Meet Me on the Banks

Meet Me on the Banks

The city's newest waterfront destination, Schuylkill Banks, kicks off its first full season of events and new marketing campaign

PHILADELPHIA, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The "hidden river," as the Dutch settlers called Philadelphia's beloved Schuylkill River, is a secret no more. What once was an industrial thoroughfare has been transformed into a vibrant, urban waterfront, complete with lush landscaping, biking and walking trails, river boat cruises, skateboarders, kayakers, and a serene spot to enjoy concerts, movies and other events.

Thanks to the commitment of the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Fairmount Park Commission, Bartram's Garden, numerous corporations, foundations and other supporters, the lower banks of the Schuylkill River has undergone a dramatic transformation. At the helm of this multiyear effort is the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), the nonprofit organization spearheading the revitalization of the Schuylkill River waterfront -- between the Fairmount Dam and the Delaware River.

Today, SRDC is launching its first full season of outdoor public programs beginning June 10 and running through October 21. It is also kicking off its new "Meet me on the Banks" marketing campaign, giving residents and visitors a reason to experience the venue and connect with one of Philadelphia's greatest hidden treasures.

Gerard H. Sweeney, chairman of SRDC's board, and president and CEO of Brandywine Reality Trust, believes Schuylkill Banks will join other national waterfront venues as a premier destination with a unique history and experience. "We have so much to be proud of," said Sweeney. "SRDC has done a terrific job transforming this 1.8 mile stretch of the river into a place where people can bring their families and enjoy the waterfront from a very special vantage point."

Sweeney estimates that between 10,000 to 12,000 people per week currently visit Schuylkill Banks, and that number is expected to increase with the new marketing campaign and the events planned for the 2006 season.

"This year is the most exciting for us because the trail and beautification efforts are complete, and we're up and running with our new River Boat Cruises, kayak tours, regatta, and all of our on-land concerts, movies and events," said Joe Syrnick, president and CEO of SRDC. "We also want to encourage everyone to stop by our new Schuylkill Banks Information Center and see what we have planned for 2006."

Syrnick said that among the newest additions to the Schuylkill Banks lineup are the River Boat Tours and Cruises, presented by SCA Americas, which donated $25,000 to get the program up and running. Other major funders include the William Penn Foundation, PNC Bank, and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. The daytime and evening cruises will feature guided tours, music and a cash bar. Special kayak tours, complete with an hour of instruction, will also take place leaving from the dock on the foot of the Walnut Street Bridge.

Among the other signature events will be the second annual Schuylkill Banks Regatta, presented by Toll Brothers at Naval Square. Last year more than 600 rowers from six states and Canada took part in the day-long race and festival, and this year that number is expected to almost double. "We look at our involvement with SRDC as a great partnership because we are both committed to improving the communities that connect to the Schuylkill Banks," said Paul Commito, vice president of Toll Brothers. "This year we anticipate the regatta will be even more exciting because the rowers last year absolutely loved rowing on this scenic and challenging course."

In addition to the regatta and the river boat cruises and kayak tours, SRDC has created a diverse series of events including the "World's Largest Hopscotch" and the first "Pet Fest," where animal lovers can bring their best friends for a day of pet pampering. The following is the complete 2006 event schedule:

Date Time Event Details

Kayak Tours
May 27 10:00AM Guided Kayak Tours of
June 17 12:00PM Schuylkill River - leaving
July 1, 2, 4, from Walnut Street dock
15, 29

Schuylkill Banks
River Tours
June 10-Aug. 5 Scenic River Cruises: Presented by
Thursdays 5:00PM Walnut Street Depart SCA Americas
7:00PM Walnut Street Depart
Saturdays 2:00PM Bartram's Garden Depart
4:00PM Walnut Street Depart
June 24, July 8 7:00PM Jazz Cruises:
July 22, Aug. 5 Walnut Street Depart

Meet Me on the
Banks Kickoff
Friday, June 9 All Day Schuylkill Sojourn
Press Event Cruise Launch
7:30PM SBC Grand Opening Saul Broudy
Concert & Friends
(Folk & Bluegrass)

Rockin' on the
River - June 22-25
Concert Series
Thursday, June 22 7:30PM- Randy Lippincott Band Philly Style Blues
9:30PM
Friday, June 23 Conjunto 23 Cuban
Saturday, June 24 Flexible Flyer Rock/Newgrass
Sunday, June 25 3:00PM- The Mighty Aires Gospel
5:00PM of Wilmington, DE

Reelin' on
the River
Thursday, June 15 8:30PM Skateboard Movie "Dogtown and
Z-Boys"
Friday, July 14 8:30PM Bastille Day Movie "Red Balloon"
"Charade"

Salute to the Banks
Tuesday, July 4th All Day July 4th Event Kayak Tours
"Worlds Longest
Hopscotch!"
DJ & Food

Pet Fest
Sunday, Aug. 20 TBD Dog Days of Summer Sponsored by
Pet Pampering Town & Country
Kennel

2nd Annual Regatta
Saturday, Oct. 21 All Day Schuylkill Banks Sponsored by
Regatta Toll Bros.
at Naval Square

Standard Funk
Promotions
Bi-weekly DJ 6:30PM- Music - Standard 5/31, 6/14, 6/28,
9:30PM Funk Promotions 7/12, 7/26, 8/9,
8/23

Residents and visitors will start seeing the "Meet Me on the Banks" slogan in print advertisements, promotions and other external communications beginning today. For more information on the Schuylkill Banks events, or to book any of the River Boat Tours call 1-888-RIV-PHIL (748-7445) or visit the Schuylkill Banks Information Center located under the Walnut Street Bridge, or visit SRDC's website http://www.schuylkillbankstours.org/.

SRDC's mission is to achieve positive change on the river for the benefit of the city, region and commonwealth. All programs and events are in support of the City of Philadelphia's "New River City" initiative. SRDC is also a participant in "Boundless Philadelphia," created by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.

Source: Schuylkill River Development Corporation

CONTACT: Dava Guerin of Guerin Public Relations, Inc. for Schuylkill
River Development Corporation, +1-215-914-2040 or +1-215-262-0740; Nicole
Allen, Communications Manager of Schuylkill River Development Corporation,
+1-215-985-9393 x103

Web site: http://www.schuylkillbankstours.org/

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