chester valley trail extension to downingtown

endstream endobj startxref I drove up from Wilmington De and it was close to a waste of time and effort. The trail descends much of the way from Exton Trailhead to the northeast end - King of Prussia Blvd. I have visited this trail more than any other trail in PA, NJ, DE, and MD. The Chester Valley Trail is currently 18.6 miles in length with 13.5 miles open for use in Chester County and 5.1 miles open to the east in Montgomery County. Officials plan to open the Chester Valley Trail extension this winter. Bidding and construction will most likely start sometime this year. Good track to work on your speed. 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. I look forward to learning how to connect, on the east end, to the Schuylkill River Trail that goes all the way to Center City (PHL). Can't wait for the expansions to be completed in the coming years and ride from Downingtown to Philadelphia. About the Trail Formed in 1850 by the Philadelphia and Reading Company, the Chester Valley Railroad stretched 22 miles between Bridgeport and Downingtown.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.Chester County is expecting to extend the . 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. It is primarily shady and completely flat which makes it perfect for long training runs. Overall, again, a NICE TRAIL! I can't wait for winter 2022 for extension to Sckuylkill river trail in Norristown. Note: we started at the King of Prussia end and rode to Exton, but the last mile or so of the trail was closed. I imagine some of this has to do with the newness of the trail. 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. Fortunately, this will likely change in the next few years, as major sections between Route 29 and Warner Road, and King of Prussia and Norristown, will close two of these gaps and create an unbroken trail from Ship Road to the Schuylkill River Trail. About 3 miles of the trail already exist starting at the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken and going up to Germantown Pike. There are several road crossings that require (and have) crossing controls. You will really enjoy this one! I can't imagine they like the trail that much as there was a lot of sand/dirt/brush washed up on the trail from the recent rains. Highlight was on the east end there is a Wegmans Super Store just off the trail. The rail-trail ends in another 2.4 miles after passing through the community of Exton. This feasibility study and master plan will pick up where the Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown study leaves off and will identify and evaluate potential routes for extending the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) westward across the county to connect with the future 29-mile multi-use Enola Low Grade rail trail . On our way out we encountered an injured raccoon in the middle of the trail that had been cleaned up on the way back. Separately, King of Prussia has committed to complete their 2 mile connector section by 2013 which will connect the Chester Valley Trail to the 50+ mile Schuykill River Trail system. Lots of shade & nice suburban neighborhoods to ride through. All Rights Reserved. This is a great trail for those that want to get in a good workout either running or biking without battling the hills of Chester County. 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. The project has been in the works for three years. It's not congested like the Schuylkill River Trail. These trails are flat and family friendly and often have a shoulder for running or stepping off the trail. Now on that note it is a fun smooth ride. The additional mileage is coming to the Chester Valley Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail. I use those for track type running workouts. He has a mountain bike. It was not tranquil especially during rush hour. I am looking forward to the completion! We were both very comfortable. Much of the trail has a nice canopy of trees. At the Exton Park, there is a detailed trail sign and also indications of future trails, including the proposed route to link with the Schuylkill River Trail from King of Prussia. Town Tours & Village Walks Program Wraps up 27th Year, Brownfield, Greyfield, & Infill Development. I did not cross Rt 29 (not necessary if only doing a 10 mileryou can run a little more near the parking lot in Exon to supplement the small shortage), but all other street crossings were simple and very well marked. Definitely more downhill slope going towards King of Prussia. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery Countys trail system, Hartman said. All in all, this is a great trail and I'll be doing this again. Good for casual riding. While the Chester Valley Trail West Study completed . Leaving Bridgeport, the route curves south and then west as it meanders through King of Prussia, a community named for a local Colonial-era inn built in 1719. It's mostly flat and straight, but there are some short hills on the few on-street segments. Cons - The scenery is less than ideal. However, when bikers traveling over 20mph on the trail choose to pass in the middle of the trail, where there is east and west bound congestion, the risk they create for collision is a serious threat to everyone. A great 14 mile trail that you can make longer or shorter to suit your needs. Is it still there? Looking forward to the extension towards Exton which looks. The road noise, mostly from 202, and the several crossings (Rt 100 could really benefit from a bridge) stop me from giving it 5 stars. In Exton, the crossing at Rt 100 is a mean 3-way dog-leg. (Courtesy of Montgomery County). 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. