Direction to Schuylkill River

Click here for map

·          Take Ben Franklin Bridge follow signs for Rt. 76 West, via Rt. 676 (Vine Street Expressway).

·          Proceed to the traffic light, and get in the 3^rd or 4^th lane from the left median.  This will put you onto the Vine Street Expressway (There are big green signs, marking it).

·          Merge onto the Vine Street Expressway, and follow for approx. 1mile. 

·          Look for signs for Ben Franklin Parkway (or the Art Museum) exit, it will be on the right hand side after the Broad Street exit. 

·          Turn RIGHT at the top of the hill/exit…This is 22^nd street.

·          Take 22^nd street to the 1^st light.  Get into the LEFT HAND LANES.

·          Make a LEFT at the light onto the Ben Franklin Parkway.  (You will see the Art Museum directly in front of you.)

·          Stay in the RIGHT HAND LANE, as you will want to merger to the right as you get closer to the Art Museum circle. 

·          Stay to the RIGHT SIDE of the Art Museum, and follow the signs for Kelly Drive.  

·          Once past the Art Museum, you will come to a traffic light.  On the LEFT SIDE is the beginning of Boathouse Row. 

·          Continue up (WEST) Kelly Drive approx. 1 mile…On Regatta Days Kelly Drive will be shut down for West bound Traffic at the Angels, and the Police will direct you to the right into Fairmount Park.   (The Angels statue will be on your left.)

·          IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PARKING PASS…this is the road that will take you to the closet parking areas refer to the map below for the exact places for parking.  (There is also a Bus that will shuttle you to and from your car for a fee.)

·          IF YOU HAVE A PARKING PASS…Follow the flow of traffic and the Regatta Traffic Signs through the park and eventually you will be dumped back down on Kelly Drive.  (The dotted line on the below map marks the correct direction)

·          This will put you at the top of the River, right near the starting line.  The Races flow down river (East bound towards the City)

·          You need to turn around and head east bound on the drive.  (Proceed up to the 3^rd Traffic Light, and make a right…you can Turn around in the A-Plus gas station lot)

·          As you come down the drive you will come to a Police Barricade…Make sure your sticker is in the left hand side of you windshield for the officer to see.

·          Once you pass the Police Barricade, the parking starts immediately on the right hand curb…Angle Park facing the curb.  (You will go under the the Strawberry Mansion Bridge.)

·          The 1^st building on the right is the Canoe Club and the 2^nd (Newer) Building is St. Joe’s Boathouse.  In the parking lot between the 2 buildings is where you will most likely find CCHS Boat Trailer.  (This spot is about 500 meters into the 1500 meter race course)  THIS LOT IS TRAILER PARKING ONLY.

·          Continue down the drive until you come to another Parking lot.  This is called the Finish Line Parking Lot.  (Approx. 1000-1200 meters into the 1500 meter race course)

·          The CCHS Tent will usually be down in this area between the parking lot and the finish line Grand Stands.   (Unless there is no room, in which case it might be on the up river side of the finish line parking lot.)

 Parking for most of the Regatta’s will be VERY tight.  In the past few years, the traffic has become unbelievable.  So if you can car pool with some one I would highly advise it.  If not try and get there as early as you can for your son/daughter’s race.   The Police have been known to turn cars back up through Fairmount Park at the top of the river even if you have a parking pass.  This is due to congestion.  If this happens make sure that you park in an area where there are other cars, and put all items out of sight within your car.  Vandals are known to prey on cars in the Park, and even along Boathouse row!