The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has awarded funding for four trail projects in Montgomery County through its Regional Trails Program. The program provides planning assistance and funding to trail developers, counties, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations for completion of the Circuit—a 750-mile network of multiuse trails in the Greater Philadelphia area.
“These projects are an important part of our vision for sustainable, connected, vibrant communities throughout Montgomery County,” said Val Arkoosh, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “These regional grants show that we share that vision and can collaborate with our neighboring counties to create a robust circuit trail system.”
The four trail projects receiving funding in Montgomery County are:
Schuylkill River Trail and Chester Valley Trail – Norristown Trail Junction Center (design)
The Norristown Trail Junction Center was awarded $100,000. This project involves the redevelopment of a vacant building located along the Schuylkill River Trail at the future intersection with the Chester Valley Trail. When complete, the center will provide important amenities for trail users including restrooms, bike repair equipment, and refreshments. Additionally, it will provide space for community events, outdoor seating, and an outdoor amphitheater.
Wissahickon Trail – Northwestern Avenue (study)
Montgomery County received $25,000 for a study that will examine potential trail connections between the North West terminus of Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park and an existing portion of the Wissahickon Trail located near Morris Arboretum. This 0.5-mile gap is the last remaining section of the Wissahickon Trail that is not designed or constructed. When complete, the Wissahickon Trail will run from the Schuylkill River Trail in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia to Fort Washington State Park in Whitemarsh Township.
North Gulph Road Connector (study), Valley Forge Park Alliance – $60,000
DVRPC awarded $60,000 for a study that will focus on the feasibility of a 2.55-mile trail linking the Chester Valley Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail through Upper Merion Township. This connector trail will run primarily north-south along North Gulph Road and will leverage several different ongoing or planned construction efforts within the area, including projects associated with the Schuylkill River Crossing Complex and the private development of the mixed-use Village at Valley Forge.
Parkside Cynwyd Trail (design), City of Philadelphia – $50,000
DVRPC awarded $50,000 for the design of an approximately 2.0-mile extension of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail from its current terminus at Cynwyd Station in Lower Merion Township to the intersection of 53rd Street and Parkside Avenue in the Parkside neighborhood of Philadelphia. This project is being led by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation with input from Lower Merion Township and Montgomery County.
For more information, contact Henry Stroud, AICP, Trail Program Manager, at 610-278-3746 or via email at hstroud@montcopa.org.
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