East Coast Greenway

People are all about trails these days, but if the thought of ticks and poison ivy makes you want to stay inside, then hiking the deep woods might not be the best path for you. Urban adventurers are creating The East Coast Greenway trail for walking, biking and other non-motorized uses. The Greenway will connect major cities, including Philadelphia, along 3,000 miles of waterfront esplanades, park paths, and highway corridors from Maine to Florida.
Background: 

PEC builds upon its trail work throughout the Commonwealth, and shares the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources' vision of a statewide greenway network. By working with the East Coast Greenway Alliance, the Council is creating the Southeast PA segments of a pedestrian and bike path that will connect 3,000 miles of urban areas from Maine to Florida.

Currently work continues on the three segments of the trail: along the Delaware River, an important connecting segment through Center City Philadelphia, and along the Schuylkill River basin south from the existing Schuylkill River Trail into Delaware County.

PEC also works to assess additional potential greenway segments throughout the region - the East Coast Greenway isn't a finite trail, it's a network of greenway alignments.

The final greenway segment recommendations and plans will result from public involvement meetings and work with stakeholders including the, Bicycle Coalition, Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, East Coast Greenway Alliance, Center City District, Schuylkill River Development Corporation, Delaware River City Corporation, neighborhoods groups, and many others.

Waterfront park trees.jpg
Project Goals: 
  • Complete a Feasibility Study/Master Site Development Plan for all remaining sections of the Pennsylvania East Coast Greenway Trail not yet developed to the Feasibility Study level.
Major milestones/successes to date: 
  • Greenway steering committee established (with representatives form multiple stakeholders) and engaged in promoting the greenway
  • Six concept designs created for the Greenway that will connect existing Schuylkill River Trail (in Center City Philadelphia) to the Heinz Wildlife Refuge near the Philadelphia International Airport, and points south
  • Concept plans and designs underway for the Center City Greenway, which will connect the Delaware and Schuylkill River trails and has the potential to significantly recast the streetscape of Center City Philadelphia
  • Planning ongoing for remaining portions
Current/upcoming plans: 

  • Completion of feasibility studies by summer 2008