Image: Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Click for full size map and PDF of trail closure details.

The construction of an underground storage basin at Venice Island is underway, and demolition of the existing recreation facilities is complete. Also, clearing and grubbing has wrapped up. This is the process of tagging existing trees and vegetation that will remain and removing vegetation that is not part of the final landscape plan. Many trees that existed on the island will remain a part of the completed landscape.

Next up: construction of the temporary parking lot where the recreation  facilities used to be. The construction of the parking lot should be complete by mid-December. PWD’s contractors and the Manayunk Development Corporation will install signs to alert patrons of the changes in parking and traffic. We will be sure to provide firm dates as soon as we have them.

Stay tuned for more info on the Venice Island groundbreaking ceremony on November 1 at 10:30 a.m. Join Mayor Michael Nutter, Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler, PWD Commissioner Howard Neukrug and others as we celebrate the beginning of the various projects going on in Manayunk.

Take note: The entire length of the Manayunk Canal Towpath will be closed to all trail users as Philadelphia Parks & Recreation perform necessary improvements. Work is scheduled from October to the end of December 2011.

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