East Coast Greenway Connecting Urban Centers, Train Stations and Greenways in Northern Delaware Delaware Trail Summit - February 25, 2010 On the Map: Regional & Long Distance Trails

What is the East Coast Greenway? Trail linking 25 major cities along the eastern seaboard An “Urban Appalachian Trail” 3,000 miles from Calais, ME to Key West, FL Grass-roots trail, made up of locally owned and managed trails

The Vision A shared-use URBAN trail system linking cities and towns along the Eastern Seaboard

How is the ECG being established? New trails being developed to close the gaps Current travel route = temporary on-road connections linking completed trail Linking local trails into a continuous route

Criteria Off road Firm surface –Easily navigated by a touring bicycle or a wheelchair –May be paved or a fine stone dust surface or other natural surface Publicly accessible 12 foot wide preferred, but flexibility is allowed in constrained locations Avoid steep grades and steps Avoid areas that are unpleasant or uninteresting in favor of route that is pleasant, varied and scenic

Partnership Federal, State, County and Local Agencies Grassroots trail organizations Private sector (e.g. design firms) Alliance partners with:

Role of the ECG Alliance Setting the vision Advocating for its development Promoting use Monitoring the trail for quality and safety

East Coast Greenway Delaware 1998: Delaware committee established –Refined preliminary Delaware route –Previously planned route bypassed DE –Committee made up of DelDOT, WILMAPCO, State Parks, Delaware Greenways, and Wilmington : Feasibility Plan for New Castle Co. and Cecil Co., MD developed

 Provide safe walking and biking connections to shopping, schools, jobs, transit, and recreation for the community  Showcase our region’s scenic, cultural and historic treasures to travelers  Develop spine connecting existing and planned greenways, bikeways and walkways Goals for the Feasibility Study included:

 Direct vs. scenic  Easier implementation vs. ideal routing  Maximizing existing facilities—maintenance of existing facilities  Local transportation benefit vs. tourism/recreation value  Challenging intersections Planning issues:

East Coast Greenway Linking towns and transit...

East Coast Greenway The Spine of New Castle County’s Greenway Network...

East Coast Greenway And connecting with Delaware’s Bike Routes

Implementing the Greenway Partnership with New Castle County to coordinated greenway construction with development Coordination with DelDOT roadway projects

Interim On- Road Route Close to permanent route with walking alternative Safe for cyclists with average skill

Designated trails Northern Delaware Greenway (8.5 miles)

Designated trails Wilmington Riverwalk (1.1 miles)

Designated trails New Castle Battery Park (1.1 miles)

Designated trails Newark Hall Trail/Route 72 (3.5 miles)

Next steps & future challenges Using $ from American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Filling in gaps—small and major Maintenance Continuing communication and connections with neighbors Signing route and promoting its use

Questions and Comments Heather Dunigan ext