Schuylkill River Trail

{{Short description|Multi-use trail in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}{{Infobox hiking trail | name = Schuylkill River Trail | embed = | cellstyle = | photo = File:Schuylkill River Trail 2018.jpg | photo_size = | photo_alt = | caption = The trail runs along the [[Schuylkill River]] in [[Philadelphia]], near the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] | title = | established = | began = | completed = | closed_date = | length = | location = {{unbulleted list|[[Philadelphia]]|[[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]]|[[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester County]]|[[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]]|[[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]]}} | designation = | trailheads = | use = [[Multi-use trail]] | elev_gain_and_loss = | elev_change =  | highest = | lowest = | grade = | difficulty = | season = All | months = | waymark = | sights = {{unbulleted list|[[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]|[[Fairmount Water Works]]|[[Valley Forge National Historical Park]]|[[French Creek State Park]]}} | hazards = | surface = {{unbulleted list|Paved|Crushed stone|Wooden boardwalk|On-road}} | ROW = | maintainer = {{unbulleted list|Schuylkill River Development Corp.|Montgomery County|Chester County|Schuylkill River Greenway Assn.}} | website = {{URL|https://schuylkillriver.org/schuylkill-river-trail/}} | map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=line}} | map_name = | map_caption = | map_size = | map_alt = | route = | route_state = }} The '''Schuylkill River Trail''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|k|uː|l|k|ɪ|l}} {{respell|SKOOL|kil}},<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140908043138/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/Schuylkill-River Oxford Dictionary: definition of Schuylkill River (American English)]</ref> {{IPAc-en|local|-|k|əl}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schuylkill|title=Definition of SCHUYLKILL|website=www.merriam-webster.com|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=April 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422191834/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schuylkill|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[multi-use trail]] along the banks of the [[Schuylkill River]] in southeastern [[Pennsylvania]], United States. Partially complete, the trail is ultimately planned to run about {{convert|120|mi}} from the river's headwaters in [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]] to [[Fort Mifflin]] in [[Philadelphia]].

Completed portions of the trail include a section from [[Auburn, Pennsylvania|Auburn]] to [[Hamburg, Pennsylvania|Hamburg]], a {{convert|19.5|mi|adj=on}} portion from [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] to [[Pottstown, Pennsylvania|Pottstown]], and a {{convert|23.2|mi|adj=on}} portion from [[Oaks, Pennsylvania|Oaks]] to where Christian Street would meet the Schuylkill River,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2023/march/03/pennsylvania-s-schuylkill-river-trail/ |title=Pennsylvania's Schuylkill River Trail | March 2023 Trail of the Month |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816054229/https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2023/march/03/pennsylvania-s-schuylkill-river-trail/ |url-status=live }}</ref> just South of [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City Philadelphia]] and East of [[University of Pennsylvania]].<ref name=map>{{cite web |url=http://www.schuylkillriver.org/trail_pages/first_map_paths.pdf |title=first_map_paths |access-date=2009-07-26 |archive-date=September 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908065408/http://www.schuylkillriver.org/trail_pages/first_map_paths.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Large stretches of the trail are [[Rail trail|rail trails]]. Parts of it belong to the [[East Coast Greenway]], a {{convert|3000|mi|km|adj=on}} trail system connecting Maine and Florida.

On many maps and street atlases, and on some of the trail's signage, the segment between Philadelphia and [[Valley Forge, Pennsylvania|Valley Forge]] is still identified by the older name ''Philadelphia–Valley Forge Trail''.<ref>{{cite book | author = ADC Map | author-link = ADC Map | title = Street Map Book, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania | edition = 16th | publisher = ADC Map | year = 2001 | location = Alexandria, VA, USA | pages = Map 35 (p. 39); Map 36 (p. 40) | isbn = 0-87530-083-9 }}</ref>

==Route description and history== ===Auburn to Pottstown=== [[File:Pottstown Riverfront Park, April 2016.jpg|thumb|Schuylkill River Trail at the Pottstown Riverfront Park]]

