and residents can relax and enjoy Philadelphia’s historic shores.
Pier 68
Tucked at the southern end of the Delaware River Trail, Pier 68 offers a peaceful spot for fishing, picnicking, or a quick lunch for nearby workers and residents. With native plants and panoramic views, it’s a welcoming retreat that connects South Philadelphia residents to the water.
Activating the Waterfront
Through inclusive, year-round programming, DRWC brings public spaces to life. Across parks, piers, and trails, free events reflect the energy of Philadelphia. From sunset yoga to packed festival weekends, every activation is designed to create a shared sense of place.
PECO Multicultural Series
Multicultural programming remains a cornerstone of the Waterfront experience. Through the PECO Multicultural Series and seasonal festivals, DRWC has celebrated African, Indigenous, Islamic, Caribbean, Latinx, and Southeast Asian cultures with food, music, dance, and family-friendly activities.
Wellness and Family Events
Launched in 2020, Wellness on the Waterfront presented by IBX offers weekly yoga movement and mindfulness along the river. Across venues, DRWC hosted movie nights, story time, art-making, and guided play to reach thousands of families citywide.
Live & Local Performances
In summer 2024, The Lazy Hammock stage debuted as a new gathering space for live music and nightlife at Spruce Street Harbor Park. From DJ sets to jazz dance parties, it added a vibrant layer of rhythm to the park’s laid-back atmosphere.
Signature Arts Programming
DRWC’s Waterfront Arts Program continues to bring bold, communityfocused arts to the Waterfront. Highlights include the annual Flag Exhibition featuring 16 artists from Philadelphia and beyond, and rotating, year-round exhibitions showcasing artists, mixed-media installations, and sculpture at Cherry Street Pier.
Current Projects
From South Philadelphia to Port Richmond, DRWC’s current projects include new trail segments, new connector streets, and two new parks. All of which stem from DRWC’s master plan.
01
South Wetlands Park
South Wetlands Park will restore riverfront wetlands and add elevated boardwalks across historic piers, creating a one-of-a-kind ecological park.
04 Penn Treaty Park Trail Extension
The Battery Extension will close a critical gap on the Delaware River Trail between Penn Treaty Park and The Battery, connecting the trail to one of the Waterfront’s most iconic landmarks.
02
Washington Avenue Connector
The Washington Avenue Connector will improve access from South Philadelphia to the Waterfront with new sidewalks, bike lanes, lighting, trees, and public space upgrades. The project transforms the corridor into a safer, greener, and more welcoming link to the river.
03
Penn’s Landing Park
The new Penn’s Landing Park will cap I-95, reconnect Center City to the river, and create 11.5 acres of public space with trails, skating, water features, and a café. As part of a $1.6 billion investment, it will reshape the city’s edge.
05
Delaware River Trail Extension Plan
DRWC is working to extend the Delaware River Trail between Columbia and Lehigh Avenues. Future improvements will strengthen bike and pedestrian access while reconnecting more communities to the river.
06
Cumberland Street Connector
The Cumberland Street Connector will link the Port Richmond and Olde Richmond neighborhoods to the Waterfront with streetscaping and safety improvements.
Private Investment
$2.3 B $462M
Rivermark; Sprouts Farmers Market
1,900+
Rivermark in private development since 2015 generated annually in economic activity with 3,710 jobs supported new residential units since 2015
600+ civic and communityfocused events in 2024
RiverLink Ferry passengers made the trip to and from the Camden Waterfront in 2024 Over
200K
Looking Ahead
The Delaware River Waterfront is entering a new chapter.
Construction is underway, new parks are taking shape, and long-term planning continues to guide growth.
At the center of this progress is the new Penn's Landing Park. This transformative 11.5-acre civic space will reconnect Center City and create a dynamic public park along the Waterfront. The park will feature flexible open spaces for performances and festivals, a custom playground with specialized equipment, a relocated RiverRink for winter ice skating, an dynamic water feature for summer cooling, an iconic pavilion and café building offering food and drink options, and beautiful gardens and groves that will be home to over 300 trees and native plants.
This once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment, led through a unique partnership between DRWC, the City of Philadelphia, and PennDOT, is estimated to open in 2029. It will serve as a model of civic infrastructure, green design, and community access.
Looking ahead, the park will anchor broader revitalization efforts for residential, retail, and public amenities. It’s a major step forward in making the Waterfront more connected and welcoming.
Just as important as what we build is how we build it. In the next year, DRWC is advancing its first Waterfront Sustainability & Resiliency Plan. This initiative will guide how we adapt to climate change, care for our landscapes, and ensure the public spaces we love today remain vibrant for generations to come.
Together with our partners, supporters, and the City of Philadelphia, we are shaping a Waterfront for the future.
11.5
Acres of Civic Space
Flexible Open Spaces for Performances + Festivals
Custom Playground
Winter Ice Skating
Summer Water Feature
Pavilion + Café Building
Offering Food + Drink
Gardens + Groves with 300 Trees + Native Plants
FEATURING
Groundbreaking Ceremony, Sept 2023
LEAD AUTHORS
Erika Joy Erb Tre Rials
PROJECT MANAGER Tre Rials
GRAPHIC DESIGN + CREATIVE DIRECTION
Lucy Price
ILLUSTRATION + MAP-MAKING
Melissa McFeeters
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Austin Marsdale
Matt Stanley
Cathy Berrie
Maria Young
Albert Lee
James B. Abbott
Alan Daher
RENDERINGS
HargreavesJones, courtesy of PennDOT Pennoni