CNBNews

“As part of Philadelphia’s goal of becoming the greenest city in America, we want to encourage those who live in, work in and visit Philadelphia to participate in the many outdoor activities our city has to offer,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Over the past two years, nearly 4,000 people have participated in the experience,  and I applaud the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Delaware River Waterfront Corporation for their continued efforts in creating outdoor recreation opportunities. Let's get paddling on the river and have some fun!”

The “Paddle Penn’s Landing” program is open to the public on Fridays from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon - 8:00 p.m. The kayaks and swan boats launch from the Penn’s Landing Marina, just south of the Independence Seaport Museum and Ferry Dock, where the water is calm and where boaters will be far removed from the boat traffic of the Delaware River.

The kayaking program is available for experienced and first-time paddlers, however, participants must be 12 years of age or older. Kayak rental is $8 per person and includes a 10-minute overview introduction to the sport, as well as instruction on basic strokes, safety tips and supervision while on the water. Eight solo kayaks and three two-person kayaks are available for rent.

The pedal swan boats also cost $10 per person and are ideal for families with children under the age of 12, or for boaters who would like to leisurely experience the Delaware River and enjoy the great views. The 12 swan boats available for rent are easily powered by foot pedals and can seat two people and a small child. All kayak and swan boat participants will be required to wear life jackets.

“Too few Philadelphians get to experience the Delaware River, and PEC is determined to change that,” said Patrick Starr, Senior Vice President of PEC’s Southeast Region. “Paddle Penn’s Landing is a way for folks to ‘get their feet wet’ and will be transformative for them as they touch the water and learn about the River’s importance to their lives. It’s our goal to get 5,000 people on the water this year!”  

“Paddle Penn’s Landing” staff will also educate participants about the environmental and economic value of the Delaware River.

“This program furthers the civic vision and mission of DRWC: to reconnect Philadelphia with the river,” said Tom Corcoran, President of DRWC. For more information on “Paddle Penn’s Landing”, please visit www.tidaltrail.org.

About Pennsylvania Environmental Council

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council promotes the protection and restoration of the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy with the private sector, government, individuals and communities as partners to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.

About Penn’s Landing

Public Programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without the continued support of corporate partners such as PECO, Verizon, Pennsylvania Lottery, Live Nation, the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community.

About DRWC:

The 2011 Summer Program of Free Events at Penn’s Landing is funded and produced by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC).  All events produced by DRWC are FREE to the public on the new RiverStage on the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, and Philadelphia’s premier Delaware River waterfront entertainment destination.  The DRWC is a nonprofit corporation created in January 2009 exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens.

The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop and manage the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia. DRWC is transforming the waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia.

For more information and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visitwww.delawareriverevents.com.   This website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help visitors plan to easily park, play and stay all day at Penn's Landing.