The Schuylkill River Trail begins at a trailhead at the Kernsville Dam in [[Auburn, Pennsylvania|Auburn]] just above [[Hamburg, Pennsylvania|Hamburg]].<ref name=map /> The trail runs through [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] to [[Pottstown, Pennsylvania|Pottstown]] until it reaches the Riverfront Park on College Drive near the [[Reading Railroad Pottstown Station]]. This section passes through the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, an area generally known for recreational fishing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/top-lists/top-spots-to-go-fishing-in-philadelphia/|title=Top Spots To Go Fishing In Philadelphia|access-date=April 3, 2016|archive-date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417180509/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/top-lists/top-spots-to-go-fishing-in-philadelphia/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In lower [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]], the trail follows the existing Thun Trail, named for industrialist Ferdinand Thun, who founded the Textile Machine Works in Reading in 1892 (later moved to the borough of Wyomissing, a suburb of Reading, in 1896).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=54102 |title=The Berkshire – Reading Eagle Newspaper |publisher=Readingeagle.com |access-date=2009-07-26 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807075214/http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=54102 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.berkshistory.org/berkshire/ |title=Historical Society of Berks County PA / Berkshire Knitting Mill |publisher=Berkshistory.org |date=1906-07-06 |access-date=2009-07-26 |archive-date=May 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510143842/http://www.berkshistory.org/berkshire/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Plans are underway for a connection from Reading, north to Hamburg. The current northern edge links the trail with the [[Union Canal (Pennsylvania)|Union Canal]] towpath.

The trail begins in North Reading, along Riverview Drive, then quickly crosses an old railroad bridge into West Reading. It then continues as a mixed-surface path of macadam, gravel, coarse stone, and chalk to Gibraltar where it becomes a poorly marked on-road bicycle route following Old River Road and Schuylkill Road to [[Birdsboro, Pennsylvania|Birdsboro]]. From there, the trail follows the old concrete industrial collector, Armorcast Road, to the rear entrance of a ballfield. The trail then goes off-road as a gravel path to the county line where it meets the paved Schuylkill River Trail, which currently terminates in Pottstown.

===Pottstown to Phoenixville / Mont Clare=== [[File:Schuylkill River Trail WB in Valley Forge National Historical Park.jpeg|thumb|right|Trail in Valley Forge National Historical Park]]

Two routes have been proposed for this stretch. One would come down the right bank (Chester County side) and end near Cromby Generating Station, above [[Phoenixville, Pennsylvania|Phoenixville]], then use borough streets and the [[Mont Clare Bridge]] ([[Pennsylvania Route 29|PA 29]]) to connect with the trail section along the Canal in Mont Clare. The other plan would bring the trail down the left bank to Mont Clare. It appears that both options may eventually be built, with the Chester County trail proceeding first and carrying the main SRT designation.

In April 2011, the [[Spring City, Pennsylvania|Spring City]]-to-Cromby segment opened on the Chester County side. This segment includes a new trailhead on Township Line Road, near the Cromby Power Plant.

Until 2020, there was a disconnect in the official SRT between Phoenixville and Mont Clare, although foot and bicycle traffic easily used the [[Mont Clare Bridge]] sidewalk to connect. In 2019-2020 the sidewalk was replaced with a 10 foot wide, barrier protected trail segment, officially closing the gap.

The stretch of trail from [[Mont Clare, Pennsylvania|Mont Clare]] to the [[Perkiomen Creek]] near [[Oaks, Pennsylvania|Oaks]] opened in the spring of 2008. In the first phase of construction the southern section of the trail between Longford Road at the present watered end of the Oakes Reach of the [[Schuylkill Canal]] and the Oaks intersection with the [[Perkiomen Trail]] was constructed. This section follows much of the filled portion of the Oakes Reach and is paved except for a gravel segment of about half a mile (which also includes a short trail detour). To cross the three streams in this section, two new culverts were constructed and the trail temporarily routed over a historical [[Aqueduct (bridge)|aqueduct]] from the Canal at Crossman's Run. A new bridge was built across Crossman's Run for the trail and the paving was completed.

