This morning, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Board approved the list of seventeen projects listed in the Regional Trails Program totaling to $4.55 million to advance the development of the regional Circuit Trails network in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Regional Trails Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding for the planning, design, and construction of segments of the Circuit Trails, Greater Philadelphia’s multi-use trail network, and adjoining infrastructure, such as trailheads and neighborhood connections. Over the years, the Regional Trails Program continues to advance the goals of the region’s long-range plan, Update: Connections 2050, and its vision of a safe, modern, multimodal transportation network for all. See below for the full list of projects that were awarded funds through the Regional Trails Program:
Regional Trails Program Recommended 2026 Awards
New Jersey
Burlington County:
1. Rancocas Creek Greenway – Rowan College of Burlington County to Smithville Park &
Mount Holly to Medford Spur – $85,000 – Burlington County will assess the feasibility of
and identify an alignment for the Rancocas Creek Greenway between Rowan College
of Burlington County in Mount Laurel and Smithville Park near Mount Holly and a
connecting trail between Mount Holly and Medford. The Rancocas Creek Greenway is a
Circuit Trail.
2. Southern Regional Trails – Rowan College of Burlington County to Levin Nature Preserve
– $400,000 – Burlington County will design an off-road trail from Rowan College of
Burlington County to the Levin Nature Preserve and Hartford Elementary School at the
intersection of Hartford and Hainesport-Mount Laurel Roads in Mount Laurel
Township.
Camden County:
3. Delaware River Heritage Trail – Baldwin’s Run – $400,000 – Camden County Municipal
Utilities Authority will design a segment of the Delaware River Heritage Trail between
29th and 36th streets in the City of Camden. The Delaware River Heritage Trail is a
Circuit Trail.
Mercer County:
4. Delaware & Bound Brook Trail – $200,000 – The City of Trenton will assess the feasibility
of the Delaware & Bound Brook Trail between the Trenton Wellness Loop in
downtown Trenton and the municipal border with Ewing Township. The Trenton
Wellness Loop is a Circuit Trail.
5. Mercer County Cross County Trail – Western Connector – $400,000 – Lawrence Township
will design a bridge over the Shabakunk Creek and adjacent trail segments between
the Johnson Trolley Trail (JTT) and the Lawrence Nature Center and Drexel Woods,
serving as the westernmost part of the proposed Cross County Trail and its connection
to the JTT. The JTT is a Circuit Trail.
Pennsylvania
Bucks County:
1. East Coast Greenway – River Road Trail – $312,200 – The Pennsylvania Environmental
Council will design a segment of the East Coast Greenway along River Road between
Croydon Woods Nature Preserve and State Road in Bristol Township. The project is
funded for construction through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program.
The East Coast Greenway is a Circuit Trail.
Action Item for June 9, 2026
2. Newtown Rail Trail – Phase 3 – $400,000 – Bucks County will design a segment of the
Newtown Rail Trail in Northampton Township between the Churchville Nature Center
and the Village Shires Community. The Newtown Rail Trail is a Circuit Trail.
Chester County:
3. Chester Valley Trail Connector via Exton Park – $400,000 – West Whiteland Township will
design the Chester Valley Trail Connector through a portion of Exton Park between
Swedesford Road and the completed Chester Valley Trail. The project is funded for
construction through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program. The Chester
Valley Trail Connector is a Circuit Trail.
4. East Branch Brandywine Trail – $100,000 – East Caln Township will study the feasibility
of a segment of the East Branch Brandywine Trail between the existing trail on the
bridge carrying US322 over the Brandywine Creek and the intersection of Robbins
Road and US322/Brandywine Ave. The segment will parallel US322/Brandywine Ave.
The East Branch Brandywine Trail is a Circuit Trail.
Delaware County:
5. Chester Creek Trail Connector in Chester, PA – $400,000 – The Pennsylvania
Environmental Council will design a segment of the Chester Creek Trail between Eyre
Park and the planned East Coast Greenway alignment in the City of Chester. The
Chester Creek Trail and East Coast Greenway are Circuit Trails.
6. Octoraro Trail – Creek Road Bridge and Trail – $200,000 – The Brandywine Conservancy
& Museum of Art will assess the feasibility and initiate design of a segment of the
Octoraro Trail, including a bridge over Creek Road and an adjacent trail on
Conservancy property. The Octoraro Trail is a Circuit Trail.
Montgomery County:
7. Cross County Trail – Dreshertown Road Segment – $400,000 – Upper Dublin Township
Municipal Authority will construct a segment of the Cross County Trail between
Susquehanna Road and Bantry Drive in Upper Dublin Township. The Cross County
Trail is a Circuit Trail.
8. Schuylkill River Trail – Haws Avenue and Chain Street Trailhead Improvements – $200,000
– Montgomery County will construct multi-use improvements and formalize trailheads
at Haws Avenue and Chain Street on the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. The
Schuylkill River Trail is a Circuit Trail.
Philadelphia:
9. Cobbs Creek Trail – Phase B2 – $129,913 – The City of Philadelphia will acquire right-ofway for segment B2 of the Cobbs Creek Trail in Philadelphia. This project is funded for
construction. The Cobbs Creek Trail is a Circuit Trail.
Action Item for June 9, 2026
10. Ivy Ridge Trail – $200,000 – The City of Philadelphia will design a segment of the Ivy
Ridge between the existing trail on the Manayunk Bridge and SEPTA’s Ivy Ridge
regional rail station in Philadelphia. The Ivy Ridge Trail is a Circuit Trail.
11. Schuylkill River Trail – Mule Bridge – $38,587 – The City of Philadelphia, in coordination
with Montgomery County, will assess right-of-way needs for a trail on the Mule Bridge
and adjacent canal towpath in Lower Merion Township and the City of Philadelphia.
The Schuylkill River Trail is part of the Circuit Trails.
12. Schuylkill River Trail – Wissahickon Gateway – $284,300 – The City of Philadelphia will
acquire right-of-way for the Wissahickon Gateway Trail between the existing Schuylkill
River Trail adjacent to Kelly Drive and the Pencoyd Bridge in the City of Philadelphia.
The Wissahickon Gateway is a Circuit Trail.
We consider this to be potentially record breaking. It’s proof that the trails are being treated as essential infrastructure, making it safer and easier to walk and bike in the region.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a founding member of the Circuit Trails Coalition and leads the movement to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride, and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. Join or renew to continue that advocacy and education work throughout the region. More info here.