The partnership between nonprofits and local governments working on creating a continuous trail along the Schuylkill River that would run from Philadelphia to Frackville in Schuylkill County is getting closer to achieving its goal, writes Gabriela Martínez for the WHYY.

The trail network has been expanding since the 1980s and continues to make progress each year.

The development is led by Schuylkill River Greenways, which recently inaugurated the restored Schuylkill River Trail Auburn Bridge.

Currently, the Schuylkill River Trail has over 70 miles of trails, including around 30 miles between southeastern Philadelphia and Parker Ford, where it breaks off. The trail continues in Pottsville for another 20 miles until reaching Reading.

According to Tim Fenchel, deputy director of Schuylkill River Greenways, Montgomery County is currently working on closing the gap between Pottsville and Parker Ford. It is expected the project will be completed in around 12 months.

“Once that section is done, it will be one continuous trail from downtown Philadelphia, all the way to the city of Reading, which would be probably over 40 miles or so,” said Fenchel.

Read more about the Schuylkill River Trail in the WHYY.

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