[[File:Schuylkill Canal Oaks Viaduct, January 2008.jpg|thumb|The historic [[Schuylkill Canal]] aqueduct carries the trail over Crossman's Run near Oaks]]

For phase 1, the northern section, upstream of Longford Road, is signed along the low volume Port Providence Road and Walnut Street, which run along the left bank of the Canal, to reach Mont Clare. In a second phase of construction for the northern segment, the Canal [[towpath]] on the canal right bank will be refurbished, and a small bridge constructed over a spillway near [[Port Providence, Pennsylvania|Port Providence]]. On February 14, 2008, a meeting was held to announce the survey work for the Phase 2 extension. This would provide an off-road alternative between Longford Road and Mont Clare. It was expected that the towpath restoration itself would commence in the fall of 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trails.montcopa.org/trails/cwp/fileserver,Path,TRAILS/SchuylkillRiverTrail/Canal%20Towpath%20Restoration%20Project/CanalRestorationSummaryofMeetingMinutes27.pdf,assetguid,c3f48bf8-1e78-49d9-8fdb58d05538c5a3.pdf|title=Canal Towpath Restoration Project – Summary of Meeting Minutes – Design Phase Meeting #27 – May 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723135848/http://trails.montcopa.org/trails/cwp/fileserver,Path,TRAILS/SchuylkillRiverTrail/Canal%20Towpath%20Restoration%20Project/CanalRestorationSummaryofMeetingMinutes27.pdf,assetguid,c3f48bf8-1e78-49d9-8fdb58d05538c5a3.pdf|archive-date=23 July 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=22 May 2010}}</ref> but Montgomery County put the project on hold due to budget constraints. In early 2013, construction was started on the towpath portion of the trail with improvements to the [[Pennsylvania Route 29|Route 29]] underpass and construction of a new spillway and foot bridge opposite Port Providence.

The next segment of the trail begins in [[Oaks, Pennsylvania|Oaks]] at the southern end of the [[Perkiomen Trail]] and a trailhead at Pawlings Road. This paved segment runs along the abandoned trackbed of the former [[Schuylkill Branch]] of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]]. It runs beside [[U.S. Route 422]] for a short distance, then runs through [[Valley Forge National Historical Park]]. After leaving the park at [[Betzwood]], it continues along the river to Norristown, where it crosses over [[U.S. Route 202]] and runs through the middle of the [[Norristown Transportation Center]].

The trail continues eastwards, now parallel to the [[SEPTA]] [[Manayunk/Norristown Line|Manayunk/Norristown]] rail line. On entering [[Conshohocken, Pennsylvania|Conshohocken]], it passes through industrial areas, under [[Interstate 476]], and intersects the local [[Cross County Trail]].

Shortly after crossing into Philadelphia, trail traffic is briefly directed onto Nixon and Shawmont Streets, crossing the SEPTA Manayunk/Norristown Line's tracks at the decommissioned [[Shawmont station]].

The trail continues southeastward, unpaved, along the former [[Manayunk Canal Towpath]]<ref>[http://www.manayunkcanal.org/index.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622055334/http://www.manayunkcanal.org/index.htm|date=June 22, 2006}}</ref> of the [[Schuylkill Canal|Schuylkill Navigation System]], passing through the neighborhood of Manayunk to the end of the towpath at Lock Street. Trail traffic is then directed onto the street or sidewalks of Main Street and Ridge Avenue toward [[Fairmount Park]], where the trail meets the southern end of the [[Wissahickon Trail]]. Trail traffic continues on the road or sidewalk over the historic [[Ridge Avenue Bridge in Philadelphia|Ridge Avenue Bridge]] ([[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]]) crossing the [[Wissahickon Creek]], and turning right onto the paved multi-use trail beside Kelly Drive through east Fairmount Park.

