A decade in the making, Bridesburg’s Robert A. Borski, Jr. Park will be open to the public on July 11th at 10 am with a dedication ceremony taking place at 3150 Orthodox Street in Philadelphia.
The Borski Splash! community celebration will follow at the new park on July 12, 10 am to 2 pm. Riverfront North Partnership and The City of Philadelphia have transformed a vacant industrial lot into unprecedented river access for residents and recreation enthusiasts from all over the city.
This park features beautiful riverfront views, a multi-purpose lawn, an upland meadow, walking trails, restrooms, and parking. It juxtaposes natural features with the legacy of heavy industry, including the concrete “lava mountain” shoreline, made from decades of dumping leftover concrete from the factory into the Delaware River. The completed park emphasizes ecological restoration and green infrastructure. It is part of the 11-mile North Delaware Riverfront Greenway, as well as the regional Circuit Trails and national East Coast Greenway networks. It has introduced nearly 400 new native trees and shrubs, helping to restore the tree canopy in Philadelphia and reduce the urban heat island effect.
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson says, “It is not every day that the City opens a new riverfront park. With a unified community and Riverfront North in support, we know that it will be the welcoming and inclusive space for the entire City to enjoy.”
The park is named after Congressman Robert A. Borski, Jr., a native of the 45th ward, who served the 3rd Congressional District from 1983 to 2003. “I saw how cities turned their riverfronts into parks and trails as I traveled the country,” says Congressman Bob Borski, “I believed Northeast Philadelphians deserved the same.” Borski founded Riverfront North in 2004 to realize this vision. This is the eighth and final park in Riverfront North’s original Master Plan created over 20 years ago. A new Friends of Borski Park group will partner with Riverfront North to host free outdoor and volunteer programs throughout the year. The Friends evolved from a committee of dedicated Bridesburg residents formed in 2019, all of whom shared the dream of this park for their community.
“This is a neighborhood park and a city-wide destination,” says Riverfront North Executive Director Stephanie Phillips, “It is restoring river access for a community that has been disconnected from it for generations, and our role is to support our community in its best and highest use as a public space”
The dedication ceremony on Friday, July 11th will take place at 10 am at Borski Park. It will feature remarks from Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA); Congressman Robert A. Borski, Jr.; Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson; Councilmember Mike Driscoll; City and State officials; and Shawn McCaney, Executive Director of The William Penn Foundation. The Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes & Drums will perform. The following day, Borski Splash!, a public community celebration of the park opening, will take place from 10 am-2 pm.
The community is invited to explore this new space and enjoy music, games, and good company. The William Penn Foundation provided catalytic support at the beginning of the project, with dedicated funding for community engagement to build trust and a sense of ownership even before the park broke ground.
Shawn McCaney, Executive Director, says, “We need welcoming, safe public places where people can connect in person — high-quality, well-maintained parks, trails, libraries, and community centers for all Philadelphians. Investing in them is good for residents and good for democracy.”
The park is the result of over $7.1 million in private, local, state, and federal support. “We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from everyone who has helped us develop and build this park,” says RNP Chair Michael Mattioni. “The park is an achievement for all Philadelphians.”
