Warrington Cuts The Ribbon On Route 202 To Bradford Dam Trail

WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Warrington Township officials on Friday cut the ribbon on a new section of the Circuit Trail system, an 800-plus-mile network of multi-use trails linking urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the Philadelphia area.

The trailhead begins at the Route 202 Parkway and terminates at the Bradford Dam and is approximately five miles in length.

"One of the township's goals has been to create a system of interconnected trails that are accessible within 10 minutes of every household in the township. We're getting there," said Fred Gaines, chairman of the board of supervisors. "The opening of this segment will provide residents with a five mile long continuous path from Route 202 to Bradford Dam providing access to several residential communities, farmsteads, meadows, woodlands, streams, wetlands and even a quarry and a wastewater treatment plant."

The main goal of the system, said Sethu Manickavel, who chairs the township's Bike and Hike Committee, "is to provide a safe, accessible system for township residents to get out and reap the benefits of being surrounded by greenery and fresh air."

He called the new segment "the keystone that connects existing trails to the new ones, ultimately connecting to the Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition trails."

(Photo Courtesy of Warrington Township)

According to Manickavel, the bike and hike committee is working on ways to enhance the trails, including the addition of mile markers and helpful information. "We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy the trails safely and comfortably," he said.

"We believe the trails will enhance our residents' physical and mental health. Getting out into nature is an excellent way to relieve stress, boost mood and improve health," said Manickavel. "We hope you join us in exploring and using our trails."

The newly-constructed segment B trail begins at the intersection of Mill Creek and Pickertown roads where segment A ends. The trail continues along the westbound lane of Pickertown Road to the northwestern corner of the intersection of Pickertown and Lower State roads where it crosses Lower State Road and then Pickertown Road. From there, the trail continues to the Bradford Dam via a trail segment constructed by a private developer.

Segment C runs along the western side of Lower State Road extending from segment B at the northwest corner of the signalized intersection of Lower State and Pickertown roads and continues to the intersection of Lower State Road and Bellflower Boulevard.

State Senator Frank Farry and State Rep. Brian Monroe commended the township for its efforts to build the trail, preserve green space and provide residents with a place to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

Farry and Monroe gave shout outs to the management of the township, the work of the various boards and committees, but particularly singled out the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources which provided funding for the project.

Warrington Township received a $350,000 grant from the DCNR's Community Conservation Partnerships Program for the construction of the trail segments, which cost approximately $700,000.

A private developer completed a section of the trail starting from the intersection of Pickertown and Lower State roads, adjacent to the Emerson Farms Preserve, to the intersection of Buttercup Boulevard and Pickertown Road, then southward to the intersection of Street Road and Morning Walk Drive.

A road crossing at the intersection of Bradley and Folly roads continues the trail into John Paul Park at Lower Nike leading to the Bradford Dam.

The Circuit Trails System is a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails in the nine-county region of southeastern Pennsylvania and central and southern New Jersey.

Some of the area’s most iconic trails, such as the Schuylkill River Trail and Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, the Manayunk Bridge, Cooper River Trail, Pennypack Trail and the Chester Valley Trail, are part of the more than 300 miles that make up the Circuit Trails.

When the approximately 800 miles of the Circuit Trails are connected, the Philadelphia area will have a trail network unlike any other in the country. The Circuit Trails will connect the urban, suburban and rural communities of the fifth largest metropolitan region in the U.S.

A group of more than 65 non-profit organizations, foundations and agencies are working together to advance completion of the Circuit Trails through the Circuit Trails Coalition. To learn more, visit https://circuittrails.org.