Authored By: The Circuit Trails | April 7, 2025

With blooming flowers, lush trees, a glistening waterfront, people in action highlighted by a vibrant blue-sky day, a spring day on the trail is like a work of art. In addition to these picture-perfect scenes, did you know that you can find other forms of art along the trails?  

It’s true! The Circuit Trails network, which spans 415 miles of multi-use trails in the Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region, is home to physical works of art waiting for you to uncover.  

We’ve curated a list of four trails that include murals, sculptures, mosaics, and even lead you to museums for your next artistic outing #OnTheCircuit. 

Schuylkill River Trail

Photo by Alec Rogers © 2019 for the Association for Public Art

The Schuylkill River Trail is a hotspot for public art and cultural landmarks! With more than 82 miles of completed trail, there are plenty of places to explore. Along the trail, you’ll find a bunch of exciting murals and statues.  

Take a stroll or ride on the Kelly Drive segment in Philadelphia to see some historical statues, including “Joan of Arc” by Emmanuel Frémiet and “Stone Age in America” by John J. Boyle. 

The Schuylkill River Trail also leads directly to one of the largest art museums in the country, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Make sure to do your best Rocky Balboa impression and take a picture with the Rocky statue located right in front of the museum.  

Manayunk Towpath

Photo courtesy of Manayunk Development Corporation

Although the Manayunk Towpath is technically part of the Schuylkill River Trail, it features so many pieces of art that we had to spotlight this segment on its own. Along the approximately two miles of mixed boardwalk and compacted gravel trail, you’ll encounter vivid murals by artists who illustrate and draw inspiration from Manayunk’s rich history.  

Take a look at the new freehanded mural by Isabella Akhtarshenas on the back of Benny Peretti’s Pizza, on your next adventure. If you’re traveling from Green Lane to just north of Fountain Street, there are three distinct projects from Mural Arts for you to see: Waters of Change, Coinciding Currents and Water Under the Bridge.  

Tacony Creek Trail

Photo by Streets Dept Lead Contributor Eric Dale

Flock over to see four vibrant bird murals in Tacony Creek Park! Our friends at TTF Watershed  partnered with Evan Lovett and Frank Chappell from Vurt Creative to craft these stunning sights. Follow the path to view murals of a great blue heron, belted kingfisher, white-breasted nuthatch and peregrine falcon.  

Puerto Rican artist Jay Correano often creates murals on walls, surfaces and even trashcan lids along the trail, so there’s always something to draw your attention. With the electric colors from the murals and the surprise paintings from Correano, your eyes will be observing every area of the path.  

Cooper River Trail

Photo courtesy of Upstream Alliance

The Cooper River Trail is filled with plenty of natural beauty, and it’s also home to a magnificent sculpture garden and many memorial sites. Coming in the fall of 2025, trail users and kayakers will be guided by paintings of birds, insects and fish that swim in the Cooper River. Chosen by Upstream Alliance to depict wildlife among the area, artist Adriana Amador-Chacon will create 17 signs for the water trail. With all the activities you can enjoy within the Cooper River Park loop, including kayaking, touring a historic house and spotting wildlife, be sure to pack a picnic for a fun-filled day #OnTheCircuit. 

Did something catch your eye? Let us know by sharing a picture on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok using the hashtag #OnTheCircuit.  

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