Lander's Point

Lander's Point in Tacony gets upgraded to Park Status along with a face-lift that will accommodate hundreds of users daily from surrounding neighborhoods.  Groundbreaking took place Monday on the new 4.5-acre park that will replace the current paved surface with greenery, wetlands, benches, picnic tables, solar lighting and composting restroom facility.

Plans are to have most of the river's edge restored to a natural state, which will yield wildlife habitat.  The work will include demolition and removal of concrete ramp structures and concrete and asphalt paving throughout the site.  A river overlook and fishing pier at the river's edge will be part of the new park along with, riparian edge restoration, the creation of tidal wetlands, and the restoration of a riverbank forest area for picnicking and passive recreational activities.

The park will be a gateway and trailhead for the Delaware River Heritage Trail and will be a link in the East Coast Greenway that runs from Main to Florida.  This trailhead will include a drinking fountain, walking trails, park and trail furniture and the necessary infrastructure to support these amenities.

Plans for the park were developed by Baltimore's Biohabitats, the same landscape architecture firm that designed Washington Avenue Green in South Philadelphia.  Construction of the project is expected to cost $1.5 million.  All of the money has been raised with about half coming from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  Other funding sources include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Wildlife Fund.