/ Park User Surveys

Summary of "blocked access forms" show most train parking occurs during warmer months

We took the blocked access forms that park users submit to us and summarized the number of hours trains blocked Race and Locust Street by month between July 2004 and November 2005.  The data reveals that parking is more extentive during the warm months when the park is most heavily used.  But, it also shows that on average, trains block the crossings 3-4  hours per day.  This finding leaves us to draw the conclusion that while the parking is a flucuating problem, overall, trains are on the tracks a small portion of the day on average, and don't warrant the building of an pedestrian overpass.


October 2005 On-line Survey Results

Read the Results for the Future of Free Schuylkill River Park

May 2005 Count a Success!

Many thanks to volunteers Terry Gillen, Mark Hughes, Ed Berkowitz, Harold Jacobs, Owen Sindler, Kevin Gruenfeld, Elisabeth Meddin and Rob Stuart for helping Free Schuylkill River Park "man" the tables on Sunday, May 8th and Monday, May 9th.  From our results, we estimate that over 6000 people enter and use the park on a weekly basis.  We found that 5 times as many people use the Locust Street entrance as the Race Street entrance.  Park users sent 120 letters to City Council and  Mayor Street using our "laptop on the spot" (thank you Historic Properties for the use of your electricity!).  Approximately another 100 people signed up for email updates.  Read the results here

November 2004 Park User Count

September 2004 Park User Survey

Philadelphia Loves Its Schuylkill River Park Trail!

Volunteers get an accurate count of  Park usage. Sitting at the Locust Street crossing on Sunday, November 7th and Monday, November 8th from 6 AM to 5 PM, they counted people entering the Park.  The final tally is that over 1300 people used the Park on Sunday and over 600 used it on Monday.  Many thanks to the following folks who braved the cold to help count and talk to Park users: Ed Berkowitz, Judy Zimmering, Rob Stuart, Perry Benson, Elise Kraemer, John Boyle, Sharon Blumberg and Minx Hui.  It was great meeting those of you that stopped by our table!  Thanks for your spport.

November 2004 Park User Count

Park Count Schedule  Sunday November 7 & Monday November 8

 

 

 

                        Sunday

                       Monday

 

 

 

  6am-7am

9

51

  7am-8am

20

70

  8am-9am

74

73

  9am-10am

95

77

 10am-11am

125

35

 11am-12pm

214

31

 12 pm-1 pm

140

66

 1pm-2pm

136

50

 2pm-3pm

120

43

 3pm-4pm

200

48

 4pm-5pm

201

73

Total Park Users

1334

617

 

Park User Survey Results – 09/30/04

Schuylkill River Park Trail

 

148 (95%) out of 150 respondents use the Park for exercise
Followed by:

  • Relaxation (48%)
  • Commuting (22%)
  • Dog Walking (12%)
  • Fishing (1.9%)



74% of the respondents think the trail is wide enough

23% of the respondents do not think it is wide enough

 

 

Landscaping was the improvement most favored by respondents (70%)

Followed by:

  • Benches (49%)
  • Water Fountains (33%)
  • Public Art (29%)
  • Running Path (25%)
  • Docks (23%)
  • Information Boards (19%)
  • Restrooms (17%)
  • Food Service (17%)

 

Locust Street is the most frequently used access point of respondents (64%)

Followed by:

 

     •         Race Street (21%)
     •         West River Drive (8.3%)
     •         Market/Chestnut St. Ramps (3.8%)
     •         Walnut St. Stairs (1.9%)


 

Access Blocked by Parked Trains is the top concern amongst respondents (82%)

Followed by:

      •         Homeless (48%)
      •         Crossing safety (42%)
      •         Personal safety (32%)

      •         Trash (27%)
      •         Crowding on the trail (14%)

 

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