Burlington County is taking additional steps to expand its regional trails network.
The County was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to assist the County with planning for another extension of the Delaware River Heritage Trail. The study will examine possible routes for a 13-mile segment from Roebling Park through Florence, Burlington Township, Burlington City, Edgewater Park, Beverly and Delanco.
In addition to that grant award, DVRPC also awarded a separate $125,000 grant to Burlington and Camden counties for a feasibility study of a new trail through Palmyra and Pennsauken, Camden County. This trail would also eventually become a part of the Delaware River Heritage Trail and link Burlington County’s regional trails network with Camden County’s.
The DVRPC, which is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for Burlington County and eight others in the Greater Philadelphia region, also awarded a $90,000 grant to Beverly City for planning related to a proposed transit village around the town’s River Line station, and a $75,000 grant to Evesham to study mobility improvements in downtown Marlton.
In total, $600,000 in grants were awarded to New Jersey projects in the DVRPC territory as part of the Transportation and Community Development Initiative, also known as TCDI.
“Burlington County has invested in our parks, trails and outdoor spaces because we know how important they are to the quality of life residents enjoy here,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. “These grants will support our continuing efforts to expand our trail network and enhance mobility and outdoor recreation across Burlington County. We’re grateful for DVRPC’s support and look forward to seeing the end results from these investments.”
Extending the Delaware River Heritage Trail
The Delaware River Heritage Trail currently travels just over 8 miles from Bordentown south to Roebling Park in Florence and is envisioned to eventually loop around both sides of the Delaware River.
The proposed new segment from Florence to Delanco would become the largest segment of the Delaware River Heritage Trail and is expected to provide links to Florence’s 5th Street Trail, Burlington City’s Riverfront Promenade and Edgewater Park’s Park Link Tail between Wood Lane Park and Memorial Field. The segment is expected to end at the Delanco River Line station, where it will connect with the County’s Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail between Amico Island Park in Delran and Pennington Park in Delanco.
Most of the new trail is expected to be 10-feet wide, asphalt paths designed for walkers, runners, cyclists and wheelchairs.
“Burlington County’s trail network already includes more than 50 miles of regional and interior park trails and this grant will help us move forward with another expansion,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “These trails not only provide opportunities for healthy, outdoor recreation, they also offer residents safe routes of travel around our county and important links to our community parks, downtowns and historic sites.”
Linking trail networks
The Palmyra-Pennsauken Trail will also become part of the Delaware River Heritage Trail and will provide an important link between Burlington County’s network of regional trails and Camden County’s. The proposed trail is envisioned to provide links to the Route 73 and Pennsauken Transit River Line stations, along with potential connections to Palmyra Cove Nature Park in Palmyra and Petty’s Island Preserve in Pennsauken. It is also intended to provide a safe crossing over Route 73 and the Pennsauken Creek.
The grants awarded to Evesham and Beverly will support both municipalities’ efforts to improve their downtowns.
“Good planning is essential for economic development and helps our communities to grow and remain vibrant,” said Eckel. “Investments in trails and community planning benefit Burlington County’s economy, businesses and our residents’ health, safety and quality of life.”