New trails in the works for the Philadelphia region
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The network of trails throughout the Philadelphia region is poised to expand even further in the coming years.
Why it matters: Outdoor green spaces such as trails can boost quality of life, improve mental health, link neighborhoods and provide a carless commuting option.
State of play: The Circuit Trails Coalition, which helps maintain and manage trails in the region, says it has secured funding to build at least 91 miles of new trails, with many projects now in the works.
- When they're completed (some likely by the end of 2027), the region's Circuit Trails will stretch more than 500 miles of multi-use paths across nine counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
- Further, the coalition recently received a nearly $13 million grant from the William Penn Foundation to help fund the creation of more trails.
Flashback: The coalition, made up of dozens of nonprofits and agencies, set its 500-mile goal back in 2017.
- At the time, the Circuit Trails ran about 320 miles.
Context: The Circuit Trails' footprint includes some of the most trafficked spots in the region, including the Schuylkill River Trail, Forbidden Drive, and Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail.
Cool projects: Here are some we're keeping our eye on.
- 🌉 New swing bridge: This project over the Schuylkill River will finally connect Grays Ferry to Bartram's Garden. It's expected to wrap up in the summer of 2026, a city spokesperson tells Axios.
- Once completed, you'll be able to travel along the Schuylkill River Trail from around Bartram's Garden to the start of Manayunk uninterrupted.
- 🔗 Camden LINK Trail: Parts of this proposed 34-mile trail are now in the works. The full trail will eventually stretch from the Ben Franklin Bridge to the Winslow Wildlife Management Area in South Jersey.
- 🚶🏼 Spring Garden Street Greenway: A 2-mile trail will link the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, and complete the Center City section of the East Coast Greenway.
What they're saying: "Trails are woven into the fabric of our region, but not just for recreation — they offer ways to commute and travel, safely and for free," Alyssa Ellington, a spokesperson for the coalition, tells Axios.
What's next: The coalition's next goal is tacking on another 50 miles of new trails by 2030.