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. The trail is suppose to be 12 wide and it is in places but at most crossings it is a maze to get through especially when the traffic is heavy and a wide range of people from novices to experienced road bikers who are impatient with the rest of us. However, the fact that several major segments remain unbuilt, necessitating lengthy detours on busy roads, give the trail a low overall rating. You need to cross roads three times to reach the other side of 100. I think "they" should bring in a group of "test," first-time-on-the-trail riders, and, individually, have them see if they run into the same problems I did. The scenery varies greatly, from woodsy tree tunnels to office parks and residential. So I visited the trail for the first time today. The trail is paved from Morehall rd to N Ship rd except for about a mile. This can also be viewed as a negative as I was passing people and getting passed by cyclists. All other runs probably don't make sense here as I can get the same workout by going out my front door. On hot days, we can detour to Wegmans and grab a cold snack. What is the Chester Valley Trail Extension? The trail takes visitors over the Schuylkill River in Norristown and provides access to view the new fish ladder at the Norristown Dam as well as opportunities to visit various shops, restaurants, and art galleries along the way. Length: 2.5 miles. Youve got to build that basic infrastructure that provides the broad access that you can then tie into and connect, he said. It's harder going then coming back, but the street crossings are minimal and non invasive, the other riders/walkers are considerate and upbeat. For a few miles you are riding next to I-76 so you will hear traffic but it is not deafening. There are many well marked road crossings with gates and audible crossing signals. hbbd```b``+@$SdExA$40,8`q L|` l@Z ".D@1#cmT#30}0 Kn 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. This will likely change once future segments are finished. Heads up tho! 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 . A look into SEPTAs new transit systems proposed for the Philadelphia suburbs. The park commemorates a Revolutionary War attack in 1777 that was foiled by a horrific thunderstorm that drenched the soldiers gunpowder.Another 1.3 miles ahead is Exton Park, which covers 727 acres and features a pond, picnic sites, and trails. They're pretty easily managed. From that point, Montgomery County has built a link over the Schuylkill Expressway to South Gulph Road in Upper Merion. Second complaint - I rode east to around Mile 5.0, then turned around. I have an Electra Loft. Public Meeting #1: 'Introduction' was held October 8th, 2015 at the West Whiteland Township Building Main Meeting Room. Work on the Chester Valley Trail has been ongoing since 1991 when representatives from Montgomery County, Chester County, and PennDOT first envisioned it. I found it unsafe since many of the bike riders do not observe the 15mph speed limit that is clearly marked on the pavement and is appropriate for a multi-use trail. The first section is in design and will extend the trail from Exton Town Center to near . Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. We saw a park ranger marking trees for maintenance on our way, too. First, in Exton, the crossing at Rt. 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. Incoming traffic has the right of way and does not stop. 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 The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery County's trail system, Hartman said. 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. It's a pretty run, homes to look at, woods, hills parts are shaded, parts are not. A view of the Chester Valley Trail. It's a fine trail if you like to walk or run. More than 1/3 of the distance is directly adjacent to 202 and the road noise is very loud. 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. Fairly flat, and blacktop from start to finish, an easy ride even for beginners. Very smooth if you are on a road bike. The cost is estimated to be $1.5 million, which will be paid for using county bond funding, a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant, and a grant from Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Regional Trails Program/William Penn Foundation. Second, I love the quarter mile markers. View or download a copy of the Chester Valley Trail Extension Feasibility Study and Master Plan. But due to the many road crossings and that some of the trail is along major highways and that one is funneled to road crossings requiring sharp turns , I am giving this trail a 3 star rating. As compared to the Perkiomen or Schuylkill trails, CVT is like city riding. Great Job!! The trail is well kept and access to many restaurants if you like that. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. MAYBE it's me? Started in the car park at the western end and rode all the way to KoP. Overall nice trail to bike and be out of the house. Otherwise, the proximity to 202 and the numerous road crossings makes the trail feel choppy and you never really feel disconnected from suburbia. This includes the area known as "Battle of the Clouds," where an impending battle was cancelled due to torrential rains and dampened black powder, in the vicinity of Phoenixville Pike and Swedesford Road. Named for the late Robert G. Struble, a teacher, conservationist, county commissioner and Brandywine Valley . Also be aware that you get a lot of noise from the traffic on nearby Rt 202 - it was noticeable and sometimes unpleasant, even without my hearing aids. A popular well kept asphalt trail of 14 miles. Lose to opening. Once this occurs, the Chester Valley Trail will form part of the Schuylkill-Susquehanna Passage, a long-distance greenway that will connect Harrisburg and Philadelphia. It also seemed to be a very good trail for families and I noticed many out for a group bike ride. Chester County is actively working to extend the trail an additional five miles to the west into Downingtown with the first one mile leg currently under engineering review. The 10- to 12-foot-wide asphalt path, which is open daily, 8 amsunset, has a slight uphill grade from King of Prussia to Exton. Final Report. Nice trail. The trail will be constructed to be 10-12 feet wide with an asphalt or concrete surface. The trail is very enjoyable. 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. I have ridden the paved portion many times with my seven year old daughter and she has no problems making a round trip. I'm basing my rating on comparison to other trails I've ridden. Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! As mentioned in the other reviews this trail will become a significant part of the overall Philadelphia/SE PA region trail network in the future but the immediate "phase 2" expansion begins in April 2012 and will result in 15 miles paved from Exton to King of Prussia by 2013. if you don't mind backpacking, there are great green areas to stop along the way and have a snack. First of all, we had a late winter snow storm and this trail was cleared quite quickly and very well. A nice little bridge as well as a nice little tunnel, nice scenary along the way. Complete a comprehensive feasibility study for the Chester Valley Trail. . This unique corridor is a hidden gem that will provide for a safe and completely grade separated trail that will attract many users due to its scenic and historic quality and proximity to regional rail stations including Exton, Whitford, Downingtown, and Thorndale. Save for the small, unpaved section between Ship Road and the Valley Creek Corporate Center, each completed segment is user-friendly. As a woman who typically runs alone, it's worth noting that I felt quite safe here (I'm not particularly paranoid but in today's times safety is a consideration now). The Chester County Planning Commission has officially unveiled a recommended route for the Exton-to-Downingtown extension of the Chester Valley Trail. Portions of the trail are parallel to, or coincide with, 18th Century, Revolutionary War movements by Washington's Continental Army and British General Cornwallis' troops, after the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. All blacktop! I rode the entire 13.5 mile trail from King of Prussia to Exton. Join us at Chester Valley Trail West Public Meeting, Planning Commission Releases Final Plan for Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown, Download a full copy of the final report and watch a short summary video of the recommended improvements. Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. Please direct any questions or comments you may have to Brian Styche at bstyche@chesco.org. So the Chester Valley Trail was a site for sore (hamstrings) eyes! Yeah, there's a few road crossings, a couple of which are across 4-lanes, but, I'm not used to that, and it's one of those things that I can accept. East Branch Brandywine Trail Facts. Users will eventually be able to take the Cross County Trail to the Wissahickon Trail, Power Line Trail, Cresheim Trail, and the Schuylkill River Trail into Philadelphia. I know other reviews have mentioned the lack of signage and I think this has improved. I just moved up to PA from FL a few months ago and while I've been an avid runner for some time, frankly the Florida topography, at least on the East coast, doesn't do much by way of hill conditioning. The historic Reading Railroad is planning a comeback as Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority holds its first meeting. endstream endobj 502 0 obj <. 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. Very well maintained with good shade. 501 0 obj <> endobj The county saw 2 million path visitors in 2021, and more than 2.8 million users as of November 2022. I've definitely struggled a bit with the acclimation to some of the 'hillier' trails in PA/DA. The trail is generally constructed to a 10-12 width with 2 level shoulders on each side. 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 . Philadelphia trail linking Schuylkill and Delaware rivers closer to taking shape. Took several minutes (and several again on the way back). One was in a development and had no traffic. Activities: Biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading. Noise from 202 was blocked mostly by a wall. (Courtesy of Montgomery County). After some lunch - off to Exton where we reached the (dead) end of the trail! Park at either Exton Park or the trailhead off of S. Warner Rd, and you can get a 28 mile ride; the former has a restroom, while the later has a port-a-john. The trail is paved the entire way and crosses several busy roads, but each intersection is clearly marked and passable. There are lots of road crossings, and road noise from Route 202, but it was so pretty! On March 13th, 2023 a 3.8 mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail officially opened in Montgomery County. Chester Valley Trail - Montgomery County Parks, Trails, & Historic Sites, Chester Valley Trail - Chester County Parks & Recreation. @oiA'@!=pH0pb` 6^,n Love it if could connect to VF park trail, but overall a great trail whether biking, running or taking the dog for a walk. To cross Rt. 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. 0 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. Help is close by if you have any type of accident or need help. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I road this trail. . We take a break while he plays on the playground and then off we go, back towards home. We will go back after a few more trails to see if we still think the same. 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. The CVTE study is partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2). Fun outing overall. Only about 500 ft of total elevation after doing a down and back. Just rode this trail for the first time today - 4/2/16 - started in Exton - FIRST, the "BAD" - my complaints - I followed the directions posted here, but, when I got there, I had NO IDEA WHERE the trail WAS. Around the 8 mile point, the scenery is more open, with farms along the trail. Parking lot is large and new. 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. States: Pennsylvania. In all, we walk the dog, go for runs, ride our bikes, play on playgrounds and can even stop for a beerall while using one trail. An official website of the Chester County Government. The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan.We are very excited about the potential for developing this trail in the heart of central Chester County and expanding The Circuit, Greater Philadelphia's regional trail network. Is the plan to connect to that?? Pretty flat. A few road crossings but they are not too busy and safe. Chester County pedestrians and bicyclists will soon be able to spread out a little more. The trail section near Exton out to CFS has a lot of points where you cross traffic so be careful. The trail is well used by walkers and bikers on weekdays but there was not so much traffic to make it feel crowded. 