Authored By: The Circuit Trails | December 12, 2025

It’s been a year to remember for the Circuit Trails! From crossing the 500-mile mark to welcoming new grantees to securing transformative funding, the region’s trail network surged forward thanks to the energy, collaboration, and commitment of countless partners, volunteers, advocates, and community members. As we reflect on an extraordinary year of progress, we’re celebrating the people and projects that made it all possible, and the momentum that’s carrying us toward our next big milestone. 

Major Trail Moments of 2025

Across the region, this year delivered milestone after milestone. Here’s a look back at a few of the moments that moved the Circuit Trails forward in 2025: 

Celebrate Trails Day: Walk the Ben Franklin Bridge | April 2025

In April, 10 events were planned on Circuit Trails across the region for Celebrate Trails Day, an annual springtime celebration of America’s trails hosted by Rails to Trails Conservancy.  

One of the events showcased the vital connections trails make across the region, and even across states. Community members came together for a walk over the Ben Franklin Bridge, traveling from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.  

Watch a recap of the Celebrate Trails Day walk across the bridge.  

Christian to Crescent Connector Opening | May 2025

Photo courtesy of Schuylkill Banks

The Christian to Crescent connector, a highly anticipated new section of the Schuylkill River Trail from Christian Street to Grays Ferry Crescent, officially opened to great excitement. The 650-foot cable-stay bridge extended the Schuylkill Banks an additional 2,800 feet and filled a critical gap in the trail in Philadelphia. 

Look back at the Christian to Crescent opening. 

Maiden Meadows Boardwalk Segment Completion | June 2025

Photo courtesy of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail opened the Maidenhead Meadows elevated boardwalk, marking a significant milestone for one of New Jersey’s premier multi-use trails. The 0.4-mile stretch is particularly vital as it allows trail users to safely cross the scenic wetland habitat and avoid heavy traffic on Princeton Pike in Mercer County. 

See more of the boardwalk trail.  

Highland Avenue Trail Connector Groundbreaking | June 2025

In early June, the future Highland Avenue Trail Connector broke ground at the intersection on Highland Avenue and W. 2nd Street in Chester, PA. The project will transform a 0.38-mile stretch into a multi-use, ADA-accessible trail and connect PA Route 291 (2nd Street) to the Riverwalk Trail along the Delaware River waterfront, expanding access to the Delaware River waterfront and breaking down long-standing barriers to green space. 

View scenes from the Highland Avenue Connector Groundbreaking. 

Robert A. Borski Jr. Park Opening | July 2025

Photo courtesy of Riverfront North Partnership

The 10-acre park in Bridesburg opened, reuniting residents with the Delaware River waterfront that had been cut off since the 1800s. Formerly a concrete dump, the Robert A. Borski Jr. park is now a green space for public enjoyment with riverfront views, walking trails, and areas dedicated for community events. 

Norristown Trail Junction Center Groundbreaking | October 2025

Photo courtesy of Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

The Trail Junction Center in Norristown, Pennsylvania, which welcomes more than one million trail users each year, officially broke ground. The former historic railroad freight station, at the intersection of the Schuylkill River Trail and the Chester Valley Trail, will become a hub for events, music, art, and more.  

Learn more about the Norristown Trail Junction Center. 

Toast to the Circuit Trails Celebration | November 2025 

Photo courtesy of Jack Larson

More than 200 trail users, partners, volunteers, funders, and friends gathered at Cherry Street Pier on Nov. 12 to celebrate a major milestone: The Circuit Trails officially reaching 500 miles by 2025. This total includes more than 420 miles already open to the public and 91.4 miles currently in progress, reflecting years of hard work and steady momentum across the region. This achievement fulfills an ambitious interim goal first set in 2017, marking eight years of collaboration, advocacy, and sustained investment.  

Check out how we toasted to our accomplishment! 

Funds to Fuel 2026 and Beyond

This year brought monumental investments that will accelerate trail development and expand access for communities across the region. Funding highlights include: 

$91 million – The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) through the New Jersey Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) approved funding to advance key Circuit Trails projects, including the Rancocas Creek Greenway, Glassboro–Elk Trail, Camden County LINK Trail, and the Johnson Trolley Trail, representing more than 40 miles of future trail connections. 

$13.7 million – A federal grant through the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program will link the Schuylkill River Trail from Manayunk to Passyunk Avenue, closing critical gaps in one of the region’s most beloved corridors. The funds will go toward building the Wissahickon Gateway Trail in Manayunk and the Passyunk Connection in Kingsessing and Elmwood Park in Southwest Philadelphia. Once complete, the trail will connect for 39 miles between Pottstown in Montgomery County and Southwest Philadelphia and create safe pathways that connect people to jobs, housing, transit, and more. 

$12.9 million – A renewed investment across multiple Circuit Trails Coalition members from the William Penn Foundation will support the Circuit Trails network for the next three years. 

Welcoming New Community Grantees and Coalition Members 

Thanks to the generous funding from the William Penn Foundation, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Circuit Trails Community Grant Program welcomed 11 new grantee partners and 14 returning organizations to offer outdoor programming that expand access and deepen community connections on the Circuit Trails throughout 2025. 

See the full list of Community Grant Program partners. 

Since its launch in 2012, the Circuit Trails Coalition has brought together nonprofit organizations, foundations, and agencies to advocate for a connected region of trails in the Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region. 

This year, three new organizations joined the Coalition: King of Prussia District, Walk Around Philadelphia, and PennFuture. 

New Year, New Goal: 550 Miles by 2030 

With 500 miles completed and in progress, our Circuit Trails Coalition is setting their sights on a new goal: 550 miles by 2030. Backed by an expanding network of partners, growing community engagement, and steady project momentum, this next chapter will continue to focus on strengthening connectivity across the region. 

Share Your Moments #OnTheCircuit

Photo courtesy of Jack Larson

As we celebrate this remarkable year, we ask you to reflect on the moments that make the Circuit Trails special to you. Whether it’s your favorite trail view, a family outing, a community event, or a simple moment in nature, share your experiences as part of our ongoing 500 Moments #OnTheCircuit.  

Tell us what makes the Circuit special, share your moment. 

To stay engaged and follow the progress of the Circuit Trails, explore our interactive map, which highlights existing, in-progress, pipeline, and planned projects across the network.  

We look forward to making 2026 a year to remember! Stay up to date by following us on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.