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Kelly Drive - Revision history
2026-06-06T07:23:10Z
Revision history for this page on the wiki
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Gritty: Humanization pass: prose rewrite for readability
2026-04-23T21:10:31Z
<p>Humanization pass: prose rewrite for readability</p>
<a href="https://philadelphia.wiki/index.php?title=Kelly_Drive&diff=5104&oldid=2422">Show changes</a>
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Gritty: Add biography.wiki cross-reference links
2026-03-25T15:30:56Z
<p>Add biography.wiki cross-reference links</p>
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<td colspan="2" style="background-color: #fff; color: #202122; text-align: center;">Revision as of 15:30, 25 March 2026</td>
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<tr><td class="diff-marker"></td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>* Philadelphia businessman and political figure</div></td><td class="diff-marker"></td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>* Philadelphia businessman and political figure</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="diff-marker" data-marker="−"></td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>* Father of Grace Kelly (Princess of Monaco)</div></td><td class="diff-marker" data-marker="+"></td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>* Father of <ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">[https://biography.wiki/g/Grace_Kelly </ins>Grace Kelly<ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">] </ins>(Princess of Monaco)</div></td></tr>
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Gritty: Automated upload via Philadelphia.Wiki content pipeline
2025-12-30T18:22:30Z
<p>Automated upload via Philadelphia.Wiki content pipeline</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox Park<br />
| name = Kelly Drive<br />
| image =<br />
| image_caption = Kelly Drive along the Schuylkill River with Boathouse Row<br />
| type = Scenic drive / Multi-use trail<br />
| location = East Fairmount Park (Schuylkill River)<br />
| coordinates = 39.9750,-75.1850<br />
| area = Linear (approximately 4 miles)<br />
| established = 1860 (as East River Drive); renamed 1985<br />
| operated_by = Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Fairmount Park<br />
| features = Scenic roadway, multi-use trail, river views, Boathouse Row<br />
| hours = Drive always open; trail dawn to dusk<br />
| transit = SEPTA bus 32; drive or bike recommended<br />
| website = https://myphillypark.org<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Kelly Drive''' is a scenic roadway and multi-use recreational trail running approximately 4 miles along the east bank of the [[Schuylkill River]] through [[Fairmount Park|East Fairmount Park]]. Named for Olympic rower and Philadelphia icon John B. Kelly Sr., the drive passes [[Boathouse Row]], multiple historic mansions, and offers one of the most beautiful stretches of urban parkland in America.<ref name="kelly">{{cite web |url=https://myphillypark.org |title=Kelly Drive |publisher=Fairmount Park Conservancy |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref><br />
<br />
Kelly Drive is Philadelphia's premier recreational corridor, used by runners, cyclists, rowers, and drivers enjoying the scenery.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== East River Drive ===<br />
<br />
Originally called '''East River Drive''':<br />
* Built in the mid-1800s<br />
* Part of Fairmount Park's scenic roadway system<br />
* Complemented West River Drive (now MLK Drive) across river<br />
* Carriage route became automobile road<br />
<br />
=== Renaming ===<br />
<br />
Renamed '''Kelly Drive''' in '''1985''' to honor:<br />
* '''John B. Kelly Sr.''' (1889-1960)<br />
* Olympic gold medalist rower (1920, 1924)<br />
* Philadelphia businessman and political figure<br />
* Father of Grace Kelly (Princess of Monaco)<br />
* Legendary Schuylkill River rowing champion<br />
<br />
=== The Kelly Family ===<br />
<br />
The Kelly family's rowing legacy:<br />
* John B. Kelly Sr. — Olympic champion<br />
* John B. Kelly Jr. ("Kell") — Olympic rower, city councilman<br />
* Family synonymous with Philadelphia rowing<br />
* Statue of John B. Kelly Sr. on the drive<br />
<br />
== Features ==<br />
<br />
=== The Scenic Drive ===<br />
