Would you like to see a recreational trail and preserved greenway along the Fox Chase - Newtown SEPTA corridor in Bucks County, PA? This trail will provide a connection to an established rail to trail corridor in neighboring Montgomery County and the proposed Neshaminy Creek Trail in Bucks County.
A "shared-use" trail can be enjoyed by bicyclers, hikers, joggers, dog walkers, birders, nature enthusiasts, and more. Such trails have proven to be safe and valuable assets for local communities. Multi-use trails can be utilized by our future generations and create more appealing, healthy, and livable communities.
If you share the same values we do and would like to see a trail that benefits families, our local economy, health, community, and environment, please support rails to trails by taking action here.
Our trail can become a vital link for "The Circuit", which is a 750 mile trail network connecting the greater Philadelphia area. For more information on "The Circuit" contact The Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition and view the maps for Connect the Circuit.
For more information on the Pennypack Trail in Lorimer Park click here!
We encourage you to visit our neighboring Pennypack Trail in Lorimer Park located in Montgomery County for a tremendous example of what a completed rails to trails project could look like in our community.
Rails-to-Trails discussed in Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan Update
"Train service was terminated in January 1983, primarily due to lower ridership and cost considerations. SEPTA has removed the Newtown Line Improvement project and projected funding from the Fiscal Years 2009-2020 Capital Program and Comprehensive Plan. Further, SEPTA has suggested that the Township make use of the rail right-of-way for a “Rails-to Trails” project tailoring an agreement with SEPTA patterned after a similar agreement with Montgomery County for the same purpose. There are currently several Regional Rail stations that provide an alternative transportation option for Township residents located within three (3) miles of the township" (Upper Southampton Township 2010, 7-6)*.
Trails along this line are included as a general recommendation in the Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan Update
"Develop a Township-wide pedestrian and bicycle master plan to determine roadways and location to enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities, including walkways and closing of gaps in sidewalks along roadways used for that purpose. This may include the use of the SEPTA R8 Line’s unused corridor for biking and walking, as also recommended in the 2007 Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan from Tamanend Park to the Township Center area at Knowles Avenue and Second Street Pike" (Upper Southampton Township 2010, 7-12)*.
Rails to trails discussed in Northampton Township Open Space Plan Update
The plan suggests use of rail corridors as linkages within the township as well as surrounding municipalities.
"Ideal for many uses, such as bicycling, walking, inline skating, cross-country skiing, equestrian, and wheelchair use, rail-trails are extremely popular as recreation and transportation corridors. Strong partnerships between municipalities, counties, rails-to-trails groups, and rail operators (i.e., SEPTA) may be considered to pursue open space linkages along rail corridors" (Northampton Township 2009, 39).**
* Upper Southampton Township. (2010). Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan Update. Upper Southampton Township Planning Commission; Pennoni Associates, Inc.
** Northampton Township. (2009). Northampton Township Open Space Plan Update. Boucher & James, Inc.; Northampton Township Planning Commission.
Learn more about other rails to trails initiatives by visiting the Rails To Trails Conservancy website.
