About:
When the Schuylkill River Park was finally created out of an industrial waterfront wasteland after three protracted years of organization by the community, no one imagined that the fight was just beginning. But during this round, the fight wasn’t waged in front of local politicians; instead, the new foe was nothing less than a well-funded international corporation determined not to lose. This fight became a classic tale of David vs. Goliath, with passionate members of the community assuming the part of David and CSX Railroad heaving its considerable muscle as Goliath – a Goliath who wanted to park its serpentine trains full of hazardous material, garbage and cargo in front of the access points to the park. Using modern and unique mechanisms for community organizing, these Davids got their way, and set a national precedent for ground-level success in the meantime. Co-directed and executive produced by Rob Stuart -- president of Evolve Strategies and a frequent park user who was intimately involved in this multi-year struggle -- and Tara Nurin -- former CN8 reporter and producer for Tigre Hill’s “The Barrel of a Gun” – this story hits the major chronological and practical points that formed the basis for the community’s success. Interviews include popular Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter, Councilmen Jack Kelly and Darrell Clarke, state legislator Babette Josephs and a multitude of regular citizens who formed the creative coalitions that earned themselves the triumph they deserved. Bill Goetz, the community representative for CSX who negotiated the compromise, provides helpful insight on what other activists can learn from the people who worked relentlessly to get CSX to do what it didn’t want to do. Now, CSX is continuing to work with the City of Philadelphia and the Schuylkill River Park Alliance to be a better neighbor. The aim for this film is to inspire other activists and give them practical ideas for taking on their own “CSX’s.” With an array of DVD extras, “Free the River Park” can be used as a template for turning seemingly hopeless adversarial relationships into positive collaborations … for the betterment of all.
