Trails are essential to our communities—they provide safe routes for biking and walking to school or work; access to nature; and connections across neighborhoods, counties and state lines. Local officials need your help to continue to build support for expanding and maintaining the Circuit Trails network. Funding at the federal level is under review and investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure are being heavily scrutinized. That’s why the Circuit Trails needs your support—to show how the investments in the Circuit provide the region with infrastructure essential to our quality of life.

For more than a decade, we’ve been working together, across the region, to connect 500 miles of Circuit Trails so more people in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey can safely walk, bike and be active outside. 

But keeping trails safe and welcoming depends on regular maintenance: clearing debris, repairing surfaces and ensuring trails remain safe, visible, clean and accessible. 

As the Circuit Trails network continues to grow, so does the need for dedicated investment in trail maintenance and stewardship. Without sustained funding and local support, communities risk falling behind on the upkeep needed to keep trails safe and welcoming for all ages and abilities. 

To help keep city trails safe, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation recently secured a one-year grant from the William Penn Foundation to develop a dedicated six-person maintenance crew. However, this initial investment is limited to Philadelphia city and only covers one year. 

Take action now and ask your local elected officials to support continued investment, maintenance and expansion of the Circuit trails across the region to ensure they remain safe and accessible for all.

Use the links below to send a letter to the officials in your county.