Free the (Schuylkill) River Park Documentary to Premiere
Followed by Panel Discussion on the Power of Civic Activism

Philadelphia, July 17, 2008 – A short documentary film, "Free the River Park," which features interviews with Mayor Michael Nutter and other elected city officials, will premiere on Thursday, July 17th at the Academy of Natural Sciences as part of the Academy's 'Town Square' initiative. 

The free viewing of “Free the River Park” will be followed by a panel discussion on the campaign featuring key politicians and activists. The panel will include Councilman Darrell Clarke, State Representative Babette Josephs, Schuylkill River Park Alliance co-chair Russell Meddin, and John Randolph, founder of what is now the Schuylkill River Development Corporation. The movie will be preceded by a light reception. 

Date: Thursday, July 17, 2008
Time: 7:30 pm screening; doors open at 6:30
Location: The Academy of Natural Sciences, main auditorium; 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

The film chronicles citizens’ ultimately victorious efforts to create and preserve at-grade access to the Schuylkill River Park despite the adamant objections of CSX Railroad.  The 15-minute film explores the modern and practical strategies used against CSX – strategies that that eventually forced the international transportation company to compromise.

“This is a great citizens’ victory -- a prime example of how a community can come together to work against the odds and emerge triumphant,” said Rob Stuart, president of Evolve Strategies, which produced the film.

“We created this movie, in part, to inspire and instruct other organizations across Philadelphia and in other parts of the country on how to successfully wage efforts to improve and protect their own communities,” added director/producer Tara Nurin. 

“Free the River Park” was produced and directed by Rob Stuart, President of Evolve Strategies, who, as a leader in the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, helped coordinate the campaign, and Tara Nurin, former CN8 reporter and producer of Tigre Hill’s The Barrel of a Gun. The documentary was filmed on location from July 2007 through June 2008 and contains interviews with Mayor Michael Nutter; CSX Resident Vice President Bill Goetz; Councilmen Darrell Clarke and Jack Kelly; State Representative Babette Josephs; Schuylkill River Park Alliance co-coordinators Russell Meddin and Sarah Clark Stuart, as well as Schuylkill River Development Council founder John Randolph and park users. The documentary runs 15 minutes in length and the DVD, including extras, will be available for purchase at the event and at www.riverparkalliance.org.

More about Evolve Strategies:
Evolve Strategies is a full-service communications firm serving issue advocacy, nonprofit, and political organizations. Evolve creates compelling campaigns using expert strategies and the latest new media technology. www.evolvestrategies.net

High-resolution photos are available at www.riverparkalliance.org. Press screeners of the film will be provided at the event or by contacting Rob Stuart (contact info above).