The trail then winds along the east bank of the Schuylkill River through the park, first passing by the [[Falls Bridge]], then passing under many railroad and highway bridges, past several monuments and [[Laurel Hill Cemetery]]. It runs beside the [[Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial]] and [[Boathouse Row]] before following the Azalea Garden behind the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] and next to the [[Fairmount Water Works]]. After passing under the [[Spring Garden Street Bridge]] and [[West River Drive Bridge]], the trail runs along the riverbank on the west edge of [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]] as a waterfront park named Schuylkill Banks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/explore/faqs |title=Schuylkill Banks FAQs |website=schuylkillbanks.org |publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation |date=n.d. |access-date=December 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230232156/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/explore/faqs |archive-date=December 30, 2016}}</ref> At Locust Street, the trail splits: a bridge carries the trail over [[CSX Transportation|CSX]]-owned railroad tracks to terminate in [[Schuylkill River Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fsrp.org/ |title=Friends of Schuylkill River Park |publisher=Fsrp.org |date=n.d. |access-date=July 26, 2009 |archive-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301210141/http://www.fsrp.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A {{convert|2000|ft|m|abbr=on}} boardwalk, opened in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://6abc.com/society/philadelphia-cuts-ribbon-on-new-boardwalk/333776/|title=Philadelphia cuts ribbon on new boardwalk|access-date=October 11, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017000215/http://6abc.com/society/philadelphia-cuts-ribbon-on-new-boardwalk/333776/|url-status=live}}</ref> extends over the river and continues to [[South Street (Philadelphia)|South Street]], ending at the south side of the [[South Street Bridge (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)|South Street Bridge]].<ref name=srdcmap>{{cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/trail-map |title=Schuylkill Banks trail map |website=schuylkillbanks.org |publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation |date=n.d. |access-date=December 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230233523/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/trail-map |archive-date=December 30, 2016}}</ref> The bridge deck is reached by a ramp to the north side of the bridge or by a staircase with a bike trough up to the south side of the bridge.

On May 20, 2009, as one of its last acts, the Fairmount Park Commission approved the acquisition of {{convert|12|acre|m2}} of land along the Schuylkill River to extend the river trail.<ref>{{cite web|last=Von |first=Jane M. |url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20090521_Fairmount_Park_Commission_OKs_acquisition_of_Schuylkill_land_parcels.html |title=Fairmount Park Commission OKs acquisition of Schuylkill land parcels|Philadelphia Inquirer|05/21/2009 |publisher=Philly.com |date=n.d. |access-date=July 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527003028/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20090521_Fairmount_Park_Commission_OKs_acquisition_of_Schuylkill_land_parcels.html |archive-date=May 27, 2009 }}</ref> From South Street to Christian Street, the trail continues over land owned by [[Children's Hospital of Philadelphia]], which announced plans to host the trail in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 7, 2013|title=Schuylkill Avenue Master Plan|url=http://www.chop.edu/export/download/pdfs/articles/government-affairs/sckuylkill-ave-phase1-meeting.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329014807/http://www.chop.edu/export/download/pdfs/articles/government-affairs/sckuylkill-ave-phase1-meeting.pdf|archive-date=March 29, 2014|access-date=December 30, 2016|website=chop.edu|publisher=Children's Hospital of Philadelphia|page=1|quote=CHOP and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation have formalized an easement to extend the Schuylkill River Trail south of the South Street Bridge almost to Catherine Street...walkway to extend the Trail to Christian Street.}}</ref> In 2016, Philadelphia Councilman [[Kenyatta Johnson]] introduced legislation to acquire a small parcel of land from [[CSX Transportation]] so the trail's extension could be built.<ref>{{cite web |last=Saksa |first=Jim |date=February 16, 2016 |title=Councilman Johnson's bill clears path for Schuylkill River Trail extension to Christian Street |url=https://whyy.org/articles/councilman-johnson-s-bill-clears-path-for-schuylkill-river-trail-extension-to-christian-street/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=WHYY |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515201729/https://whyy.org/articles/councilman-johnson-s-bill-clears-path-for-schuylkill-river-trail-extension-to-christian-street/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The South to Christian section had opened by February 1, 2018,<ref>{{cite web |last=Romero |first=Melissa |date=February 1, 2018 |title=The South to Christian segment on the Schuylkill River Trail is open |url=https://philly.curbed.com/2018/2/1/16959110/schuylkill-river-trail-south-to-christian-open |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204005156/https://philly.curbed.com/2018/2/1/16959110/schuylkill-river-trail-south-to-christian-open |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 4, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Curbed Philly}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kopp |first=John |date=February 1, 2018 |title=New section of the Schuylkill River Trail now open |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/new-section-schuylkill-river-trail-now-open/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=PhillyVoice}}</ref> and was dedicated on April 20 of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/events/community-events/south-christian-dedication-ceremony|title=South to Christian Dedication Ceremony|date=n.d.|website=schuylkillbanks.org|publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511033019/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/events/community-events/south-christian-dedication-ceremony|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2018 |title=Extension of the Schuylkill trail dedicated |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2018/04/20/government-nonprofit-executives-celebrate.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Business Journal}}</ref>

