750-Mile Trail Network Near Philadelphia Receives $8.6 Million Gift

The William Penn Foundation has awarded $8.6 million in support for The Circuit—a planned regional network of bicycle and pedestrian trails for greater Philadelphia.

1 minute read

December 18, 2014, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The $8.6 million award will be split between two organizations in support of The Circuit"a network being built for pedestrians and bicyclists in Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey." The first award: $7 million to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to award for trail projects for the next three years. The second award equals $1.6 million for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to build awareness of The Circuit.

"The money will be funneled to local governments and non-profit organizations to design, plan and build trails, with an emphasis on urban corridors, Andrew Johnson, director of the foundation's watershed protection program," reports Nussbaum.

As for the status of The Circuit, Nussbaum provides this report: "About 285 miles of trails in the network have been built, and an additional 50 miles are in development, leaving about 415 miles to go."

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 in Philadelphia Inquirer

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