Toast to the Circuit Trails: Celebrating 500 Miles of Connected Paths
Authored By: The Circuit Trails | December 8, 2025
If you were anywhere near Cherry Street Pier on Wednesday, Nov. 12, you probably caught the glow of the blue- and green-lit Ben Franklin Bridge shimmering across the waterfront or spotted the group of riders gearing up for a celebratory night ride. Inside the pier, more than 200 trail lovers, partners, planners, funders, volunteers, and friends celebrated something extraordinary–the Circuit Trails network officially reaching 500 miles of completed or in-progress trails across the region.
Photo courtesy of Jack Larson
That total includes more than 420 miles that are already open to the public and 91.4 miles currently in progress, backed by a renewed investment of $12.9 million from the William Penn Foundation over the next three years.
“This is a big movement to make a vision a reality,” Sarah Clarke Stuart, former chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition, said. “We’re fortunate to have a remarkable metropolitan planning organization, a committed foundation, and a region of counties and cities all working together and moving in the same direction. That unity is what will make us successful.”
The celebration brought together the many people who have helped shape and continue to enjoy this growing network. Thank you to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, William Penn Foundation, counties, municipalities, elected leaders, as well as the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Philly Running Alliance, Wednesday Night Rides, Hike & Heal, She is Focused, Healing Through the Land, Latinas in Motion and the Neighborhood Bike Works, for making the night so special.
Guests enjoyed tacos and refreshments; a photo booth; and group walks, rides, and runs before and after the celebration. Speakers who have long supported the Circuit Trails stepped into the spotlight to reflect on what it took to reach this milestone and what lies ahead.
More exciting news followed when the Circuit Trails Coalition announced that they set out to achieve a new goal: 550 miles by 2030. The next chapter focuses on opening the 91 miles already in progress and adding another 50 miles of new trail, expanding access and improving connectivity for communities across Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.
“Connecting our trail systems is essential to bringing bridgeways into every community, ensuring everyone has access. Our top priority is building paths in underserved areas across the region,” said Patrick Starr, chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition. “It’s another ambitious goal, but we’re ready to do the work to make it a reality.”
One message echoed throughout the night–trails mean something different to everyone. A peaceful walk before work. A long weekend ride. A safe commute between neighborhoods. A place to reconnect with nature, family, or community.
To capture that spirit, we’re collecting 500 Moments #OnTheCircuit over the next year–stories that share what the trails mean to you and memories made along the way. Whether you were at the celebration or cheering from home, we’d love for your moment to be part of it.
Be part of the story, share your moment.
Take a look at some of the moments we’ve received:
My dad and I set up a “Little Free Library” on the newly-built Fox Chase-Lorimer Trail. The Little Free Library is a memorial to my mom, Judy Dorfman. A Fox Chase resident and Free Library employee herself, Mom inspired me to enjoy reading and spending time outdoors. Dad and I could not think of a more fitting and full-circle way to celebrate a lover of trails and tales.
Nate Dorfman | Northeast Philadelphia
I’ll never forget the feeling of biking on the LHT [Lawrence Hopewell Trail] with hundreds of other people during the Full Moon Bike Ride. The ride is a six-mile loop and there is just something magical about riding through the park at night with the glow of lights on all the bikes and the trees, laughter, and neighbors coming together.
Claire Wille | Pennington, NJ
My first date with my husband was meeting at the Art Museum with our bikes and heading west on the Schuylkill River Trail. We are still going strong 28 years later and so is the SRT!
Val Arkoosh | Wyndmoor, PA
I lived in Manayunk for several years and would often jog on the different trails to get away from the busy crowded streets.
Aimee Handelman | Collingswood, NJ
View more moments by visiting our interactive 500 moments map.
