New Castle County Receives $23Million Grant For Newport River Trail Project

With so much construction happening in and around our area, it leaves us wondering what's next on the docket. Recently, New Castle County received a $23million grant to support the Newport River Trail project.

The trail was proposed as part of New Castle County’s Connecting Communities Initiative. It will be a 2-mile paved trail that will serve as a key connection between the Town of Newport and the Jack A. Markell (JAM) Trail.

The trail will run along the north bank of the Christina River. It will start at South James Street extending to the JAM trail at the southwest corner of the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge.

The connection to the trail extends connectivity to the Wilmington Loop and to the multi-state East Coast Greenway trail system.

Currently, New Castle County's Public Works is in the final phase of the design of the trail.

The hopes of this project is that it will provide safety for bicyclists and pedestrians alike. The goal is also to improve the general quality
of life, mobility and community connectivity and economic competitiveness and opportunity.

With parts of Delaware becoming more appealing for tourism, the trail project is aiming to promote partnership, collaboration and innovation.

Comparatively, a similar grant was awarded to Orangeburg County in South Carolina.

Because we live and work in a heavily wooded and high traffic area, this trail should help provide an alternative route.

The funding recently received to help complete this project is part of a federal grant through the US Department of Transportation. The RAISE Grant was implemented by the Biden-Harris Administration.

Ultimately, grant is meant to support 162 Community-Led Infrastructure Projects.

Eventually, the pathway will improve the environment and provide different options for commuters. The hope is that this type of long-extended trail can reduce the dependence of motor vehicles. If successful, more folks will rely on commuting by bike by foot.

Basically, at the very least it provides a nice avenue for nature-seekers. Regardless, this is a great improvement for New Castle County.

Finally, $21,000,000 is being awarded to DelDOT. These funds will be for the construction of the final phase of an approximately 17-mile multi-use, off-alignment path. The path connects the Town of Georgetown to the City of Lewes. The final phase includes the installation of approximately 6 miles of a 10-foot to 12-foot-wide shared-use path along the railroad corridor.

If you're a new mother or father, or recently had a baby, you're probably wanting to get out of the house and get some fresh air. But you'll have to bring that stroller too! People on Reddit have been wondering, what are the best paths to take with a stroller for exercise? So we've compiled some of the stroller-friendly walking paths in Northern Delaware that are perfect for parents who enjoy exercising outdoors.

Bellevue State Park offers a walking and biking loop on gravel. The gravel is paved enough to allow your stroller to access it. As well as the gravel loop that's very large, there is a smaller loop around the main pond. Bellevue also has paved cement sections near the tennis courts and horse farm.

The Riverfront is great for walking and is super stroller friendly. The walkway is along the water which offers beautiful scenery as you stroll. The complete pathway is paved with smooth, level cement.

Within the Brandywine Town Center in Wilmington, just off of Naamans Road is a large pond with two fountains. Red Robin can be spotted, bordering the pond. Around this pond is a large paved loop fit for strollers and walkers.

There is also another paved loop near the Regal Movie Theater in Brandywine Town Center. Its directly opposite the movie theater and has a sidewalk loop. The path is just larger than a sidewalk.

Glasgow Park has a 2.6 mile paved loop which is excellent for strollers and walkers. Many people bring their dogs and play in the fields here.

Since the University of Delaware has so many students walking to class, it makes a great spot to spend some time walking with your stroller. The walkways are paved and very large to accommodate large volumes of crowds.

In Middletown, Levels Park has a paved loop that is very level and simple to walk.

Talley Day Park is located just off of Foulk Road in North Wilmington. The Brandywine Hundred Library is located within the same development. It offers many different paved trails and elevations fit for strollers.

Bechtel Park off of Naamans Road features a large paved loop and walkways for strollers. Some portions may be shared with vehicles,  so take caution at those parts.

Rockford Park is a great open space in Wilmington. Many dog walkers come here and play in the fields and walk the loop. You can't miss this park, as Rockford Tower stands tall within it.

Can-Do Park is home to many youth sports activities and has a trail that extends into both Bellevue State Park, as well as Alopocas.

Bonsall Park is right off of Silverside Road and frequents many walkers, bikers, sports players, and children. The walkways are paved and goes in a loop. Ample parking is available as well.

There may be geese, but the geese are friendly. Battery Park also offers scenic views of the Delaware River.

All the walkways here are paved. You can access the zoo from this as well as Alopocas.

Rockwood Mansion is a great place to take a stroller. Though there is a bit of harder elevation