By the looks of this blog, you might think we over here at Alstin eat, breathe and sleep all that is recruitment and retention. Every so often we’ll stray from the HR talk and bring you more on some of our favorite things, places and activities that also populate our daily lives.
Next time you’re in town – for work or to escape it -
the Schuylkill Banks deserves an hour of your time.
Despite Philadelphia’s rank as the second-largest city on the East Coast, it’s home to a surprising number of parks and trails. One, the Schulylkill Banks, is a metropolitan version of a boardwalk. Though the wakes caused by the river’s many sculls can’t rival those made by the speedboats racing down the New Jersey shoreline, I find running along the river as stimulating (and relaxing) as I do the Atlantic Ocean.
Doublechecking my spelling on www.schuylkillbanks.org, I found more than I expected about The Banks, including a breath-defying definition of what has become my favorite Philly fitness trail: “Philadelphia’s newest riverfront destination, Schuylkill Banks is home to greenways, parks, docks, the nation’s leading educational institutions, award-winning residential developments and active industrial sites that are making way for livable spaces.” Turns out, there are kayak and river tours, outdoor movies, and a bunch of construction as the Schuylkill River Development Corporation Destination begins a flurry of “Priority Projects” that will enhance the trail’s appearance and make it more accessible to surrounding sections of the city.
Here’s my running tour of some of “The Banks” most interesting sites.
My usual run begins just after 7am outside my gym (VigorWorks on 13th & Walnut). I head up Walnut on the sidewalk for about eight blocks, jog down the winding staircase at 22nd and onto the paved path, and join a steady stream of runners, bikers (Spandexed exercisers and suited commuters), walkers, and doggy Moms and Dads making their way along the picturesque path. Here, I come across my favorite running partners – the whales that are part of the series of huge building murals done by Wyland. From there, I head through a short series of underpasses which seem to be perpetually under construction and are a great place for a short sprint. Next is the only negative of The Banks – the Trash Train. There’s a train that travels along the tracks next to the path transporting (you guessed it) trash that is quite fragrant on the days I am unlucky enough to pass it. Moving past the tracks I head up a slight incline and come upon an empty area to my right that, according to a sign that’s been there forever, is supposed to become a skatepark. I’m now a stone’s throw from the Art Museum and ready to enter an older underpass while watching out for bikers who use it as a chute of sorts (can’t blame them…it seems fast and fun). Emerging and looking to up to the right, I see the gorgeous new hillside pathways with the iron railings that leads up to picture-perfect gazebos. To the left is the fountain just before the historic WaterWorks location – now a restaurant with views to dine for. This is the part of the path that leads to the start of Boathouse Row. Though this section gets a bit busier, the flow of fine young crew team members, more mature but impressively active recreational rowers (who I’m sure at one point were fine young crew team members themselves), commuters and dog walkers give each other just enough space. Though my 28 year old brain urges me to keep going, my 39 year old body usually reminds me that I still have to run back. I spy my usual turnaround point – the Viking, tap him on the foot, take a deep breath and make my way back along The Banks, happy with the time I’ve deposited.
I’ve worked in CC for 24 years and didn’t know a thing about this. Thanks for the insights . . . and I’m impressed with your early morning exercise fortitude.