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In May, a new 1/2-mile section of the Delaware River Trail, winding from the Pier 70 shopping center to Washington Avenue, was officially opened. The original concept for the trail was created by WRT for the Center City District and the alignment and design developed by WRT and Urban Engineers as part of the firm's Civic Vision for Central Delaware.

"The Delaware River Trail is the first step in implementing the greater Civic Vision for the Central Delaware. For too long, Philadelphians have been cut off from our waterfront. Today, we begin the process of reclaiming it," said Mayor Nutter. "Over the following months, we will continue to invest in our waterfront to make it cleaner, greener and easily accessible."

The trail's completion is the first phase in a plan that will extend it north and ultimately to connect to the trail being built on the north Delaware and will eventually be a part of the East Coast Greenway—a 3,000 mile trail from Maine to Florida. The project involved the re-marking and widening of approximately .85 miles of existing concrete pathway and the addition of .5 miles of new asphalt trail, as well as the installation of new fencing, gates and custom trail signage. Along the trail, existing vegetation has been cleaned up and trimmed in order to enhance views of the river.

"This project was inspired by the Schuylkill River Trail and by every city that has made its waterfront accessible to local residents, said Center City District President and CEO Paul R. Levy. "As a resident of Center City, I love having the opportunity to bike safely along the Delaware with my family and I look forward to the day when this trail will connect seamlessly to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and to the north Delaware."