February 2021
DELAWARE GREENWAYS NEWSLETTER
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Delaware Bayshore Byway Website |
DGI continues to develop the Delaware Bayshore Byway website with anticipation of a Spring 2022 launch. We're excited to share this valuable resource highlighting the byway's 19 Discovery Zones, the many attractions along this National Scenic Byway, and we’re even providing drive itineraries! In the meantime, you can visit DGI's website to plan a Delaware Bayshore visit, and learn more about our project work along the byway.
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The Wilmington Loop connects many under-resourced communities in Wilmington with other areas of the city, schools, and the numerous scientific intuitions that surround the city. This loop, like the Atlanta BeltLine, connects city and county residents with new job opportunities across fields such as life sciences, banking, healthcare, corporate services, and hospitality.
Let’s use the current infrastructure investments to make the Phase I, the East Side Connector linking the Brandywine and the Christina a reality. Connecting the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail and the Jack A Markell Trail this projects benefits the historically isolated/underserved East Side, a transformational connector for our state’s largest city – improving access to cultural, educational, and business resources.
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Wilmington Loop Phase I - East Side Connector |
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The Wilmington Loop brings economic and public health benefits. It’s connecting underserved urban communities with access to healthy amenities and parks. It connects city residents with suburban jobs. Connects people of all backgrounds and neighborhoods. Connects Wilmington, Newport and New Castle. Transforming greater Wilmington and benefiting every community. Learn more about the project.
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South Wilmington Wetlands Park |
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The South Wilmington Wetlands Park is located in South Wilmington west of the Southbridge neighborhood, and is soon to have its official opening!
This collaborative project between DNREC, the City of Wilmington, and the Environmental Protection Agency aims to curb flooding in South Wilmington, while providing a beautiful boardwalk connection from S. Walnut St to Southbridge.
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One end of the park's boardwalk as it enters the wetlands. |
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The park is 17 acres of wetlands with a boardwalk trail running through the middle and provides opportunity for walking, cycling, wildlife viewing. Via the S Walnut St Sidepath and Margret Rose Henry Bridge, the South Wilmington Wetlands Park connects to the Wilmington Riverfront and the Jack A. Markell Trail. Official opening date being planned in the coming months. Stay tuned!
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In honor of Black History month, we’ll be sharing historic places along the Delaware Bayshore, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad and Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byways throughout the month on our social media channels. We started the month highlighting two churches that free black communities formed around.
Ebenezer Church, built in a forested, isolated area in Townsend, Delaware, is the only remaining building of a free black community that once existed in the area. At the Star African Methodist Church located in Dover, members are believed to have participated in the activities of the Underground Railroad. The church’s name was attributed to the symbol of the star as a guide for escaping slaves.
Discover more of this rich history through the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway story map, which includes locations on all three byways, HERE. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram, to see our upcoming posts.
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Historic Lewes Byway - New Road Shared Use Pathway
Design Changes Are Unsafe
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Map shows proposed designs on New Road SUP. Green line shows original design with one road crossing. Red line shows DelDOT's redesigned route with multiple road crossings. |
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The original proposed design for the shared-use path (SUP) planned as a part of the Canary Creek Bridge replacement project along New Road (one of six roads that make up the Historic Lewes Byway) has changed since the August 2021 public meeting.
DelDOT has redesigned the route of the pathway. The redesigned route now forces pedestrians and cyclists to cross New Road multiple times within a few hundred yards. We believe this design is unsafe and counter intuitive to the way bikers ride, impacting bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicle safety in the vicinity of the Park Rd/New Rd intersection.
The safety of everyone is compromised by this change, and the Byway Committee needs your help in communicating that message to DelDOT. The map in the attachment shows the original and proposed change we wish to reverse.
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Important Connection Opens in Newark |
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The Charles Emmerson Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge in Newark, named for a former Parks and Recreation Director, has opened! The new separated bridge provides a crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists over the White Clay Creek along Paper Mill Road.
This bridge opens up an important, safe connection between the Downtown Newark, Pomeroy Trail, and Olan Thomas Park toward Paper Mill Park, the Newark Reservoir, and neighborhoods north of the downtown area.
There was a planned ribbon cutting for the Emerson Bridge on January 4th, 2022, however due to inclement weather it was postponed. Planning efforts are being made by BikeNewark and the City of Newark to reschedule the ceremony. When it's back on the calendar, we're looking forward to participating. Hope you join us in celebrating another great community connector!
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Rendering: Whitman, Requardt & Associates |
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Photo Credit: Robert McBride |
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SAVE THE DATE!
Here are a few items you'll want to mark on your calendar!
Bancroft Mills Pedestrian Bridge Meeting
Study provides further direction on the bridge's future
DATE: Thursday, February 10th
TIME: 6pm - 7:30pm
DNREC will be presenting the findings from the recent study on the bridge.
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Wine Tasting for Trails and Byways
Benefiting Delaware Greenways
DATE: Thursday, April 7th
TIME: 5:30pm
LOCATION: Swigg Real Wine Craft Beer & Spirits, Independence Mall
We'll be providing more details, including where to purchase tickets, later this month.
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Juneteenth "Delaware Freedom Ride'"
2nd Annual Celebration Ride
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A deep, heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our recent Annual Giving campaign. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we rely on your donations to advance our mission. If you missed this fundraiser, and would like to support our work in this way, donate here, or mark your calendar for March 3rd-4th. We'll be participating in Do More 24 Delaware that day. It's a fantastic 24 hours of giving benefiting many Delaware non-profits!
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Delaware Greenways' Vision and Mission
Delaware Greenways works to bring its vision to life – a State where trails, pathways and scenic road corridors connect everyone to where they want to go, empowering them to live healthier lives as they discover and enjoy the outdoors.
We collaboratively develop and promote networks of trails, pathways and scenic road corridors that welcome all people and communities.
Connecting You to the Outdoors
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Follow Us On Social Media |
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