Race Street Pier, Park in Philadelphia, US
Race Street Pier is a riverside park along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, USA. It extends over the water with two walking levels, a long lawn, more than thirty trees, and stone or wood seating that faces the river and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
The park was built on a former shipping pier, and parts of its older steel and wood structure remain visible in the planters and railings. Recycled materials were used for the upper walkway, tying the rebuilt space back to the city’s industrial waterfront past.
Near the entrance, a small corner dedicated to local community figure Judith Eden sits close to the road and often goes unnoticed by people walking past. Visitors tend to spend their time at the far end of the pier, where the open water and the bridge create a natural gathering spot.
The pier stays open from seven in the morning until eleven at night, so early walks and evening visits are both possible. Wear comfortable shoes because the path is long and you will want to walk to the far end for the best views.
Many of the trees on the pier were first grown for a memorial at Ground Zero in New York before being brought to Philadelphia. At high tide, the water comes within four and a half feet of the lower walkway, which can surprise people seeing the river rise so close.
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