Philly Trails Gain Much Needed State Funding

Nearly a dozen regional trail projects received state funding late last month, 3 of them are Philadelphia projects.  The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded $1.7 million in Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants to trail projects in Southeastern Pennsylvania.  All of the Philadelphia projects received funding through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

The three projects that received funding are;

Manayunk Bridge- awarded $500,000 toward developing a multi-use trail on the historic concrete bridge that spans the Schuylkill River connecting Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township, providing a link between the Cynwood Heritage Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail.  The $3.5 million project is divided by a unique arrangement between SEPTA, Lower Merion Township and the City of Philadelphia.  As owner of the bridge, SEPTA has leased the structure to Lower Merion Township, leaving the construction portion to the City of Philadelphia.  Maintenance will be divided between the City and Lower Merion.  The City has obtained $3.15 million of the estimated $3.5 million through a combination of sources.  Construction will begin in late 2013.

Poquessing Creek Trail- Received $500,000 for construction of a 1.5 mile loop connecting Junod Playground to Poquessing Creek park and the Benjamin Rush State Park.

Schuylkill River Trail- Received $500,000 toward extending the current trail 1,200 feet from South Street to Christian street.  Plans are to get the Schuylkill River Trail to Bartram's Garden, with an ultimate plan to extend the trail further to Fort Mifflin in South Philadelphia.  In recent construction, crew poured concrete for the boardwalk footings that will link Locust Street to the South Street Bridge.