First State in Trails sets project list
Nineteen projects have been proposed to create a world-class interconnected bicycle and pedestrian pathway network in the state.
Gov. Jack Markell’s vision for bicycling trails and pathways is to use them to create local jobs, link communities to improve local economies, improve health by providing accessible trails for safe transportation choices and re-establish Delaware as a Top 10 Bicycle Friendly state. The state now ranks 17th.
In addition to trails and pathways in Sussex County, those in Kent County include:
• Dover to Clayton Rail Pathway – Connect the existing Scarborough Road shared-use pathway at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover with the town of Clayton along an existing rail right-of-way.
• Capital Bikeway – An extension of an existing bicycle/pedestrian pathway 0.7 miles through the center of Dover to Legislative Hall and the state government complex with connections to the St. Jones River Trail.
• St. Jones River Trail & Isaac Branch Trail – Two segments define the existing 3.2-mile trail. The upper section begins in Dover’s Silver Lake Park, extending to Division Street and a sidewalk between Division and Loockerman Streets to create community connections.
Among those in New Castle County are:
• Northern Delaware Greenway Trail – A 7.1-mile trail connecting many suburban and city neighborhoods, schools, businesses and community services.
• Newark to Wilmington Pathway, Phase 1 – A 6-mile new commuter/recreational pathway from Newark to Fairplay Station
• White Clay Creek State Park – Build or improve 5.3 miles of shared-use trails creating community connections to the existing Pomeroy Rail Trail.
• Auburn Heights – Creation of a 6.3-mile shared-use trail system across the Red Clay Valley within the state-owned Auburn Heights Preserve, and a community rail-trail link to Hockessin. This trail is also part of the Maine to Florida East Coast Greenway Trail.
Go to www.destateparks.com/firststatetrails to see a complete list of proposed trails and pathways.
