Watering Manayunk: Some Parks, a Canal, a Lock, and a Tank

In partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Love Your Park Week, the Fairmount Water Works is offering this special tour! This special park tour has two parts. Do just the first hour, or both.We'll visit the new Venice Island Recreation Center with its green-roofed stormwater tank, river-themed art, and beautiful spray park. See the intact Lock 69 at the outlet of the Manayunk Canal, which was built in 1819 when Manayunk was barely a settlement, and the towpath linear park. In the second hour we'll walk uphill to the new Cynwyd Trail, just opened in 2015 atop the Manayunk Railroad Bridge, for a spectacular view of the canal and river. How did the canal take us almost 200 years later to the need for a stormwater tank? Hear the story from Manayunk resident Sandy Sorlien, a watershed educator and expert in the Schuylkill Navigation system. Optional: stick around for lunch or shopping on Main Street, or view the peregrine falcons of Pretzel Park.   Part I has about a mile of easy walking; add 2 miles round-trip for Part II. Parking: lot at Venice Island Train: SEPTA Norristown line to Manayunk Station