August 26, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 293

For more information contact Charles Salkin, Delaware State Parks Director, 302-739-9200; or Beth Shockley, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Officials mark completion of major links in the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail

DOVER - DNREC and elected officials, Delaware Greenways, Inc., DelDOT and other trail users and advocates today marked the completion of major “missing links” that finish almost all of the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail - the nearly nine-mile long trail that connects several state and county parks in the Wilmington area. The newest section, about a half-mile long, connects Brandywine Park to Alapocas Run State Park.

“Creating areas like the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail improves our quality of life and makes Delaware more attractive to employers,” said Governor Jack Markell.  “The achievement of this milestone reflects hard work, as well as cooperation between state agencies and community organizations.  Thank you and congratulations to the teams who helped out.”

“It’s been a long time coming, but we are pleased to announce the completion of several significant links of the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara, “I want to thank our partners for accelerating the completion of this important project, including Delaware Greenways and its volunteers, legislators, and all other trail advocates. It couldn’t have happened without all of their help.”

“Not only does the completion of the trail enhance recreation and fitness opportunities and increase public safety, it also and helps reduce air pollution,” said Charles Salkin, director of DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation.  “It’s now possible, for example, for someone who lives in Wilmington and works anywhere along the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail, to bike to work. The completion of the trail contributes to more livable and walkable communities,” Salkin added.

One trail section, which runs parallel to Alapocas Drive, connects sidewalks from the Alapocas neighborhood.  The trail is 700 feet long and includes a 70-foot long steel bridge over Alapocas Run. The second trail section was constructed after DNREC acquired conservation easements to make the connection to Brandywine Zoo.

The nine-mile-long Northern Delaware Greenway Trail starts at Fox Point State Park and connects Bellevue State Park, New Castle County’s Bringhurst Woods and Rockwood Parks, Rock Manor Golf Course, Alapocas Run State Park and Brandywine Park.

“Completion of a ‘start to finish’ signage system for the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail is an important turning point for this project,” said Mark Chura, Executive Director of Delaware Greenways, Inc, a non-profit trail advocacy organization.  “It took 20 years, and involvement from many, many people including citizen activists, government officials and community leaders, to acquire the land and build this trail network.  The new signs and stencils mark the beginning of a new effort to build awareness of this amazing facility, and get families and those that work adjacent to the trail walking and hiking it as part of a healthy lifestyle.  We are grateful to Delaware Greenway volunteers, Delaware State Parks staff and Representative Tom Kovach, who provided the funding for the new signage, for all their efforts”   

The completion of the trail also designates the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail as a portion of the East Coast Greenway route through Delaware. The East Coast Greenway Alliance is a regional trail advocacy organization that has envisioned a trail running from Maine to Florida connecting major urban areas.

“Linking these beautiful parks creates a continuous trail that the people of Delaware can safely enjoy for their daily commute and weekend recreation,” said Dennis Markatos-Soriano, executive director of the East Coast Greenway Alliance. “This progress maintains Delaware’s status as a leader among its peers in developing a safe, accessible East Coast Greenway from Canada to Florida. Congratulations to DNREC, DelDOT and everyone involved in this big step forward.”