Schuylkill River Trail Gets $3 Million Grant To Extend In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- The Schuylkill River Trail, already named the best in the nation, is looking to get a whole lot better.

Governor Tom Wolf announced Monday that a $3 million state grant would be given to the city of Philadelphia to improve a 2.25 mile section of the trail.

“With the help of our investment, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation will be able to reclaim and redevelop brownfield sites along the river,” Governor Wolf said in a statement. “Turning a former eyesore and blighted area into a new and accessible space for city residents, we will create a valuable resource in a currently underserved neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia.”

Wolf was joined by several local leaders including Senator Anthony Williams, Representative Jordan Harris, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Dunn, and others.

The money comes from the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

>>$4,700 Donated To Schuylkill River Trail By Local Brewery

“The Schuylkill River Trail is one of many solid examples of a city’s vibrancy and a river’s rebirth, and DCNR is very proud to be a longtime partner in its development,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said.

The money will help organizers complete a $13 million project to extend the trail from Bartram’s Mile to Passyunk Point. Key hurdles include land acquisition, remediation, site work, and construction.

Organizers hope that the Schuylkill River Trail will run 130 miles along the length of the entire river once complete. There are currently over 60 miles of completed trail, including a 30-mile stretch from Philadelphia to Parkerford.

According to the governor's office, the trail accommodates over two million users each year.

Image courtesy of Governor Wolf's office.