Maintaining Safe and Welcoming Trails: How You Can Get Involved in Trail Advocacy
Authored By: The Circuit Trails | October 20, 2026
Ever wonder what goes into making your favorite trail so special? To keep the Circuit Trails network in good shape for people to enjoy and use for everyday trips, the trails require regular care and maintenance.
Across Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, the Circuit Trails connects communities with places to walk, bike, commute and enjoy the outdoors. But our work doesn’t stop when a trail opens. Regular maintenance helps keep these paths safe, welcoming and accessible so people can continue to enjoy them for years to come.
With more than 500 miles of trails already open and in-progress, caring for the network we have is an important part of building the network we envision. That means investing not only in new connections, but also in the people and programs that keep existing trails in good condition.
Over the summer, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) established the city’s first full-time, six-person trail-maintenance crew dedicated to monitoring and maintaining multiuse trails from the Wissahickon to Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia. The program is funded by a $600,000, one-year grant from the William Penn Foundation.
The trail crew prioritized maintenance across 10 watershed parks, including those along the Wissahickon Trail, Pennypack Trail, Tacony Creek Trail and Cobbs Creek Trail.
Who maintains the Circuit Trails?
Maintaining the growing network requires collaboration and dedicated resources. The Circuit Trails Coalition’s Maintenance Committee, spearheaded by Will Fraser and Pauline Berkowitz, works to keep the region’s multiuse trail network safe, clean and operational through collaborative stewardship, educational workshops and advocacy for sustained funding.
What is trail maintenance?
Trail maintenance encompasses a range of routine tasks, including mowing grass, removing downed trees, trimming overgrown vegetation, plowing snow, repairing cracks in asphalt, clearing drains, removing trash and maintaining trail amenities.
These efforts help ensure trails remain safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone who uses them.
While the region has made progress in securing funding and advancing maintenance initiatives, more work remains. Long-term investment and support are essential to preserving these connected spaces and ensuring trails remain safe and accessible for all.
Interested in learning more? Join us for a trail maintenance workshop.
To highlight the importance of trail maintenance across the region, the Circuit Trails Maintenance Committee is hosting a workshop in partnership with Circuit Trails Coalition members Camden Greenways and Trust for Public Land on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
The workshop will cover practical trail maintenance techniques, volunteer recruitment and management, and native and nonnative vegetation management. Designed for trail professionals, volunteers and community members, the event will combine classroom instruction with hands-on outdoor activities.
Event details:
Date: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (breakfast and lunch included)
Location: Camden County Historical Society, 1900 Park Blvd., Camden, NJ 08103
Additional information:
Classroom sessions: Held on the second floor of the Camden County Historical Society, which is accessible only by stairs and is not ADA-accessible. Street parking will be available.
Outdoor sessions: Held along the Camden Greenway in Farnham Park and behind Camden High School. Both trail locations are paved.
Restrooms: Available inside the Historical Society, with portable toilets available in Farnham Park.
Tools: All tools needed for the outdoor sessions will be provided.
By investing in the care of our existing trails, we can help ensure the Circuit Trails network continues to connect people and communities for generations to come.
