PHILADELPHIA, PA — Pennsylvania has awarded $3.3 million for six trail construction, rehabilitation and planning projects across Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties, directing state funding toward expanding and maintaining the Circuit Trails regional transportation and recreation network.
The grants, distributed through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), include $1.3 million for two projects in Chester County.
Uwchlan Township will receive $800,000 to construct a section of the Uwchlan Trail between Newcomen Road and North Ship Road, while Chester County will receive $500,000 for construction of the Chester Valley Trail in Atglen Borough and West Sadsbury Township.
The awards represent the largest single round of DCNR funding for Circuit Trails projects since 2017, according to the Circuit Trails Coalition. The funding is part of $81 million in statewide recreation and conservation grants announced in early October by Gov. Josh Shapiro and DCNR.
The six projects receiving funding are:
- Uwchlan Trail, Chester County: $800,000 to Uwchlan Township for construction between Newcomen Road and North Ship Road.
- Chester Valley Trail, Chester County: $500,000 to Chester County for construction in Atglen Borough and West Sadsbury Township.
- Radnor Trail, Delaware County: $500,000 to Radnor Township for construction between Enck Park and Interstate 476.
- Pennypack Trail, Philadelphia County: $500,000 to Philadelphia for construction near Pine Road.
- Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia County: $500,000 to Philadelphia for rehabilitation design between North 25th Street and the East Falls Bridge.
- Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia County: $500,000 to Philadelphia for rehabilitation planning along Schuylkill Banks.
The projects account for approximately 30% of the $10.7 million in C2P2 funding awarded to 34 trail development projects statewide.
The allocations distinguish between construction projects that will extend the network and planning investments intended to support future rehabilitation of existing trail infrastructure.
The latest state awards follow a substantially larger transportation funding commitment secured in July, when the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission programmed $322 million for Circuit Trails projects through the federal fiscal year 2027 Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program.
According to the coalition, that allocation represented the largest amount programmed for trail projects in the transportation improvement program’s history.
Together, the funding commitments support the coalition’s effort to develop a connected network of trails serving communities throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
“The Circuit Trails are both essential infrastructure and recreational assets,” said Justin Dennis, chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition and New Jersey program director at Trust for Public Land. “They connect neighborhoods to destinations, bring people together, and provide access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces.”
The coalition also received additional funding for community programming associated with the trail network.
DCNR awarded $60,000 to the Circuit Trails Community Grant Program, which supports community organizations providing outdoor activities and programming for residents along the trails.
Established in late 2022 and managed by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the program has invested more than $575,000 in 27 organizations with support from the William Penn Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
With the additional state funding, total investment through the community grant initiative is expected to reach $695,000 by the end of 2027.
The broader Circuit Trails network currently encompasses more than 500 miles of completed and in-progress multiuse trails across nine counties in Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.
The coalition’s long-term plan calls for a network exceeding 860 miles, connecting municipalities and providing routes for walking, bicycling and other nonmotorized travel.
The newly funded Chester County projects will contribute to that expansion, while the Philadelphia rehabilitation planning awards address the continued maintenance of established trail corridors.
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