The [[Christian to Crescent Trail Connector bridge]] forms part of the trail segment connecting Christian Street along the eastern bank of the river to the trail in Grays Ferry Crescent (a park along the [[Grays Ferry, Philadelphia|Grays Ferry]] river bend).<ref name="Fike">{{Cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/blog/capital-projects-update-4|title=Capital Projects Update|date=April 13, 2018|first=Lane B.|last=Fike|website=schuylkillbanks.org|publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511040046/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/blog/capital-projects-update-4|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Monroe x625">{{cite web |last=Monroe |first=Howard |date=October 9, 2024 |title=Philadelphia's Schuylkill River Trail is about to get longer and connect more of the city. Here's how. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/schuylkill-river-trail-expansion-philadelphia/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=CBS News |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326150631/https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/schuylkill-river-trail-expansion-philadelphia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The segment (including the [[cable-stayed bridge]]) was designed by AECOM, built by PKF-Mark III, and overseen by the Streets Department and PennDOT. It is owned by the City of Philadelphia and maintained by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and SRDC.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Sarah Clark |date=2023-05-26 |title=Big Progress on Christian to Crescent Trail Construction - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia |url=https://bicyclecoalition.org/big-progress-on-christian-to-crescent-trail-construction/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528055000/https://bicyclecoalition.org/big-progress-on-christian-to-crescent-trail-construction/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The $48 million project<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kummer |first=Frank |date=2025-05-15 |title=New $48M pedestrian bridge connects Schuylkill Banks in Center City to Grays Ferry |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/schuylkill-river-trail-bridge-grays-ferry-crescent-20250515.html |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Inquirer.com |language=en}}</ref> received one-quarter of its funds from the [[United States Department of Transportation|U.S. Department of Transportation]] in March 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last=Trinacria |first=Joe |date=March 6, 2018 |title=Schuylkill River Trail Receives $12M in Federal Funding for Completion |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/03/06/schuylkill-river-trail-completion/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine |archive-date=February 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215134124/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/03/06/schuylkill-river-trail-completion/? |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lu |first=Diana |date=March 7, 2018 |title=Philly gets $12 million to complete Schuylkill River Trail expansion |url=https://whyy.org/articles/philly-gets-12-million-to-complete-schuylkill-river-trail-expansion/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=WHYY |archive-date=July 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716062457/https://whyy.org/articles/philly-gets-12-million-to-complete-schuylkill-river-trail-expansion/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction began in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian to Crescent |url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/christian-crescent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511033103/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/christian-crescent |archive-date=May 11, 2018 |access-date=May 10, 2018 |website=schuylkillbanks.org |publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation |language=en}}</ref> and the bridge opened on May 17, 2025.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web | last=Gallagher | first=Bryanna | title=The Schuylkill River Trail has officially expanded | website=6abc Philadelphia | date=May 17, 2025 | url=https://6abc.com/post/schuylkill-river-trail-has-officially-expanded/16451028/ | access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>

A related project is converting an [[Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1|abandoned railway swing bridge]] to a pedestrian and cyclist swing bridge that will connect Grays Ferry Crescent to Bartram's Mile, a park on the west side of the Schuylkill River, north of [[Bartram's Garden]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/blog/conrail-donates-swing-bridge-schuylkill-crossing|title=Conrail Donates Swing Bridge for the Schuylkill Crossing|date=November 13, 2017|website=schuylkillbanks.org|publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511033248/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/blog/conrail-donates-swing-bridge-schuylkill-crossing|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/blog/bartrams-mile-open|title=Bartram's Mile is Open!|date=May 15, 2017|website=schuylkillbanks.org|publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation|access-date=May 11, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511041358/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/blog/bartrams-mile-open|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-21 |title=Schuylkill Crossing |url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216052110/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Schuylkill Banks |language=en}}</ref> The bridge is under construction south of the [[Gray's Ferry Bridge|Grays Ferry Bridge]], with funding from the city, state, and a [[Federal Highway Administration]] program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing|title=Schuylkill Crossing|date=n.d.|website=schuylkillbanks.org|publisher=Schuylkill River Development Corporation|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en|archive-date=February 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216052110/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing|url-status=live}}</ref> The opening of the new bridge, originally slated for 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing|title=Schuylkill Crossing|date=2016-07-21|website=Schuylkill Banks|language=en|access-date=2024-09-11|archive-date=February 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216052110/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Conde |first=Ximena |date=2023-06-26 |title=Why the completion of the Schuylkill River Crossing bridge has been delayed for years |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/schuylkill-river-crossing-bridge-southwest-grays-ferry-construction-20230626.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913021148/https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/schuylkill-river-crossing-bridge-southwest-grays-ferry-construction-20230626.html |url-status=live }}</ref>, has slipped to "winter 2025/2026".<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2016-07-21 |title=Schuylkill Crossing {{!}} Schuylkill Banks |url=https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223040741/https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/projects/schuylkill-crossing |archive-date=2025-12-23 |access-date=2025-12-23 |work=Schuylkill Banks |language=en}}</ref>

