South Wetlands Park

The South Philadelphia Wetlands Park is a testbed for innovative adaptive reuse techniques and technologies that may soon serve as a unique model for urban ecological restoration. As part of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s effort to turn abandoned areas along the Delaware River into a thriving park system, McLaren Engineering Group and the project team are focused on designs for piers 64, 67 and 70 that blend public access with the creation of terrestrial and aquatic habitats that will enhance and revive resiliency and ecological vitality in the area.

Working with the public to develop an ecological, community-centered park, concepts were developed that employ natural processes in riverbank stabilization and innovative wave energy dissipation to ensure a resilient waterfront for years to come.

Comparing designs that consider pier reconstruction, vegetation and habitat, McLaren and the project team reviewed the costs associated with designs with a linear or curvature boardwalk that connect the various piers, and a deep breakwater verse a wave screen and upland habitat. All designs were developed to provide a nature-based public space with an elegant framework, robust ecology and access for all.