One of the most famous landmarks in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia is the historic Manayunk Bridge which served as connector between the Manayunk neighborhood and Bala Cynwyd on the alternate bank of the Schuylkill River. The bridge officially began its service in 1918 as part of the Schuylkill Valley Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and was purchased by SEPTA in 1976. As time wore on, the bridge fell into disrepair and was permanently closed in 1986. After multiple attempts to stabilize and refurbish the bridge were denied by SEPTA, the bridge remained inoperable until 2008 when the construction of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail Began.
As construction of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail progressed, attention turned once again to the Manayunk Bridge. In order to link the Schyulkill River Trail with other rail-trails and Circuit Trails it was clear that the bridge must be reopened. Construction began in the summer of 2014, and by October 2015, the bridge was reopened to cyclists, skaters and pedestrians and ties both banks of the Schuylkill River together once again.
Following the Manayunk Bridge Trail across the Schuylkill River, trail goers will find themselves at the foot of The Cynwyd Heritage Trail. The Cynwyd Heritage Trail begins at SEPTA’s Cynwyd train station and heads northeast for two miles past Bala Cynwyd Park and West Laurel Hill Cemetary where it eventually intersects the Manayunk Bridge Trail. The main pathway of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail follows the same abandoned rail line as the Manayunk Bridge Trail and travels past many historic landmarks including Clegg’s Cotton Mill, two train stations, and cemeteries.
Both the Manayunk Bridge and Cynwyd Heritage Trails provide clearly marked and well maintained pathways for everyone to enjoy. There are multiple bike racks, seating areas (including Adirondack chairs and benches), and parking areas which area easily accessible. The main trail contains both a paved section and a gravel portion which can be used for different activities, as well as ample green space including many new tree and shrub plantings along the way.
See more photos of the Manayunk Bridge and Cynwyd Heritage Trail here: Facebook Album
Works Cited:
http://www.circuittrails.org/find-trails/cynwyd-heritage-trail
http://www.cynwydtrail.org/interpretive/
http://www.circuittrails.org/find-trails/manayunk-bridge-trail
Collin Wood 
I am not from the Philadelphia area at all and I know very little about it. Reading your blog post informed me on what I feel is very important in the city. The pictures you added were also very informational and also aesthetically pleasing. You did a very nice job selecting shots that told a story and added to the content you wrote. You used lines really well in your photos, especially the photo of the curvy road. It literally guides the eye through the entire frame. One thing that I would improve on is the focus. some of the shots are a little out of focus. But it was a pleasure reading your post and viewing your photos.
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