In early 2025, the U.S. government granted more than $13 million through the [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]] for two projects to extend the Schuylkill River Trail:<ref name="Read k928">{{cite web |last=Read |first=Zoë |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Philadelphia receives federal funding to expand Schuylkill River Trail |url=https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-receives-federal-funding-to-expand-schuylkill-river-trail/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=WHYY |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319145733/https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-receives-federal-funding-to-expand-schuylkill-river-trail/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Toussaint w674">{{cite web |last=Toussaint |first=Jensen |date=February 15, 2025 |title=Schuylkill River Trail to Receive Two Major Extensions Thanks to Federal Funding |url=https://philadelphia.today/2025/02/schuylkill-river-trail-extensions/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=PHILADELPHIA.Today |archive-date=February 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216165332/https://philadelphia.today/2025/02/schuylkill-river-trail-extensions/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kummer y237">{{cite web |last=Kummer |first=Frank |date=February 4, 2025 |title=$14 million project will connect the Schuylkill River Trail to Manayunk and Passyunk Ave. |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/schuylkill-river-trail-extension-manayunk-passyunk-20250204.html |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> $7.2 million for the Wissahickon Gateway Trail, a bridge and path measuring {{Convert|2000|ft}} to fill a gap near the [[Wissahickon Transportation Center]]; and $6.1 million to build the Passyunk Connection, a {{Convert|4500|ft|4=|adj=mid}} path to fill a gap in the trail between Bartram's and 61st Street.<ref name="Kummer y237" /> Also in early 2025, Schuylkill River Greenways released a mobile app to help people navigate the trail.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WFMZ-TV |date=2025-03-18 |title=New app offers users unique, guided experience along the Schuylkill River Trail |url=https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/new-app-offers-users-unique-guided-experience-along-the-schuylkill-river-trail/article_9af95b62-0421-11f0-a991-3303f8c0b1f3.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=WFMZ.com |language=en |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319012228/https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/new-app-offers-users-unique-guided-experience-along-the-schuylkill-river-trail/article_9af95b62-0421-11f0-a991-3303f8c0b1f3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History== Many current and proposed sections of the Schuylkill River Trail, including the Thun Trail and the [[Oaks, Pennsylvania|Oaks]] to Philadelphia portion, are [[rail trail]]s, following the right-of-way of the former [[Schuylkill Branch]] of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]]. Live [[overhead lines|catenary wires]] are still in place above the trail between [[Norristown, Pennsylvania|Norristown]] and Philadelphia. These are part of [[Amtrak's 25 Hz traction power system]], and supply power for both the [[Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line]] and [[Northeast Corridor]]. The Shawmont-to-[[Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Manayunk]] portion of the trail runs along the towpath of the historic [[Schuylkill Canal]] (Schuylkill Navigation System).

==See also== {{Portal|Philadelphia}} * [[List of crossings of the Schuylkill River]] * [[List of parks in Philadelphia]] * [[Fairmount Park]]

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commonscat}} *{{official|http://schuylkillrivertrail.com/}}

[[Category:Rail trails in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Philadelphia]] [[Category:Transportation in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Schuylkill River]] [[Category:Parks in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Berks County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Chester County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:East Fairmount Park]]