Manayunk-Whitemarsh Trail Connection Grows Nearer

MANAYUNK, PHILADELPHIA – Connecting Manayunk to Whitemarsh via Wissahickon trails is growing nearer, as Montgomery County recently earned significant funding to pursue the connection.

The county received $25K to study a completion of the connection.

Specifically, the new study will look at ways to bring trail users from the northwest terminus of Forbidden Drive to an existing portion of the trail near Morris Arboretum, about a half a mile away.

This is the last part of the Wissahickon Trail between Manayunk and Fort Washington State Park in Whitemarsh that's not yet been completed, authorities said.

It's just one of four trail projects in Montgomery County that received significant funding from the DVRPC.

“These projects are an important part of our vision for sustainable, connected, vibrant communities throughout Montgomery County,” said Val Arkoosh, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “These regional grants show that we share that vision and can collaborate with our neighboring counties to create a robust circuit trail system.”

The projects that are being funded include:

• $25,000 for a study of a trail connection between Wissahickon Valley Park and Morris Arboretum
• $100,000 for a junction center at the intersection of the Chester Valley Trail and Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown
• $60,000 to link Chester Valley Trail to Schuylkill River Trail in Upper Merion
• Expansion of Cynwyd Trail to Mann Center area in Philadelphia

The projects are all a part of the completion of the Circuit, a planned 750-mile network of trails throughout the Philadelphia region.

Story by Justin Hezine

Image via Montgomery County