Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. It was a weekday so I did not have any problems with traffic. Home Planning Topics Transportation Trail Planning Chester Valley Trail Extension Study. It continues past the Veterans Memorial Park and into the King of Prussia area of Upper Merion Township. The trail is generally constructed to a 10-12 width with 2 level shoulders on each side. That would be nice to include on the trail information page. A nice, flat, paved and well marked trail. Only about 500 ft of total elevation after doing a down and back. There I are just enough small hills to make it interesting but not too steep.There is a clean restroom and water fountain at approximately 11 miles. The intersection is large, so by the time you're in the middle of it, traffic is inbound and they barely slow down! MARKINGS!!! Lots of bikers, walkers and families on this trail but majority were friendly as you passed. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Completion of multi-use trail from Exton to Thorndale 23.0 ROW Acquisition 2024 -2030 Chester Valley Trail West Completion of trail from Downingtown to Atglen 36.0 Seeking Funding 2023 -2030 Struble Trail Extension Completion of multi -use trail from Marsh Creek State Park to Reeds Road The remote sections are nice and trail well maintained but would choose a different trail next time. Before we send you to , pleasesubscribe to our daily newsletter. The westernmost portion, through the still largely undeveloped Exton Park, has an uneven, gravel and stone surface, which gives way to smooth asphalt next to the Valley Corporate Center and continues east to Route 29. Looking forward to more rides! And don't get your hopes up when you see the 0.5 mile sign, there is still another mile or so to go. Runs too close to busy highways and past shopping centers. SRPRA not to be confused with SEPTA is finally chugging along with plans to restore rail service connecting Reading, Pottstown, Phoenixville, and Philadelphia. I cannot claim to be a frequent trail user. 2023 The Circuit Trails. The trail extension project included the installation of two new pedestrian bridges at South Gulph Road and Henderson Road, and the enhancement of two existing bridges. Counties: Chester. The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. Park benches were pretty common, too. But going further has major road crossings, and one enters into a major commercial area, and about a mile or so past that, the trail simply stops. Extension to identify a preferred alignment and preferred bicycle/pedestrian facility types from Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail. The new trail section is a 10- to 12-foot-wide, paved, multiuse path that is part of the Circuit Trails network, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multiuse trails in the Greater Philadelphia region that is growing each year. Once one reaches Exton Park Trailhead, where water, restroom and tables are available, unless one wants to go into Exton, there is little reason to travel further. Well maintained, paved, with plenty of shade. Chester Valley Trail extension spotlights connection to Norristown's Schuylkill River Trail. I did find my way to where the trail starts up again at Commerce Dr. Getting across Rt 100 is a challenge. There is a 0.8-mile spur trail that splits from the main route by the intersection of Commerce Drive and S Pottstown Pike/Main Street. Officials plan to open the Chester Valley Trail extension this winter. The trail is asphalt all the way, and virtually level. There are mileage markers almost every half mile, and also some signs for points of interest. 100 crossing, but you need to be alert. According to a recent Chester Valley Trail Extension survey, respondents would like to see a connection to historical landmarks along the Trail. The county will start designing the last 5-mile stretch of the trail in 2023. %%EOF I am only giving this trail three stars, not because the trail is a poor experience, but it is a short trail for me, and there are numerous road crossings. We will go back after a few more trails to see if we still think the same. Montgomery County is advancing another major trail project the new Cross County Trail. I then headed out on my run going East (I think) for 3.1 miles. Lots of stops to cross traffic. I'm anxioust to ride end-to-end. This should be on all trails. The entrance into the park near Church Farm School is not marked and the parking lot is not complete. This Phase will be about 1.25 miles. Despite its current, short length, this trail allows residents from communities south of the Schuylkill Expressway and Route 202 to walk or bike to the King of Prussia Mall. pts 4 downingtown train station rail station, parking, ped access bp 2 chester valley trail extension to downingtown multi-use trail bp 3 chester valley trail: exton to oaklands multi-use trail bp 12 brandywine trail ext: bradford av to boot rd multi-use trail bp 30 business 30: lloyd ave to train station streetscapes Length: 2.5 miles. All Rights Reserved. This trails brings me such joy! The good news for bicyclists is that the trail is flat, wide, smooth, and fairly scenic as it winds past parks, forested land, and streams. Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted. We are very excited about the potential for developing this trail in the heart of central Chester County and expanding The Circuit, Greater Philadelphias regional trail network. It then continues for an additional 1500 feet before abruptly dead-ending at a clump of bushes. Started in the car park at the western end and rode all the way to KoP. This is my new favorite trail. Several of the crossings are by bridge or tunnel and some are on the street. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? At its eastern end, the rail-trail connects to theSchuylkill River Trail inNorristown. Chester Valley Trail Chester Valley Trail - 4a In Progress 6.34 1.04 Schuylkill River Trail Parkerford Road to Route 422 In Progress 5.71 4.11 Brandywine Creek Trail P&T Trail to Robbins Road Pipeline 5.83 0.30 Chester Valley Trail CVT Extension to Downingtown - P&T Line Pipeline 9.86 6.68 Youve got to build that basic infrastructure that provides the broad access that you can then tie into and connect, he said. Can't wait for the expansions to be completed in the coming years and ride from Downingtown to Philadelphia. I can't wait for winter 2022 for extension to Sckuylkill river trail in Norristown. Starting from King of Prussia (South Gulph Road Parking Area) and riding out to West Whiteland Township Trailhead (Main Street at Exton), the ride is relatively flat with a slow and constant elevation gain. Please give today. The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester County's Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery County's Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. It is primarily shady and completely flat which makes it perfect for long training runs. In other areas, homes and office parks are along the way. We've started at both the Exton end and the King of Prussia end (2 different days) and in both cases rode about 7 miles to Media, where we had lunch, and then did the return trip. The plan is to expand this trail one mile to the west. Use figures as determined by Chester Valley Trail Counters showed 477,092 users of the Chester Valley Trail, 68,225 on the Schuylkill River Trail and 350,713 along the Struble Trail, during 2021. @oiA'@!=pH0pb` 6^,n The only drawback is crossing several roads which could be a challenge at busy times, and could be a negative for bikers. I'm wondering what the thoughts are. The Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Enjoy! 100 in the next phase and eventually all the way to Downingtown so you cannot yet gain access at Ship Rd. For a newbie, these crossings were sometimes confusing. Even saw a group walking with a large American flaga great bonus to our Labor Day ride! In addition, recommendations are made for providing on and off-road connections between the P+T line, Struble Trail, and East Branch Brandywine Trail through Downingtown. Note: we started at the King of Prussia end and rode to Exton, but the last mile or so of the trail was closed. The section that I have ridden stretches from Valley Creek Rd near the Church Farm School eastward to Rt 29 near the new Wegman's - approx 4.5 miles. You'll be pleased. . It's a pretty run, homes to look at, woods, hills parts are shaded, parts are not. Beautiful views and even have several mile of tree cover as well. It might get a little boring. Worth the travel from Maryland. I completely agree that the trail has many crossings, which can be difficult to navigate (not for markings, but for motorists who are not really attentive). Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. The trail has a slight downhill grade from the Exton Trailhead to its southwest end (Between Rt 100 and S.Whitford Rd) and is about 2 miles one way. Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. Its how we live. Complete municipal or multi-municipal bicycle/pedestrian/trail plans to identify potential local connections to the planned regional trail network, including the Chester Valley Trail and West Branch Brandywine Creek Trail. Meanwhile, the Schuylkill River Trail, which runs through East Coventry and North Coventry townships, will have four miles added to its current 5.75 miles this spring. Primarily residential on one side and highway (202?) Started at the North Gulf road. East Branch Brandywine Trail Facts. As of late 2011, three major segments of the trail, which is being constructed along an abandoned rail line that once connected Downingtown to Norristown and allowed freight trains to bypass Philadelphia, have been built in Chester and Montgomery counties. 29 you need to zig and zag and wait for the traffic light and as you continue east the trail goes through the Target/Wegman's parking lot. The additional mileage is coming to the Chester Valley Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail. The route is a straight shot across the landscape, except for turns to accommodate busy road crossings. Routes 30 and 202 through central Chester County from West Whiteland Township east into Montgomery County. Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown . Nice clean trail. To get from Clover Mill Road to Boot Road, and then down 322 to where the existing trail begins, there is a massive hilly area. WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyones stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. It's not congested like the Schuylkill River Trail. The trail is paved the entire way and crosses several busy roads, but each intersection is clearly marked and passable. The installation of the new bridge over Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township for the Chester Valley Trail. It really contributes to the quality of life for our residents, whether its in the form of recreation or as a commuting resource, said Bill Hartman, the countys trails and open space planning manager. I find it to be a valuable addition to our time as a family. