RiverPlace on the Schuylkill

The word “anticipation” always makes me think of Christmas—eagerly awaiting the sunrise, and dashing down the steps with my sister to look at our stockings full of goodies. Here at RiverPlace, there’s a great deal of anticipation about the GiggleWorks—the hands-on children’s museum that will be a wonderful gift to the young people of Greater Reading.

Imagine: a please-touch museum, which will help kids develop natural curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a healthy interest in their surroundings—and all right here in our community. We can’t wait for the museum to open; however, there are a few kinks that need to be worked out first.

The biggest issue is location, location, location. Bob Behling, our Executive Vice President, has said that we’re on the cusp of an announcement, but he can’t say where or when. This only adds to the anticipation.

In the meantime, this museum needs supporters to get started. Anyone with an interest in children, education, volunteering, or any combination of the above is invited to contribute to the education of our future leaders (literally!) by visiting our website www.RiverPlacePA.com and clicking on the GiggleWorks link under project updates.

As a designated writer for RiverPlace, I’ve recently been working on a signage project for the Port of Reading Heritage Trail. This trail will stretch through many parts of the city and its surrounding areas, through various waypoints that are significant to the city’s roots in the 1800s—during the time of canal transportation.

My partner in this project is Glenn Wenrich, a canal expert and enthusiast. We have combined efforts to compose the text which will be presented on the trail signs, attempting the difficult task of keeping this material historically accurate, interesting, and brief. We’ve covered the basics—describing the two different canal systems that met in Reading, their origins and destinations, and their unique structures. Reading’s history is based on these canals, whose locks and dams were tended by local families and whose boatyards and related businesses were constantly bustling. Glenn can pinpoint the precise locations of canal locks, along with their numbers and the names of their tenders. He knows all about the Reading Railroad, and how it eventually overtook the Union and Schuylkill Canals as the most efficient manner of transportation in the area.

In our copy-editing meetings, Glenn and I have ventured off onto numerous canal-related tangents. While discussing a certain point of interest, he told me stories about how the Pagoda’s multi-colored lights were used to inform Reading’s inhabitants about whether or not conditions were favorable for ice skating in City Park. During a conversation about the mules that towed canal boats, he described the blacksmiths that cared for the mules’ hooves, in particular ones that shoed them for their difficult jobs. I was told stories about George Washington’s high opinion of a canal in Myerstown, and the way in which coal silt accumulated in the waterways of Pennsylvania, causing great damage.

Who would have thought that canals could be so interesting? There we sat—the canal expert and the grammar guru, collaborating on a project to educate people about the history of our area. My ignorance combined with his expertise created an interesting forum for discussion, and hopefully produced a well-balanced collection of signs that will accomplish our goal.

A sense of satisfied calm has settled over RiverPlace after the chaos that was last week.

Early on the morning of June 3rd, over 120 runners took part in the 2007 RiverPlace Run. The weather was working in our favor--even though it looked like it could rain at any time, no drops fell until later in the afternoon. After the runners made their way back to the barn in Schlegel Park, they reclined on the grassy hill, enjoying snacks and awaiting the presentation of awards.

The run was a great success, and the energy that accompanied this second annual event carried over into the work week that was filled with presentations of the designs for the new riverfront park.

Two representatives from Sasaki Associates, the design firm out of Watertown, Massachusetts, were in town to take part in a series of meetings in which RiverPlace and the community as a whole became familiar with three alternative concepts for the planned RiverPlace Amphitheater Park. A vast array of local leaders, government officials, and interested parties came out to the public meeting and open house held on Wednesday evening to contribute their suggestions to the design process.

Now that the design alternatives have been officially unveiled, it’s exciting to picture this park becoming a reality! Each design incorporates open green space, informal seating areas, a stage for performances, and a play fountain. For more information on the park, visit http://www.riverplacepa.com/PhilosophersLandingAmphitheater.htm

With the busy week behind us, a great deal of attention has shifted to the Solar Flair event. We’re just about one week away from the official first day of summer, and are in the process of pinning down the last-minute details, not to mention getting the word out about this free family event! For information ranging from a list of scheduled performers to a map of the Art Walk Trail, visit http://www.riverplacepa.com/Solar_Flair_07.htm

Things are really heating up at RiverPlace. The month of June is filled with promise and excitement, as three major events are in the works within the next 30 days.

