Major New Trail Connecting Schuylkill River To KOP Awarded $1 Million Grant

UPPER MERION, PA — A $1 million grant has been awarded to Upper Merion Township to help complete the Valley Forge Gateway Trail, a new multiuse path that would connect the Schuylkill River Trail to King of Prussia and numerous sites between.

The grant, which comes from the federal Eastern Federal Lands Access Program, is specifically targeted for a 500 meter stretch between Valley Forge National Historical Park and North Gulph Road, where it comes together with Route 422 and First Avenue. It's the intersection with Valley Forge Casino and Topgolf.

“(This segment of) the Valley Forge Gateway Trail will address a crucial disconnect between Valley Forge National Historic Park and residential, entertainment and retail destinations within King of Prussia," Tina Garzillo, chair of the Upper Merion Board of Supervisors, said in a statement. "(It will) create a safer way for residents, employees, and visitors to enjoy all the benefits our community has to offer."

When completed, the 2.8 trail will run from the western end of Valley Forge, near the Visitor Center and the Schuylkill River Trail, through the King of Prussia Town Center, Village at Valley Forge, Moore Park, and all the way to the Chester Valley Trail. It will pass through parts of Norristown, Bridgeport, Lower Providence, Upper Merion, Tredyffrin, Upper Providence and West Norriton.

Officials are using PennDOT right of ways to build most of the trail. Improvements are also being made to intersections, including sidewalks, ADA curb ramps, and improved traffic signals.

The federal funding comes on top of recent grants of $500,000 and $148,375 from the state's Department of Community and Economic Development, and $326,900 from the William Penn Foundation.