Engagements are such a lovely occasion for a young couple. It signals the beginning of a committed relationship between two people and a tangible action that will eventually lead towards the final step of marriage. And within Philadelphia there are so many wonderful backdrops to capture such a special event, and Race Street Pier is no exception as you can see in the following collection of photographs as part of the Race Street Pier Engagement Shoot – Melissa and Gary. Award-winning photographer John Ryan of J&J Studios of Philadelphia has once again proven his talents with some of the lovely shots below.

Yet another of Philadelphia’s amazing outdoor spaces, Race Street Pier on the Delaware River Waterfront is a relaxing respite in the heart of the city.Race Street Pier is a perfect picnic spot with a spacious lawn featuring multiple types of grasses and perennials along with more than three-dozen trees cultivated in New Jersey for the World Trade Center Memorial at Ground Zero in New York City.

At high tide, the river comes just 4.5 feet from the lower level of the pier, bringing you right up to the water’s edge. The pier is the first part of a multi-phase revitalization of the Central Delaware Waterfront. Located in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Race Street Pier features two levels available for riverside recreation. The upper terrace, dubbed the grand sky promenade, rises 12-feet-high towards the bridge and is paved with Trex, a sustainable, synthetic decking material made out of reclaimed plastic and wood. The promenade is connected to the lower terrace by a multi-tiered seating area, perfect for watching the tide roll in. Race Street Pier is not just a daytime destination, as the pier features an extensive lighting setup, including fully lighted rails and over 200 LED Solar Light Blocks embedded into the paving. Race Street Pier, located along the river at the intersection of Race Street and Columbus Boulevard opened in 2011 as the first park to be completed by DRWC. The design of Race Street Pier is a nod towards its original function as a bi-level shipping pier built-in 1896. A sun-filled lower terrace supports a multi-purpose lawn, planting beds, and seating. The two levels are linked by amphitheater-style seating that wraps around the end of the pier and amplifies the sense of magic associated with being on the edge. The Pier allows for rare views of the River, Bridge, and Center City skyline all at once and is open year-round, seven days a week from 7am -11pm.