Authored By: Patrick Monahan | PA Vice Chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition | June 29, 2026

Originally published on the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Board approved the list of seventeen projects listed in the Regional Trails Program totaling to $4.55 million to advance the development of the regional Circuit Trails network in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Regional Trails Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding for the planning, design, and construction of segments of the Circuit Trails, Greater Philadelphia’s multi-use trail network, and adjoining infrastructure, such as trailheads and neighborhood connections. Over the years, the Regional Trails Program continues to advance the goals of the region’s long-range plan, Update: Connections 2050, and its vision of a safe, modern, multimodal transportation network for all. See below for the full list of projects that were awarded funds through the Regional Trails Program:

Regional Trails Program Recommended 2026 Awards

New Jersey

Burlington County:

1. Rancocas Creek Greenway – Rowan College of Burlington County to Smithville Park & Mount Holly to Medford Spur – $85,000 – Burlington County will assess the feasibility of and identify an alignment for the Rancocas Creek Greenway between Rowan College of Burlington County in Mount Laurel and Smithville Park near Mount Holly and a connecting trail between Mount Holly and Medford. The Rancocas Creek Greenway is a Circuit Trail.

2. Southern Regional Trails – Rowan College of Burlington County to Levin Nature Preserve – $400,000 – Burlington County will design an off-road trail from Rowan College of Burlington County to the Levin Nature Preserve and Hartford Elementary School at the intersection of Hartford and Hainesport-Mount Laurel Roads in Mount Laurel Township.

Camden County:

3. Delaware River Heritage Trail – Baldwin’s Run – $400,000 – Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority will design a segment of the Delaware River Heritage Trail between 29th and 36th streets in the City of Camden. The Delaware River Heritage Trail is a Circuit Trail.

Mercer County:

4. Delaware & Bound Brook Trail – $200,000 – The City of Trenton will assess the feasibility of the Delaware & Bound Brook Trail between the Trenton Wellness Loop in downtown Trenton and the municipal border with Ewing Township. The Trenton Wellness Loop is a Circuit Trail.

5. Mercer County Cross County Trail – Western Connector – $400,000 – Lawrence Township will design a bridge over the Shabakunk Creek and adjacent trail segments between the Johnson Trolley Trail (JTT) and the Lawrence Nature Center and Drexel Woods, serving as the westernmost part of the proposed Cross County Trail and its connection to the JTT. The JTT is a Circuit Trail.

Pennsylvania

Bucks County:

1. East Coast Greenway – River Road Trail – $312,200 – The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will design a segment of the East Coast Greenway along River Road between Croydon Woods Nature Preserve and State Road in Bristol Township. The project is funded for construction through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program. The East Coast Greenway is a Circuit Trail. Action Item for June 9, 2026

2. Newtown Rail Trail – Phase 3 – $400,000 – Bucks County will design a segment of the Newtown Rail Trail in Northampton Township between the Churchville Nature Center and the Village Shires Community. The Newtown Rail Trail is a Circuit Trail.

Chester County:

3. Chester Valley Trail Connector via Exton Park – $400,000 – West Whiteland Township will design the Chester Valley Trail Connector through a portion of Exton Park between Swedesford Road and the completed Chester Valley Trail. The project is funded for construction through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program. The Chester Valley Trail Connector is a Circuit Trail.

4. East Branch Brandywine Trail – $100,000 – East Caln Township will study the feasibility of a segment of the East Branch Brandywine Trail between the existing trail on the bridge carrying US322 over the Brandywine Creek and the intersection of Robbins Road and US322/Brandywine Ave. The segment will parallel US322/Brandywine Ave. The East Branch Brandywine Trail is a Circuit Trail.

Delaware County:

5. Chester Creek Trail Connector in Chester, PA – $400,000 – The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will design a segment of the Chester Creek Trail between Eyre Park and the planned East Coast Greenway alignment in the City of Chester. The Chester Creek Trail and East Coast Greenway are Circuit Trails.

6. Octoraro Trail – Creek Road Bridge and Trail – $200,000 – The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art will assess the feasibility and initiate design of a segment of the Octoraro Trail, including a bridge over Creek Road and an adjacent trail on Conservancy property. The Octoraro Trail is a Circuit Trail.

Montgomery County:

7. Cross County Trail – Dreshertown Road Segment – $400,000 – Upper Dublin Township Municipal Authority will construct a segment of the Cross County Trail between Susquehanna Road and Bantry Drive in Upper Dublin Township. The Cross County Trail is a Circuit Trail.

8. Schuylkill River Trail – Haws Avenue and Chain Street Trailhead Improvements – $200,000 – Montgomery County will construct multi-use improvements and formalize trailheads at Haws Avenue and Chain Street on the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. The Schuylkill River Trail is a Circuit Trail.

Philadelphia:

9. Cobbs Creek Trail – Phase B2 – $129,913 – The City of Philadelphia will acquire right-of-way for segment B2 of the Cobbs Creek Trail in Philadelphia. This project is funded for construction. The Cobbs Creek Trail is a Circuit Trail. Action Item for June 9, 2026

10. Ivy Ridge Trail – $200,000 – The City of Philadelphia will design a segment of the Ivy Ridge between the existing trail on the Manayunk Bridge and SEPTA’s Ivy Ridge regional rail station in Philadelphia. The Ivy Ridge Trail is a Circuit Trail.

11. Schuylkill River Trail – Mule Bridge – $38,587 – The City of Philadelphia, in coordination with Montgomery County, will assess right-of-way needs for a trail on the Mule Bridge and adjacent canal towpath in Lower Merion Township and the City of Philadelphia. The Schuylkill River Trail is part of the Circuit Trails.

12. Schuylkill River Trail – Wissahickon Gateway – $284,300 – The City of Philadelphia will acquire right-of-way for the Wissahickon Gateway Trail between the existing Schuylkill River Trail adjacent to Kelly Drive and the Pencoyd Bridge in the City of Philadelphia. The Wissahickon Gateway is a Circuit Trail.