First off is the 2nd Annual RiverPlace Run. The 5K Run or 1.5 Mile Walk will kick off at Schlegel Park this coming Sunday, June 3rd, at 9 a.m. This event offers a wonderful chance for individuals to take in the beauty of the Thun Trail, including the new pedestrian bridge over Lancaster Ave. Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to this event, which offers awards for top finishers in various age groups, T-shirts, and refreshments. The 2006 RiverPlace Run was a great success for athletes, sponsors, and volunteers alike.

The week following the 5K Run will bring representatives from Sasaki Associates to town to discuss the new Riverfront Park design. The park will be constructed at the former Orange Car site just north of the Penn Street Bridge. On Wednesday, June 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. an open house and public meeting will take place at the GoggleWorks for neighbors and interested citizens to see the various concepts for the park. The Sasaki design team will be on hand for a question and answer session, and members of the public are encouraged to attend and give their input about the park. The current vision for the park includes a play fountain, labyrinth, green space and performance venue.

Greater Reading will welcome summer on June 21st with the Solar Flair art & music walk from 5 to 8 p.m. This year’s Solar Flair will be bigger and better than last year’s event, as more entertainment will be offered along the Art Walk Trail. This free family event includes musical performances, working artists, dancers, and much more between 5th and Penn Streets in Reading, the GoggleWorks, and the Reading Public Museum. A free shuttle service will run between free parking areas at the GoggleWorks, 4th and Cherry Streets, and other locations along the Art Walk Trail.

Needless to say, with all of these events coming up, the RiverPlace office is bustling with activity. Our staff is working hard to coordinate volunteers, confirm meeting times and attendees, and remember to take various important items to places where they’ll be utilized. As the to-do lists grow longer and the weather gets hotter, it’s refreshing to know that each step forward for RiverPlace helps to unite the community around its most important natural resource.

Yesterday, I dealt with the logistics of where to store an 8-foot-long dragon boat. I do not have an ordinary job.

As a new hire at RiverPlace, I’ve been learning the ropes of an organization that is quite unique. I have also been spending a lot of the past month explaining to my friends and family what RiverPlace actually is. Since I’ve had so much practice at describing the concept of RiverPlace to people face to face, I figured I’d tackle doing so on the Internet, as well.

RiverPlace on the Schuylkill is a truly dynamic organization. When I was researching the company as a potential employer, I was struck by the remarkable number of projects and events described on its website (www.riverplacepa.com). Sure, these projects are focused on the areas traversed by the Schuylkill River. But dive deeper into the mission of the organization: we see the river as a CATALYST to develop something greater for the community as a whole.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a perfect example. It’s going on as I’m typing. In my first week on the job I was almost knocked over by a man rushing into our office, in a hurry to speak with our Executive Vice President Bob Behling about a shopping trip to New York. This man was Doug Fisher, the festival chairman, who is a volunteer. He’s really fun to talk to—he almost boils over with enthusiasm about this festival. In fact, he’s already planning for next year.

People like Doug are why RiverPlace is really gaining momentum. Our board of directors, which is comprised of local government, business, and civic representatives, is steering us into the future. When the organization was founded in 2003, there were big dreams. Those visions have only expanded and multiplied in the past four years, due to input from the citizens of Greater Reading.

What am I most excited about? It’s hard to say. The RiverPlace Amphitheater at Philosopher’s Landing is a hot topic right now. The amphitheater will be constructed just north of the Penn Street Bridge, close to the RACC campus. It will be a venue for outdoor performances as well as informal gatherings, with lawn seating, a fountain, and a stage outfitted with lighting and sound equipment. We’re in the process of selecting a design team that will bring the amphitheater to life.

I’m also working a great deal with the team planning this year’s Solar Flair art walk. Last year was the first Solar Flair event, which will be held annually on June 21, the first day of summer. The Art Walk Trail connects the GoggleWorks with the Reading Public Museum—and it only takes 30 minutes to cover that distance! Musicians and artwork are dotted along the trail, which has now been extended from 5th & Penn Streets down to the GoggleWorks. Food and hip-hop dancers will be included in the festivities, as well.

This is all in the works. That is what is so interesting about working at RiverPlace—I’m watching it all happen. All of these projects and events are being planned by volunteers and funded by community-minded sponsors, and RiverPlace is the facilitator of these wonderful partnerships.

Needless to say, I’ve been learning a lot. The pace is quick, but I’m working hard to keep up. I encourage you, if you’re interested in learning more about RiverPlace, to go to our website for more information. Drop us an e-mail or give us a call.

Oh, and if you were wondering—the dragon boat will lead the canoe and kayak flotilla down the river at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 as part of the “closing ceremony” for the Cherry Blossom Festival. What would a flotilla be without a dragon boat?