The Return of the Glow at Boathouse Row
If you live in the Philadelphia area, you know Boathouse Row. Whether the line of historic boathouses was the backdrop for an evening stroll with your family after visiting the nearby Philadelphia Museum of Art or you’ve stopped by for a regatta or family-friendly Navy run.
But the iconic attraction—best known for being outlined in lights after sunset—had been dark until last month.
After more than a year, a project by Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to upgrade the previous light system for Boathouse Row was completed for $2.1 million. The project was backed by the Joanna McNeil Trust and the City of Philadelphia.
Governed by The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, Boathouse Row consists of 12 structures for 15 historic rowing clubs and a recreation center.
The previous lights had been experiencing outages because of maintenance issues, “damage from animals” and weather, according to a news release. Replacing the lights also allowed for repairs to sections of the boathouses previously inaccessible by the lights as well.
Now with 6,400 individual LED lights, designed by women-owned local lighting design firm The Lighting Practice, and 16 million color combinations, the lighting system expands on what the previous one could do. With the option to change from one color to another, lights can be programmed in such a way that they appear to “sparkle or ‘dance’”.
The lighting effects also serve to highlight the architectural features of the structures.
Dating back to 1979 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, Boathouse Row was last refurbished in 2016. Visit Philadelphia names some time-honored traditions for families held there, including the Philadelphia Youth Regatta and the Dad Vail, and notes some of the historic rowing clubs hold learning programs for every experience level.
“The light reflected on the Schuylkill River from Boathouse Row is there as we celebrate big moments as a city,” says Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Orlando Rendon, in the news release.
Lights can be booked for special events and requests, and anyone can become a Boathouse Row Lighting Partner to highlight a special cause. The public can follow @boathouserowlights on Instagram for updates on new and unique lightings. Lights are on from sunset to sunrise.
Celebrating Local Artists and Makers in Philadelphia
Affordable handmade goods featuring local Philadelphia artists and makers are now available at the Art Star gift shop at the Independence Visitor Center.
Located in Independence National Historical Park, the center is the official visitor center for the Philadelphia region, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The partnership between The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation and Art Star, a Philadelphia-based bazaar, is an effort to bring more local crafters to the forefront in Philadelphia.
“Art Star, founded in 2004 by Megan Brewster and Erin Waxman, represents working studio artists and crafters from the Philadelphia area and beyond,” according to a news release. “Our goal is to support and maintain a thriving arts community by connecting our customers with goods made by local, independent artists and crafters.”
Families shopping for gifts can access the gift shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Father-Daughter Weekends
Fathers and daughters have a special bond. This April, two Bible-based camps are offering father-daughter retreats where dads and their mini-mes can make memories.
Joy El Camps & Retreats, in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, is hosting a faith-based weekend getaway (April 12-14) for fathers and daughters in first through twelfth grades.(joyelcamps.org)
Cedarbrook Camp Mid Atlantic’s retreat will welcome fathers and daughters ages 6 to 12 to its Tel Hai Camp & Retreat in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania (April 19-21). (By press time, registration will have closed March 29.) cedarbrookmidatlantic.org
