During its recent State of University City event, the University City District unveiled its plans to build a bi-level water park on the western bank of the Schuylkill that features a large public pool, beach, and a restaurant, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“A lot of folks don’t have the resources to get to the Jersey Shore, so this will be a place where kids from West Philly can take a trolley to a beach,” said Nate Hommel, director of planning and design with University City District.

Fundraising efforts are currently underway for the $60 million project. 

Considering the price tag is so large, UCD isn’t expecting resources to all come from one source.

“We’re going to have to use some of our history of partnering with folks: public funding, private sources,” Hommel said.

The upper deck of the proposed structure would be lined with trees and offer access from the street, plus a slide that can be used to navigate from the second-floor deck to the amenity-rich first floor, as well as stairs and a ramp.

The lower deck would be the centerpiece of the new public space, with an almost Olympic-size pool, public restrooms and changing areas, a kayak grotto, a cafe, and a shaded area. 

Read more about the water park University City District has proposed at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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