Philly vs CSX

This is a local group in our neighborhood that is fighting CSX for grade crossings onto the bike path that goes from Locust St passed the Art Museum and to Falls Bridge. The path is also being extended south to Bartran's (Bertrams?) Gardens. CSX is suing the city and wants to close off the entrances. They don't want to assume liability if and when someone ignores the gate and gets hit by a train. Frankly I'm willing to give in, but these bulldogs (theFree Schuykill River Park Coalition) just will not give up! The way they have organized people around this issue is impressive. They have shown me that activism is about passion, energy, determination, as well as being well-connected and having a good knowledge of the process. Phew, that sounds tiring. Do I have it in me?


Reaching the Hidden River—Update December 15, 2004
Tomorrow City Council will consider a Resolution in Support of Free Schuylkill River Park and condemning the CSX Lawsuit!!
Come Show Your Support

Your faxes were heard!! The more than 3000 faxes you sent to City Council and the Mayor about the need for the City to vigorously defend against the CSX lawsuit has galvanized City Council to consider a strong Resolution . City Council President Anna Verna and Councilman Darrell Clarke will help our cause by introducing a resolution deploring CSX and its efforts to deprive Philadelphians of public access to the Park. This resolution will be introduced tomorrow (December 16th) at 10 am at City Hall. If you can spare the time, please attend this hearing to show your support for the Resolution. City Council asked us not to post the resolution on our website yet, but if you want to see a copy, send us an email here and we'll send it to you as an attachment.

Lawsuit Update

Also on Thursday, December 16, 2004, Free Schuylkill River Park, along with three other groups and five elected officials, will file a motion to intervene in the CSX lawsuit. We were joined by Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Parks Alliance, State Senator Vincent Fumo, State Representative Babette Josephs, City Council President Anna Verna, Councilman Darrell Clarke and Councilman Jack Kelley. We will post the motions and briefs on the website as soon as possible, so please check back to our website if you want to read the them.

Many thanks to the hard work of Janine Bauer, who is representing the parties, the staff of the parties involved and the attorneys who provided pro bono advice and research time (Hal Schirmer, Ted Millstein of Berger & Montague and Steven Springer).

We expect a hearing on January 5th before Judge Bruce Kaufman in the Eastern District of Federal Court. Check your email for more updates on how this case progresses.

Free Schuylkill River Park

Sarah Clark Stuart and Russell Meddin