DELAWARE GREENWAYS FALL NEWSLETTER
SAVE THE DATE for GOBBLE ON THE GREENWAY
Delaware Greenways Celebrating 30 Years
Mark your calendars... Saturday, November 23rd from 10am-2pm . In honor of our
30th year, we're holding a Gobble on the Greenway celebration! This family-friendly event will feature a 12 mile bike and 3 mile walk on the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail, food, beverages and activities. Stay tuned for more details!
NEW BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED
As we continue to roll-out the organization's strategic plan, two new board members have joined us in our mission to 'Connect Everyone to Where They Want to Go'.
Peter F. Townsend, MD, FACS and Emily V. Schmidt, CPA CFA , are now both lending their hands and sharing their knowledge with the organization's leadership. Both Peter and Emily are outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy a variety of activities. We are grateful to have them on our board!
GOVERNOR PRINTZ BOULEVARD UPDATE
WILMAPCO Begins Planning Study
Delaware Greenways (DGI) has long been working toward a trail connecting Claymont to Fox Point State Park and the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail , and now we are one step closer! The Wilmington Area Planning Council has begun a planning study of the Governor Printz Blvd corridor, the key component to this project. As a member of the Steering Committee, DGI will help guide the study. Read the Study Here
FUTURE TRAILS OF NORTHERN DELAWARE COALITION MEMBERS
The FTND Coalition Continues to Grow
The Town of Newport has joined the FTND Coalition's efforts in creating trails in Northern Delaware. The Mayor of Newport, Michael Spencer , believes that his hard-working town is the perfect place for a multi-modal transportation hub. He's "cautiously optimistic that the Newport River Trail could be completed in 5 years." Great to have this JAM Trail connector town on board!
ELM Properties is also lending their name and voice to the coalition. As a real estate brokerage, they know the value of pedestrian and bicycle pathways for homeowners across the state. We're glad to have their added expertise on what trail connections home sellers and buyers are seeking for recreation, work and business.
MILLCREEK NEIGHBORS FOR SAFER PATHWAYS
Delaware Greenways is also proud to welcome the Millcreek Neighbors for Safer Pathways , to our family. We are privileged to help this determined group formulate their advocacy plans, recently assisting with their presentation to WILMAPCO's Non-Motorized Working Group. Their ideas for safer pathways and neighborhood connections were well received, and our own trails and pathways maps now reflect their ideas. The group has also joined the Future Trail of Northern Delaware Coalition!
CITY OF WILMINGTON BIKE PLAN
"Moving Us Forward: A Plan for Biking in the City of Wilmington"
Delaware Greenways, Bike Wilmington, City of Wilmington, DelDOT, WILMAPCO , and other agencies have collaboratively developed a new bike plan for the City of Wilmington. The plan provides specific recommendations regarding the types of bike infrastructure to be installed in different parts of the City, and the prioritization of projects. Next, the city and committee members will work toward implementing the strategies outlined in the plan,helping to make the city safer for bikes.
RIVERWALK DETOUR TO MARKELL TRAILHEAD REMOVED
Now that the walkways and ramps adjacent to the new vehicular bridge over the Christina River are completed, the Riverwalk detour has been removed. If you haven't been out along the Christina or on the JAM Trail, we highly recommend it! This area of Wilmington continues to evolve in a wonderful way. The bridge, which will include a pedestrian lane, will open in 2020.
NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY DESIGNATION BILL PASSED
Nominations to Open Again Soon
The National Scenic Byways Program has been largely dormant since Congress pulled support for it in 2012. But now,  with the passage r ecently  of the  Reviving America’s Scenic Byways Act of 2019 ,  the United States Secretary of Transportation will start the application process for new byways in coming months and designate a round of new National Scenic Byways within one year.
NEW SIGNS FOR LOCAL BYWAYS
DelDOT is planning to erect new signs for the Brandywine Valley National Scenic , Delaware Bayshore and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byways . These signs will inform the many who travel these roads about their special designation. The exact schedule for the erection of the signs is not yet set, but the decisions have been made. We're anxious for these byways to receive better recognition.

Delaware Greenways, DelDOT and DNREC Fish & Wildlife have developed a plan for the Delaware Bayshore Byway Auto Tour Signage. The signage plan looks to direct users of the byway along Route 9 and other roadways of the byway, to help them discover the wonderful amenities that the Bayshore Region has to offer. This project is funded by DNREC Fish & Wildlife, who’s programs have a lasting positive impact along the Delaware Bayshore Byway.
HISTORIC LEWES BYWAY
New Road Master Plan Update
The Byway Committee, continues to work with The City of Lewes, Sussex County and DelDOT on their endorsements of the New Road Master Plan.
Composite Map Created
In support of work to implement the Kings Highway Gills Neck Road Master Plan , a composite map was created to capture existing and proposed future development along the corridor. 

BRANDYWINE VALLEY NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
Tree Trimming Along Kennett Pike

The BVNSB Partnership, the management Entity of the Byway and its lead organizations, Delaware Greenways and the Kennett Pike Association have reached an agreement with Delmarva Power on a protocol to better manage the trimming of trees near power lines.   A notification process for the community and the Byway Partnership has now been established, as well as the standards Delmarva utilizes in trimming were reconfirmed. We're grateful Bill Duncan, an arborist, and KPA Board of Directors member, has agreed to be the point person to work with Delmarva in the planning and implementation of future tree trimming.
Byways Protection Overlay District Update

New Castle County Department of Land Use has developed a draft ordinance to create a Scenic Viewshed Protection Overlay District for Brandywine Valley National Scenic and Red Clay Valley Scenic Byways , and the potential expansion to the other scenic byways and corridors in New Castle County.  This began as an advocacy project of both the BVNSB Partnership and the Red Cay Scenic Byway Alliance to develop design guidelines to protect the scenic and historic character of each byway.  At the October 13, 2019 Public Meeting on the proposed ordinance, both byways strongly supported the County as it moves the draft ordinance forward with County Council for adoption. Please watch for our messages and alerts about upcoming meetings. Your attendance is important in supporting this much needed protection for our Byways.
If you want to support these undertakings and others by Delaware Greenways in our Trails and Byways Programs, become a member , make a donation or volunteer your time. Your involvement matters to our success. We are grateful for your support!
DELAWARE GREENWAYS
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