The Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region is filled with wonderful places, spaces, and experiences off the beaten path. From unique spots to eat and shop to public art installations and multi-use trails that weave through urban, suburban, and rural areas, there’s adventure to uncover around the region.

Tucked behind a couple of warehouses, the wrought iron fence of the Frankford Arsenal and I-95 construction is a hidden gem, recently identified by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a prime spot for fishing: the Frankford Boat Launch.

The Frankford Boat Launch is a 10-acre riverfront park along the Delaware River that serves as one of three public boat launches in Philadelphia, a peaceful spot to take in river and bridge views, and the trailhead for the K&T Trail, a 1.75-mile segment of the region’s more than 411-mile Circuit Trails network. 

On Saturday, June 1, community members are invited to explore the Frankford Boat Launch and K&T Trail at the third annual Fish Fest hosted by Riverfront North Partnership and TTF Watershed. From 3-6 PM, people can participate in free, family-fun activities focused on all things fishing and nature.

“There are so many people who live in the neighborhood and have no idea that the Frankford Boat Launch exists, let alone is something that is open to the public for use,” said Gina Craigo, community engagement manager at Riverfront North Partnership. “We want to welcome people to the riverfront and provide opportunities that connect people with and expand access to trails, parks, and safe public spaces to recreate, relax, and even commute, and Fish Fest was created as a way to do that.”

The community celebration will include fishing lessons for all ages and levels of experience with help from Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers and Outdoor Partners, a Circuit Trails Coalition Community Grantee. The Circuit Trails Community Grant Program aims to improve access to and increase use of the Circuit Trails, particularly in historically disinvested communities and among marginalized groups, by investing in community-based organizations in the Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region that provide programming on or along the Circuit Trails. Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers and Outdoor Partners’ trainers facilitate fishing, birding, wildlife, and conservation training activities for youth and their supporting adults across the Philadelphia region.

“We’ve been a partner with Riverfront North for several years leading their fishing activities, and Fish Fest is a great event to introduce more youth, adults, and families to the opportunities of the Delaware River and to see the increasing health of the waterway,” said Todd Pride, founder and lead coach of the Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers and Outdoors Partners.

At Fish Fest, Pride and his team will provide fishing equipment for the kids and adults to use, coordinate activities, and teach and train community members on how to use the equipment. In addition to learning how to fish, participants will learn how to read the water for areas where fish may be and the conservation aspects of the river and tributaries.

This year, Fish Fest falls on National Trails Day, and to celebrate, Independence Youth Cycling will host “skills and drills” plus group bike rides along the K&T Trail. All equipment for the ride will be provided, but those interested are welcome to bring their own. Additional activities throughout the afternoon include arts and crafts with the Tacony LAB, nature activities with TTF, and a native plant sale from the Land Health Institute.

Riverfront North Partnership and TTF Watershed Partnership are members of the Circuit Trails Coalition, a collaboration of nonprofit organizations, foundations, and agencies working to advance completion of the Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region’s Circuit Trails network. The network currently encompasses more than 411 miles of completed trails and is working to complete 500 miles by 2025. To support this short-term goal, you can send a letter to your county commissioners urging them to continue prioritizing the development and maintenance of the Circuit Trails network.

Explore more events happening on the Circuit Trails.