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. Picked up the trail for an evening ride at Church Farm Lane which is the border between Exton Park and Valley Creek Corporate Center. Luckily, I saw a gentleman and his daughter unloading bikes and asked - well, it was STILL not the easiest to find! The Trestle Bridge may be renovated for . As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Counties: Chester. (Though part of that was a headwind.) The trail surface is paved in asphalt that is fully ADA accessible. The landscape opens up beyond here, with more farms and less congestion.While Valley Forge is located north of the trail, other historic locations of the Revolutionary War are closer by. (Courtesy of Montgomery County). Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Section from Wegmans out to Chesterbrook is pretty open and from Chesterbrook to end is also uninterrupted for the most part with crossing roads. We will have to wait for the politicians to get some good weather to pat themselves on the back about what a great job they did before the trail is officially open, but in the meantimeexcept for the extreme eastern edge east of Old Eagle School Road and the extreme western edge, west of the Church Farm School, the path is open and clear of snow and ice. Once complete this trail will connect Downingtown, Coatesville, Parkesburg, Atglen and points in between with the . The route is a straight shot across the landscape, except for turns to accommodate busy road crossings. The second phase will take the trail over US 30 and into Downingtown. SURE, it's EASY for someone who knows it already, which obviously includes those who designed it and put it together, and don't realize where the "fails" in the markings are, and NEXT time, and there WILL BE next TIMES, I'll know, but, again, there are places where it needs to be better marked. The completed $20.2 million trail will be 22 miles long. Though the trail is incomplete (the goal is to tie in with the Schuylkill River Trail) it runs through established neighborhoods as well as farm land along an old right of way that is more greenway than suburban. The Downingtown Trestle Bridge, built between 1903 & 1906, is 1451 feet long and 122 feet high over the Brandywine Creek. Primarily residential on one side and highway (202?) 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. The Chester Valley Trail Extension project is a 3.8-mile expansion of the Chester Valley Trail completed in March 2023. Friends of the Chester Valley Trail has a Facebook page for current information, photos and quick responses to questions. Flat trail,asphalt paved from Exton,Pa to rte 29 in Frazer. It is also a very wide trail with plenty of passing room. Pros - Relatively flat and straight. Trail is crowded with multiple users- bikes, jiggers, skateboarders, etc. At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. Would recommend to families, runners, walkers alike! The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. The Exton end is very flat while the King of Prussia end has a few not-too-difficult hills. The Chester Valley Trail is a multi-use, rail-to-trail facility that roughly follows U.S. But on this trap I had a great ride from the Malvern trail head. Along the trail are some new bridges one in Bridgeport over railroad tracks, one above South Gulph Road in King of Prussia, and one over Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township. Several of the crossings are by bridge or tunnel and some are on the street. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The location is home to one of the largest concentrations of employment and population in the Philadelphia region outside of Center City, and the trail provides a key connection of "The Circuit . The third required me to navigate a high traffic intersection. Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. Before we send you to , pleasesubscribe to our daily newsletter. The # of road crossings will bother some more than others, but they don't compare to the Barnegat Branch trail & northern section of the Henry Hudson trail near the NJ shore. We rode the entire length out and back on a 95 deg day. Completing this trail gap between two of the areas most significant Circuit Trails is a significant milestone in the regions trail development efforts. Well maintained, paved, with plenty of shade. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. west to the Exton Wal-Mart. Fabulous ride not at all marred by the multiple road crossings. the trail crossed a road. Hazards include dangerous road crossings and high speed road bikers. Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. Some are ok and easy, some are a lot more difficult. The Downingtown Center is centrally located in Chester County, about 10 miles from the Exton Center. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Will definitely be back. I quite literally DID NOT KNOW WHERE the trail was! Find more trail information and detailed trail maps on TrailLink.com. Bill Rettew traversed the particulars for the Daily Local News. It runs too close to major highways making it quite noisy in spots. Image via the Montgomery County Planning Commission. The entrance into the park near Church Farm School is not marked and the parking lot is not complete. I have a Mountain bike, but this trail is good for road bikes as well. Image via the Chester County Planning Commission. In the future, extensions to the trail will allow . Found it to be much easier to run on than the Valley Forge Freedom Trail since there were far less cyclists riding at high speeds. Park benches were pretty common, too. 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.

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