Explore the East Coast Greenway Through Brandywine Country One of the most interesting developments in Tourism in recent years is the growth of Outdoor-Sport Vacations. Millions of people now spend all or part of their vacation hiking and cycling along designated trails across the country. Bike Tour companies are thriving, media coverage of cycling, running and equestrian events continues to grow and there has been an explosion of magazines addressing the interests of people living active outdoor lifestyles that spill over into their vacation choices. It seems that people of all ages are skiing, canoeing, hiking and biking in record numbers. With the completion of the nation's first off-road trail from Maine to Florida, thousands of those people should be hiking and biking through Delaware County. Passing through Tinicum, Chester and Marcus Hook, Delaware County's portion of the route will contribute 15 miles to the overall 2950 mile-long East Coast Greenway. Launched 14 years ago, the East Coast Greenway (ECG) was designed to be an urban alternative to the highly popular Appalachian Trail. The ECG will be the nation's first long-distance, city-to-city, multi-modal transportation corridor for cyclists, hikers, and other non-motorized users. The goal is to connect existing and planned trails that are locally owned and managed to form a continuous, safe, green route -- easily identified by the public through signage, maps, user's guides, and common services. Officials with the ECG note that the route will be at least 80 percent off-road, using waterfront esplanades, park paths, abandoned railroads, canal towpaths, and parkway corridors. It will serve cyclists, hikers, skaters, equestrians, people in wheelchairs, and other non-motorized users. According to Delaware County Council Chairman, Andrew Reilly, "When finished, the ECG will positively impact each region it passes through - increasing transportation options, improving air quality, and reducing highway congestion." Reilly adds, "The ECG also encourages ecotourism, local economic development and could improve the mental and physical health of our residents via the outstanding recreational opportunities it will provide." Greater Philadelphia Region is a Top Cycling Destination Like the rest of America, outdoor sports like hiking and biking have grown in popularity throughout the region. Lance Armstrong has become a household name, and this summer the hopes of thousands, from Philly to Reading rose and fell along with the racing fortunes of local cyclist, Floyd Landis. Not every Delaware County bike enthusiast is a famous racer, but hundreds of local cyclists take to the roads in Chadds Ford, Concordville, Rose Tree, Media, Swarthmore and other suburban communities. When completed, the ECG will provide these cyclists with a magnificent local route that will meander along the riverfront, passing noteworthy historic sites and attractions. ECG Construction is 21% Complete The ECG is a grass-roots project made up of locally owned and managed trails, so decision making flows from the bottom up. Much of the proposed route is already in public ownership, so that costly and complicated acquisition is not needed. Because it will grow through the stitching together of locally owned and managed trail segments, implementation will be incremental and costs spread out to the many state and municipal agencies responsible for building their segments. Each local trail will retain its identity, with a distinct local name as it assumes the added title of East Coast Greenway. Signs will notify users that the trail is part of the ECG. Delaware County's portion of the ECG, a stretch of 15 miles, from Lester and Essington in Tinicum Township to Marcus Hook and the Delaware state line, is in various stages of completion, as it passes through each municipality. According to Justin Dula, senior planner at Delaware County's Planning Department, “We are committed to make our portion of the ECG a reality, and provide a regional amenity to our own residents as well as a national tourist attraction equivalent to the Appalachian Trail." "Compared to other sections of the route in Pennsylvania, DelCo is further along than most. But putting together Delaware County's portion, just like the entire ECG route - is a complicated undertaking," Dula adds. "It requires several municipalities in Delaware County to work in tandem, as a team. When you look at the big picture, the ECG is creating a network of trails that function much like an Interstate highway system - and once the ECG is built, the organization will likely work to connect it with other greenway routes from Canada, the central states and the south. "Unlike places in Bucks County and New Jersey which will be using already existing river tow paths, we are creating something new in a much more urban area," Dula explains. "Yet most of our municipal routes are in the midst of research and engineering plans, and all are nearing the construction phase." “The portion of the ECG planned for Delaware County will not only enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike, but it will also bring economic benefits to local communities along the trail route,” added Emily Linn, Program Director at Clean Air Council. “Multi-use trails are rapidly becoming a popular way for people to commute to and from work, especially when linked to public transportation hubs. Local businesses, such as restaurants and shops, can benefit from increased foot and bicycle traffic.” TINICUM: A detailed feasibility study was completed in October 2005 for the portion of the ECG that will travel through Tinicum Township. This trail segment will connect historic Fort Mifflin, just across the border in Philadelphia County, to Governor Printz Park in Essington. The proposed trail alignment will travel predominately off-road, along the Delaware River waterfront, adjacent to Hog Island Road and the Philadelphia International Airport. EDDYSTONE/RIDLEY: According to County Councilman, Jack Whelan, similar progress is being made in Eddystone and Ridley as they research the best, most feasible