Projects In Manayunk - MNYK

Manayunk Bridge

Now there’s more reason than ever to believe it will cross the water over a reopened bridge and connect with downtown Manayunk and trail networks on the eastern side of the river.  Last week PennDOT announced that the City of Philadelphia was granted $1.3 million to extend the Cynwyd Heritage Trail over the historic Manayunk Viaduct.  In a first round of the grants two years ago, Lower Merion got $350,000 also in connection with the trail project. It is to be used for improvements to the Cynwyd Station access point, including handicapped access.

If the Manayunk Bridge can be reopened, “it will make an actual physical connection for a trail that will run all the way from the Cynwyd Station to Manayunk,” he said.

The Philadelphia Water Dept. is committed to building a sewage overflow tank on Lower Venice Island. In response, the community secured funding for planning and invited the City Departments to participate in creating a concept that would address the City’s concerns, but would ultimately create a park, recreation, and performance center to be managed by the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Dept. 

Designed by Andropogon Assoc., the park will become the center for both culture and activities for the area. The new park will feature State of the Art Water features to demonstrate water retention in an urban environment, recreation facilities for basketball and hockey, space for a dock, outdoor sculpture, a Performance facility with 250 seats and the ability to host performances outside plus over 200 parking spaces. The parking will be accessed from both Cotton and Lock Streets.

What is known as the Manayunk Canal is actually one remaining segment of a canal system that once was over 106 miles long, going from the anthracite region of Schuylkill County down the Schuylkill River into Philadelphia. The Manayunk Canal Project has long been a top priority for Manayunk. It’s location directly behind Main Street businesses creates the perfect opportunity to create store facades along the canal and use it as a watered commercial street.