<br />
'''Roadway characteristics:'''<br />
* Curving road along riverbank<br />
* Tree-lined throughout<br />
* Views of Schuylkill River and opposite bank<br />
* Historic boathouses visible<br />
* Speed limit encourages scenic enjoyment<br />
<br />
=== Multi-Use Trail ===<br />
<br />
'''Recreational path:'''<br />
* Paved trail parallels roadway<br />
* Part of Schuylkill River Trail<br />
* Running, cycling, walking, rollerblading<br />
* Connects to regional trail network<br />
* One of Philadelphia's most popular exercise routes<br />
<br />
=== Boathouse Row ===<br />
<br />
'''[[Boathouse Row]]''' lines the drive:<br />
* 15 historic rowing boathouses<br />
* Iconic illumination at night<br />
* Heart of Philadelphia rowing<br />
* National Historic Landmark<br />
<br />
=== River Views ===<br />
<br />
* Schuylkill River throughout<br />
* Rowers on the water<br />
* West Fairmount Park across river<br />
* Seasonal foliage<br />
<br />
=== Public Art ===<br />
<br />
Notable '''sculptures''' along the drive:<br />
* John B. Kelly Sr. statue<br />
* Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial sculptures<br />
* Various works along the route<br />
<br />
== Recreation ==<br />
<br />
=== Running ===<br />
<br />
'''Premier running route:'''<br />
* Flat, paved trail<br />
* Mile markers<br />
* Beautiful scenery<br />
* Popular for training<br />
* Major race routes<br />
<br />
=== Cycling ===<br />
<br />
* Part of regional bike network<br />
* Commuter route<br />
* Recreational riding<br />
* Connects to Manayunk and beyond<br />
<br />
=== Rowing ===<br />
<br />
* Access to Boathouse Row clubs<br />
* Spectating from shore<br />
* Major regatta viewing<br />
<br />
=== Driving ===<br />
<br />
* Scenic Sunday drives<br />
* Tourist route<br />
* Rush hour traffic can be heavy<br />
<br />
== Visiting ==<br />
<br />
=== Access Points ===<br />
<br />
'''Multiple entry points:'''<br />
* Philadelphia Museum of Art (southern end)<br />
* Boathouse Row<br />
* East Falls (northern end)<br />
* Various parking areas along route<br />
<br />
=== Getting There ===<br />
<br />
'''By Public Transit:'''<br />
* SEPTA Bus 32 runs along Kelly Drive<br />
* Walk from Art Museum<br />
<br />
'''By Car:'''<br />
* Drive enters from Art Museum area<br />
* Limited parking pulloffs<br />
* Ends at East Falls<br />
<br />
'''By Bicycle:'''<br />
* Access from Schuylkill River Trail<br />
* Schuylkill Banks connection<br />
<br />
=== Tips ===<br />
<br />
* Early morning is best for running (less crowded)<br />
* Watch for cyclists on the trail<br />
* Sunset views are spectacular<br />
* Night views of Boathouse Row illumination<br />
* Weekend mornings see many runners<br />
<br />
== Events ==<br />
<br />
* '''Philadelphia Marathon''' route<br />
* '''Dad Vail Regatta''' viewing<br />
* Various running races<br />
* Cycling events<br />
* Rowing regattas<br />
<br />
== Nearby ==<br />
<br />
* '''[[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]''' — Southern terminus<br />
* '''[[Boathouse Row]]''' — Along the drive<br />
* '''[[Fairmount Water Works]]''' — Southern end<br />
* '''[[Lemon Hill]]''' — Above the drive<br />
* '''[[Strawberry Mansion]]''' — Northern section<br />
* '''[[East Falls]]''' — Northern terminus<br />
<br />
== See Also ==<br />
<br />
* [[Boathouse Row]]<br />
* [[Schuylkill River Trail]]<br />
* [[Fairmount Park]]<br />
* [[Martin Luther King Jr. Drive]]<br />
* [[Schuylkill River]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
* [https://myphillypark.org Fairmount Park Conservancy]<br />
* [https://schuylkillbanks.org Schuylkill River Development Corporation]<br />
<br />
{{#seo:<br />
|title=Kelly Drive Philadelphia - Scenic River Road & Trail Along Boathouse Row<br />
|description=Guide to Kelly Drive, Philadelphia's scenic roadway and trail along the Schuylkill River. Boathouse Row views, running trail, cycling route, and East Fairmount Park.<br />
|keywords=Kelly Drive Philadelphia, Schuylkill River Trail, Boathouse Row, Philadelphia running trails, East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia cycling, John B. Kelly<br />
|type=Article<br />
}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Parks]]<br />
[[Category:Fairmount Park]]<br />
[[Category:Schuylkill River]]<br />
[[Category:Trails]]<br />
[[Category:Recreation]]</div>
Gritty