route for the ECG. Eddystone’s Renaissance Program includes an effort to reclaim a small portion of land, directly on the waterfront, to develop a small town park that might be on the final ECG route. Currently the entire waterfront is occupied by business and industry, but officials have approached several companies to discuss accessing a piece of property that could be utilized for a park – but any land agreement will require assurances that all public safety and traffic concerns would be addressed. TRAINER: Trainer Borough received a County Council Revitalization Grant for their portion of the ECG which will be all on-road. The money covers signs, banners, road painting and other requirements to make the route visible and safe for travelers. CHESTER CITY: There are 3 sections of the ECG in Chester City. The first portion encompasses part of the Riverwalk and Seaport Drive with the work being done as part of the whole Wharf at Rivertown renovation project. Then there is a section that goes from Seaport to Flower Street, and the final section goes west to Darby Creek and includes portions of Ridley and Eddystone. MARCUS HOOK: The route will follow Rt. 13 in Marcus Hook. A Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant covers research and construction, and the borough must do some engineering work to see what is and isn't feasible. According to Dula, "We were excited to learn that we have received two major grants to continue these projects: a DCNR grant and Coastal Zone Management Grant. These grants enable us to hire a consultant to complete the feasibility study so we can move into the construction phase as soon as possible." A Centerpiece for Tourism The ECG will enable tourists to travel for a few days or even weeks, enjoying the outdoors while visiting historic and cultural sites within each region. Most touring cyclists travel 30-75 miles a day, pausing at night to sleep, eat and explore the local area. Most lengthy trips include 'free days' - a planned layover before biking or hiking further along the trail. Delaware County's route is rich in national and regional history. According to Tore Fiore, Executive Director of the Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau, much can be done to lure hikers and cyclists to stay awhile in the county, enjoying local hotels, inns, restaurants and attractions. "Harrah's beautiful new track and casino in Chester is sure to tempt some riders and hikers to spend a free day ‘horsing’ around at the Harness Racing Track or to pedal a few pennies in the casino," Fiore notes. "Others will want to visit our famous historic sites such as William Penn Park and the Old Chester Courthouse." For the second time in their history, Delaware County's river towns from Tinicum to Marcus Hook could become strong recreational destinations - drawing people to their parks, marinas, restaurants and local sites. "We will develop a powerful marketing strategy to promote our portion of the ECG, with the goal of maximizing business and recreational tourism along our waterfront," Fiore adds. Because the ECG is a stitching together of shorter trails to form a longer continuous route, it is owned and managed by local bodies: state, county, and municipal agencies. Each local trail will retain its identity, with a distinct local name as it assumes the added title of East Coast Greenway. Signs will notify users that the trail is part of the ECG. Supporting the Greenway Individuals and businesses along the ECG can support the "urban Appalachian Trail" in a variety of ways including becoming a 'dues paying member' of the ECG - by sponsoring a mile along the trail (in any state of your choice!) - by purchasing ECG merchandise (including guidebooks) - or by making an outright contribution. All contributions provide operating funds which enable the Alliance to promote the project and support the efforts of the individual municipalities that make the biggest investment in developing the trail. To learn more about the East Coast Greenway, visit www.greenway.org. SIDEBAR: Vacation Cyclist, Herb Witmer, Shares Thoughts On ECG’s Impact on the Local Economy The Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau recently hosted a visit by Ann Witmer, a journalist writing a story about Brandywine Country for Small Market Meetings Magazine. During her visit, we learned that Ann’s husband, Herb, works for Bike Vermont, a tour company that plans and promotes cycling tours throughout the world. Herb was kind enough to share some of his thoughts on the impact that the East Coast Greenway might have on local tourism. To plan a cycling tour, check out www.bikevermont.com I not only promote cycling, I am an avid cyclist myself. And as a Pennsylvania resident, I am very familiar with and excited about the East Coast Greenway project. I have received several newsletter bulletins about its progress and will definitely be among the first cyclists to try it out. Cycling vacations are growing in popularity. I recently planned a 52-day, 3800 mile cross-country cycling vacation with ‘America by Bicycle’ that started in San Francisco and ended at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is the longest tour I’ve ever attempted, but like all tours – people build in ‘free days’ so that you can not only rest, but take in the historic sites and attractions that are nearby. Like most cyclists, half the fun is being outside, experiencing nature and seeing the beautiful countryside. The fact that you can have all that while doing an activity you love to do, is great. Cyclists plan their trips with an eye to selecting where they want to do ‘free days’ and what sites they want to see along the tour. Often we stop at small inns, hotels and B&B’s as we pass through various communities, not to mention nearby restaurants – so I suspect that those types of businesses along the ECG will do very well. When the East Coast Greenway is completed, it will draw cyclists from all over the country. But local cyclists will be excited, as well. There are never enough well marked, safe scenic trails for those of us who love this sport.