This post was written by Patrick Starr, Executive VP at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. It was originally published on PEC’s blog.
Recently, the final round of Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission grants was made – more than $2.6 million for projects ranging from feasibility studies, to engineering and design (especially hard-to-find funding), to construction. Fourteen projects were funded: ten in Pennsylvania and four in New Jersey. Demand for these funds is intense and competitive! This round there were more than 40 applications submitted.
There are a number of considerations when deciding how the funding is distributed. Reviewers consider whether the project is going to make an important connection in the growing network. Does it serve communities that have limited access? Does it recognize the history of poverty and systemic racism that have led to disparities in some neighborhoods? Does the project sponsor have the capacity to complete the project and to be successful if provided funding?
From creekside wooded riparian corridors, to rail trails, to sidepaths along connecting roadways that need to be “shoehorned” into already developed neighborhoods, the most recent round of projects funded in PA reflect the diversity of trails in our region.
Here are a few project highlights…
- An extension of the Darby Creek trail in densely populated Haverford Township would connect several local trails and provide access to the Creek — a previously hard-to-get-to natural resource.
- Improvements to West 2nd Street in the City of Chester that is one side of a recreational trail “loop” that will serve City residents and part of the East Coast Greenway. City residents will be better connected to the Delaware Riverfront, and through-cyclists will be able to choose a “scenic” riverside path or ride straight through on 2nd Street, aka the Industrial Heritage Highway (PA 291).
- Final engineering and design for a very complicated “gap filler” that will thread the Schuylkill River Trail across the Wissahickon Creek, connect to the famous Forbidden Drive, and provide safe passage at long last for those wishing to continue along the SRT to Manayunk and beyond. This is an especially critical safety connection!
- Preliminary design for the Bristol Greenway through Croydon that will thread the East Coast Greenway through industrial areas, old woods, and older residential communities that will provide safe off-road trail for both local residents and through-users.