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! There is lots of green space on both sides of the trail so that most of the time you don't realize that you are in the middle of quite a built-up area. Flat and paved is always a welcome reprieve from crushed stone or otherwise. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. The completed $20.2 million trail will be 22 miles long. I can see it used for recreation and basic transportation. Beaver Creek Trail. The trail is well used by walkers and bikers on weekdays but there was not so much traffic to make it feel crowded. (NJ drivers are less likely to stop than PA drivers.) I was pleasantly surprised the first time I road this trail. There are several street crossings but they have pedestrian blinking lights and the crossings are well marked so I felt safe crossing with my boys. It will link the existing 14.5-mile portion of the Chester Valley Trail to the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. I spent an hour trying to get to it off of ship road and route 30. What is the Chester Valley Trail Extension? Fabulous ride not at all marred by the multiple road crossings. The Chester Valley Trail now stretches 13.5 miles in Chester County, from the Montgomery County border and running through Tredyffrin, East Whiteland, and West Whiteland townships. Completed in 2010, this segment is already very popular with cyclists, in-line skaters, hikers, joggers, dogwalkers and parents pushing young children in strollers. Crossing the river via a protected pedestrian/bike lane on theNorristown Dam Bridge, theChester Valley Trail winds throughBridgeport and passes an old inn named for Frederick the Great. Philadelphia trail linking Schuylkill and Delaware rivers closer to taking shape. The Chester County Planning Commission has officially unveiled a recommended route for the Exton-to-Downingtown extension of the Chester Valley Trail. I don't know? There were a couple of maintenance stations along the way. (Though part of that was a headwind.) 0 Can't rate this trail until its finished but have high hopes for it. Used it for the first time last week. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. It will offer access to Philadelphia and the western parts of Montgomery County. That said, my husband and I have greatly enjoyed biking from Paoli to Exton with our 3 year old. Find more trail information and detailed trail maps on TrailLink.com. :). These trails are flat and family friendly and often have a shoulder for running or stepping off the trail. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. The only real problem is the many many crossings. Well maintained, plenty of benches to sit and have a drink. We biked northeastward to the end of the trail along King of Prussia Blvd and returned to the Exton Trailhead and continued to the southwest end of the trail. At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. In the less congested western end, the trail utilizes short tunnels to cross US 202 and Swedesford Road.Theres no lack of fast food and restaurants in the retail centers along the eastern segment. Does anyone know for sure how exactly they're going to connect where the trail currently ends (at Walmart basically, in Exton), to the existing Downingtown Trail that runs along 322? The trail is used for commuting, exercise, and recreation by a variety of users including, walkers, joggers, cyclists, and inline skaters. But once you get some distance from 202 it is a downright nice ride. I parked at the lot off of Route 30 by the soccer fields. On the plus side, if you take your shopping cart with you, it passes by Wegmans, Target, Walmart and every other big box store along its way, with convenient access to all their parking lots. I drove up from Wilmington De and it was close to a waste of time and effort. The bulk of this section parallels Commerce Drive from Iron Lake Blvd. Hours of operation are from 1/2 before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset. This took me out to the parking lot by Wegman's. Love it if could connect to VF park trail, but overall a great trail whether biking, running or taking the dog for a walk. It has already completed a feasibility study for one section. The easternmost segment, in Montgomery County, extends from Warner Road east across the Schuylkill Expressway to South Gulph Road, and was built during a major highway reconstruction project. The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester Countys Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery Countys Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. A great 14 mile trail that you can make longer or shorter to suit your needs. I know other reviews have mentioned the lack of signage and I think this has improved. The recommended alignment connects the existing CVT to the inactive Philadelphia and Thorndale (P+T) line, which runs parallel to but separate from the SEPTA/Amtrak main line for 7.4 miles. 