The Schuylkill River Trail, which currently runs unobstructed from Philadelphia through Chester and Montgomery counties to Pottstown, is now just one mile away from completing its stretch to Reading, writes David Kostival for WFMZ 69 News.
The trail will eventually span 120 miles from Philadelphia to the river’s headwaters in Frackville. Currently, 80 miles are completed.
“At last year’s count, there were 80,000 trips of people who came through Chester County through to Montgomery County,” said Elaine Schaefer, executive director of Schuylkill River Greenways.
However, the trail users have to stop at the edge of Pottstown, “where there’s a big sign that says turn around, and they go back,” she added.
Within the next eight months, the one mile that separates the trail from reaching Reading should be completed.
“Trail traffic is going to increase dramatically when this happens,” said Schaefer.
However there are currently concerns about the possibility of federal funding being frozen, as the completion of the missing mile depends on it.
“We are federally funded, as we are part of the National Heritage Area System,” said Schaefer.
Read more about the Schuylkill River Trail at WFMZ 69 News.
