Rails to Trails Initiative

Rails to Trails News:

Montgomery County Commissioners officially cut the ribbon on a new 2.7 mile extension of the Pennypack Trail in Lower Moreland Township at Terwood Road just northwest of its intersection with Welsh Road. The trail now runs 5.4 miles from Lorimer Park to Byberry Road through Bryn Athyn.
 

Sarah Clark Stuart, deputy director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and member of “Connect the Circuit,” which advocates greater trail connectivity throughout the region, said the new connection is part of a greater effort at “whittling away at the 400 miles of trail that remain to be built as part of the circuit.”

 

Bucks County Chief Clerk Lynn Bush said efforts to extend the trail network into Bucks County are currently being investigated.  This trail will eventually be built right behind Tamanend Park with access from the Park.

 

 

The Penn Tammany Greenway Coalition 2015 spring cleanup

Many volunteers showed up at the train station in Southampton for a spring cleanup.  They are shown with 30 bags of trash.

Would you like to see a recreational trail and preserved greenway along the Fox Chase-Newtown rail line in Bucks County?  The trail would provide a connection to an established rail to trail corridor in Montgomery County and the proposed Neshaminy Creek Trail in Bucks County.  This trail would run directly behind Tamanend Park.  A group of residents in Southampton and Northampton Townships would like you to join the effort to "Build Our Trail" along the inactive Fox Chase-Newtown rail line, which bisects both of these townships. Trails along this line are included as a general recommendation in the Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan Update.

 

Many studies have shown an increasing need for recreational trails for biking and walking in the great outdoors.  "Rails to Trails" initiatives provide a unique opportunity to do so.  The gentle grade of the rail bed also makes these trails very accessible for our senior citizens and people with disabilities.

 

Good news!  The Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported that Montgomery County officials are planning to convert more of the old Newtown Branch rail line to a recreational trail through Lower Moreland, Bryn Athyn and Upper Moreland, and down through Rockledge.

 

The $1.6 million, 3.8 mile addition will triple the length of the Pennypack Trail, extending it north and south of its current path through Lorimer Park.  It will be a gravel trail, designed for walkers, runners and recreational bikers was completion in the summer of 2015. 

 

Since the rail line closed 31 years ago, trees have sprouted between the tracks, bridges have collapsed and housing developments have grown up along the corridor. 

This trail will certainly improve the old rail line.  

 

Lorimer Park's Pennypack trail is finally finished.  This is a 2.4 mile rail-trail located mostly in Lorimer Park in Montgomery County and connected to Pennypack Park in Philadelphia.  We encourage you to visit the trail for a great example of what a completed Rails to Trails project could look like in our community.  Converted from the old Fox Chase Newtown branch line, this trail runs from Rockledge Borough on the Philadelphia-Montgomery County boundary north to Huntingdon Pike (Rte. 232) in Abington Township.

 

The trail now connects to Pennypack Park and a ten mile paved trail along Pennypack Creek, leading to the waterfront on the Delaware River.  Find the entrance to Pennypack Park on Pine Road south of Moredon Road, where there is extensive parking with picnic areas. 

 

Now is the time to take advantage of this unique opportunity and make this trail a reality right here in Southampton.  We need your help to build our trail.  Please visit our website:  www.buildourtrail.org for more information about "rails to trails" and how you can help.  Be sure to sign the online petition and "Like" us on Facebook @ "Build Our Trail."   

 

 

Completed Lorimer Park Trail in Montgomery County