The region’s trail network, or the Circuit, is one step closer to being even more connected and accessible. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Wednesday announced $4 million in grants for 13 trail design and construction projects throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
The region’s trail network, or the Circuit, is one step closer to being even more connected and accessible. The grants were made possible by the William Penn Foundation.
This is the third grant round in DVRPC’s Regional Trails Program, which aims to create a connected network of multi-use trails in the Greater Philadelphia region. To date, $9.3 million has been awarded to plan, design, and build multi-use trails through this program.
A list of 13 projects selected for funding is available online.
Multi-use trails are an important, expanding, and integral component of our region’s transportation system.
A comprehensive network of connected trails will increase transportation choices and encourage people to get out of their cars by providing safe routes for trips on foot or bicycle within neighborhoods and between communities, and by providing links to jobs and transit for workers. By doing so, trails can reduce congestion, lower air pollution, and allow people to use their bodies for transportation, improving health and wellness in the process.
A connected network of multi-use trails will also increase non-motorized access for families and individuals to parks, natural resources, and recreation areas throughout the region.
DVRPC and the William Penn Foundation are committed to the continued development of Greater Philadelphia’s multi-use trail network, known as “The Circuit.” The Regional Trails Program seeks to leverage current and future investment in the network by prioritizing projects that aim to fill gaps and missing links, connect more communities to the trail system, and make the network accessible to all residents of the Delaware Valley.
“Many of our existing trails, including the Cooper River Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail are situated along our major rivers and connect Camden and Philadelphia with the suburban counties,” said DVRPC Executive Director Barry Seymour. “This next round of funding will help the trail network reach its full potential by connecting trails to one another and filling in the gaps.”
Speaking at the event were Barry Seymour, Executive Director, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission; The Honorable Louis Cappelli, Jr., Freeholder Director, Camden County and DVRPC Board Member; Tim Pulte, Chief Operating Officer, Delaware River Port Authority; The Honorable Dana Redd, Mayor, City of Camden; and Helen Davis Picher, Interim President, William Penn Foundation.
Click Here to see a map of selected projects.