Authored By: The Circuit Trails | June 23, 2025

If you love hitting the trail—whether for a brisk walk, a scenic bike ride or just soaking in the outdoors—you’ve got plenty to celebrate. In the span of one month, we had two trail openings and two groundbreakings, moving us closer to a major milestone: 500 miles of Circuit Trails completed or fully-funded by the end of 2025.

TRAIL OPENINGS

Photo by Daniel Paschall

Christian to Crescent: A Stunning New Link Along the Schuylkill

One of the latest additions to the Schuylkill River Trail is the much-anticipated Christian to Crescent connector. This half-mile segment completes an entirely off-road route between Center City and the Grays Ferry Crescent. With a sleek 650-foot woven harp cable-stayed bridge arching over the water—one of the first of its kind in Pennsylvania—this trail portion is as much a work of art as it is a key connector.

Runners, walkers and cyclists now have a seamless path that navigates under I-76, replacing a tricky and disconnected stretch. It’s designed to encourage local residents to leave the car behind and enjoy a faster, safer and greener route through the city’s heart. With benches, lighting and new greenery, it’s a fresh space for commuting or recreating with a stunning river view.

Photo by Claire Wille

Maidenhead Meadows Boardwalk: Beauty and Safety in Mercer County

In New Jersey, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail is celebrating the opening of an elevated boardwalk through the wetlands of Maidenhead Meadows. This 0.4-mile stretch allows cyclists and pedestrians to glide over sensitive natural habitat safely, away from the heavy traffic of Princeton Pike.

The boardwalk completes a critical link in the southern portion of the 20-mile Lawrence Hopewell Trail, bringing the network closer to a seamless loop. It’s a perfect example of trail design that balances recreation, safety and environmental stewardship.

GROUNDBREAKINGS

Photo by the Circuit Trails

Highland Avenue Trail Connector: Reconnecting Residents to the Delaware River

In Chester, work just got underway on the Highland Avenue Trail Connector. This 0.38-mile multi-use trail will link PA Route 291 to the Riverwalk Trail behind Subaru Park, expanding access to the Delaware River waterfront and breaking down long-standing barriers to green space.

This new stretch is about more than just walking and biking–it’s about reconnecting Chester residents with their city’s natural assets and opening the door to future economic development. With construction underway and a projected finish by winter 2025/2026, Chester is moving forward with safe, accessible trail space that will serve as a vital link within the Circuit Trails network and East Coast Greenway.

Photo by Shawn Megill Legendre

Neshaminy Greenway Trail Extension Begins

Another exciting milestone is underway—this time in Bucks County, where construction officially began May 29, 2025, on a one-mile extension of the Neshaminy Greenway Trail in Core Creek Park. This new segment will link existing trails to the intersection of Woodbourne and Ellis roads, opening up even more outdoor access for local residents.

The trail will follow the scenic edge of Lake Luxembourg and include a 150-foot floating boardwalk to guide pedestrians and cyclists over a tributary of Core Creek. Once complete, this stretch will become part of a larger vision: a continuous greenway connecting communities from Chalfont Borough all the way to the Delaware River along Neshaminy Creek. The project is expected to wrap up in 12 to 18 months. 

LOOKING AHEAD NEAR AND FAR

Borski Park 

The progress #OnTheCircuit doesn’t stop there. In mid-July, Riverfront North Partnership and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation will open the region’s newest waterfront park: Robert A. Borski, Jr. Park. The Delaware River trailhead park will connect directly with the existing Port Richmond Trail/Delaware Ave. Extension to the south, transforming the space for public use with a focus on ecological restoration. 

You can join the opening festivities in July. Friday, July 11, will be the formal ribbon-cutting celebration and then on Saturday, July 12, community members are invited to Borski Splash, a family-friendly event featuring a nature walk, field games, yoga, soul line dancing, drumming, art activities and more. See all event details and register here.

Schuylkill Crossing

But wait, there’s more! By late 2025, another eagerly awaited project is expected to open: a new swing bridge connecting the Grays Ferry Crescent to Bartram’s Mile. This ADA-accessible crossing will span the river where an old railroad once ran, offering a vital new connection for pedestrians and cyclists.

Though the project faced delays due to the fabrication of the new truss—which is now ready for painting—the finish line is in sight. Once the truss is in place and the remaining site work is done, this link will unlock new possibilities for commuting, exploring and enjoying the Schuylkill River waterfront.

Trail Momentum Continues to Build

With these projects underway and others on the horizon, the Circuit Trails network is steadily moving toward the ambitious goal of 500 miles by the end of 2025. 

You can help shape the future of the Circuit Trails by reaching out to your local officials. As federal funding and investments in bicycle infrastructure face close scrutiny, your voice is essential to show the value of these investments for our region’s quality of life.

Tell your county officials why you love the Circuit Trails, how they’ve impacted your life and what expanding the network would mean for you. Use this link to send a letter now. 

Keep your walking shoes ready and your bike tuned up—there’s never been a better time to explore the Circuit Trails.