100 is chaotic! The scenery varies greatly, from woodsy tree tunnels to office parks and residential. The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) completed the Chester Valley Trail Extension Study (CVTE) which investigated alternatives and determined a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) from its current terminus in Exton into the Borough of Downingtown. endobj 3164 0 obj >/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[85A11EC3E497704D9DBE9723DD859F08>]/Index[3150 26]/Info 3149 0 R/Length 79/Prev 22770029/Root 3151 0 R/Size 3176/Type/XRef/W . It is estimated that there are over 85,000 jobs and 58,000 residents, as well as professional buildings, corporate centers and shopping malls along the trail in West Whiteland, East Whiteland, and Tredyffrin Townships. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. Upper Dublin is taking the lead on designing and funding its section of the trail just over 4 miles from Pennsylvania Avenue up to Welsh Road. Chester Valley Trail. 4.5 is a more appropriate rating. This extension connects the Chester Valley Trail with the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. This proposed segment of the Chester Valley Trail would connect the currently planned terminus in Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail in Lancaster County. Pursue grant funding for design, right-of-way, and construction of the Chester Valley Trail Extension. By Mark Hostutler. First of all, we had a late winter snow storm and this trail was cleared quite quickly and very well. west to the Exton Wal-Mart. Montgomery Countys fully accessible 5-mile portion of the Chester Valley Trail now links the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown to the existing segment in Chester County that extends 14.5 miles west from Tredyffrin Township to Exton. A popular well kept asphalt trail of 14 miles. At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. In the 3.1 miles out, I crossed 4 roads. The trail will be constructed to be 10-12 feet wide with an asphalt or concrete surface. bp 2 chester valley trail extension to downingtown multi-use trail x x x x x x bp 3 chester valley trail: exton to oaklands multi-use trail x x x bp 4 enola low grade extension multi-use trail x x x bp 5 struble trail extension x x x bp 6 chester valley trail west multi-use trail x x x bp 7 paoli pike trail: airport rd to line rd multi-use . The new Chester Valley Trail extension and the Cross County Trail are pieces of the Circuit Trails Coalitions plans aimed to connect Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs, and parts of New Jersey and Delaware, with 500 miles of trails by 2025. There are several stores to stop at for a break. On top of that, truck traffic is extremely heavy and frequently blocks the intersection. (Courtesy Montgomery County). It mostly was funded with federal dollars through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ); Montgomery County spent about $1.97 million of its own capital funds. Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites, Chester County's Exton Park Site - 132 Church Farm Lane, Exton, Battle of the Clouds Park - 125 N Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, East Whiteland Municipal Building - 209 Conestoga Rd, Malvern, West Whiteland Municipal Building - 101 E Commerce Drive, Exton, Battery powered wheel chairs by persons with disabilities, Strollers, including those connected to bicycles, Equestrian use, including horseback riding or carriage use, Motorized vehicles, including motor vehicles (excluding authorized vehicles). The Chester Valley Trail is a multi-use, rail-to-trail facility that roughly follows U.S. The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan. I'm basing my rating on comparison to other trails I've ridden. 29 near Wegmans is not as obnoxious as the rt. It's mostly flat, though, heading back West was a BIT more difficult than the ride East. Each of these municipalities is represented on a project Steering Committee along with representatives from other County departments and local stakeholders. The grounds are immaculate! Chester Valley Trail - Montgomery County Parks, Trails, & Historic Sites, Chester Valley Trail - Chester County Parks & Recreation. This trail is such a tease, because once it is fully finished it will be a great ride. I saw a lot of different types of bikes, recumbents, rollerblades, runners! Wide and clean, this trail is well suited for recreational riders. This trail dose have some potential, I have no idea how is managing it. Weve ridden short distances on this trail toward King of Prussia ( ride to K of P Town Center and eat outside at one of the many restaurants) but last week was Our first excursion towards Exton. The new 3.9 miles will run through Upper Merion Township and Bridgeport Borough to Norristown, where it will then connect with the Schuylkill River Trail. Duane Morris investigation into Central Bucks finds no discrimination against LGBTQ students, Shapiro signs first bill, expands Pa. health insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings, 3 unions at Rutgers University have reached tentative agreements. I really love the trail and live close to Wayne. Highlight was on the east end there is a Wegmans Super Store just off the trail. The third required me to navigate a high traffic intersection. Bidding and construction will most likely start sometime this year.
