By Adriana Camacho-Church
On September 26, Delaware Greenways will celebrate its 35th anniversary. It was born in the early 1990s when a group of residents in north Wilmington opposed the construction of a shopping mall at a local golf course.
To protect and preserve other green spaces, the residents formed a coalition of government and community groups to build and fund what would later become a network of trails throughout the state.
Since then, the statewide nonprofit has managed to build more than 65 miles of trails connecting communities, maintaining plant and animal life, and safeguarding cultural and historic resources.
“Research indicates that shared-use trails boost local economies by attracting tourism, increasing property values, and supporting local businesses. says Mary Roth, now in her ninth year as executive director at Delaware Greenways. “Trails and byways draw visitors who spend money on lodging, food, and services. They also promote healthier lifestyles, reducing healthcare costs by encouraging physical activity — our 6-mile Jack A. Markell Trail alone saves nearly $5 million annually in healthcare costs.”
“We’ve heard of so many stories from individuals about trails being the lifeline to recovery from both physical and mental challenges,” adds Terri Jones, Delaware Greenways marketing and outreach manager. “For others, trails are an exercise outlet to stay in shape, or a way to clear their mind of the everyday clutter that can weigh us all down.”
The trails are used for activities such as walking, biking, hiking, bird watching, and serve as access to creeks and rivers for fishing, and canoes and kayaks. The trails also lead to museums, playgrounds, businesses, and historical estates such as the Rockwood Mansion.
Jones, who joined the Delaware Greenways team seven and a half years ago, says that besides empowering people to live healthier lives, the trails expand employment opportunities, foster environmental stewardship, and invite the exploration of history and culture.
It Takes A Village
To build, improve and maintain the trails, the group relies on volunteers, partners, annual fundraising events, private donations, and funding from government, corporate, and various organizations.
The group has survived because of the commitment of dedicated volunteers and the strength of its partners, Roth says. “Delaware Greenways partners are the foundation of the group’s success and longevity.”
Partners include the First State Trails Coalition, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, and Nemours Children’s Health Systems.
Volunteers encompass the group’s board of directors, representatives of numerous organizations, and supporters who engage in trail planning initiatives.
“Without the committed efforts of our volunteers, Delaware Greenways would not be celebrating its 35th anniversary,” she says.
Trails that are part of Delaware Greenways legacy include: the Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail, James F. Hall Trail and the Battery Park Trail.
The Northern Delaware Greenway Trail was the first trail the organization constructed. The 10.4-mile trail links Bellevue State Park and Brandywine Park.
Completed in 2009, the scenic road is the oldest, longest trail in Delaware. It is part of the East Coast Greenway — a 3,000-mile pedestrian and bicycle route along the coast that extends from Maine to Florida. The trail is also Delaware’s section of the September 11th National Memorial Trail and was recognized by the National Recreation Trail program as one of the country’s highest-caliber trails.
Jones, who uses the trails for hiking, running, cycling and photography, says it’s hard to say which trail is her favorite because she has favorites for different activities, but the Jack A. Markell (JAM) Trail is pretty special.
“From my DGI (Delaware Greenways) perspective, I love that people of all ages and physical abilities can access it. For me as a trail user, traveling through the wildlife refuge at one end, and then a historic town at the other, also with beautiful water views, is a nice outing.”
What’s Next?
As for the future, Delaware Greenways is focused on creating more trail networks. And though most of the organization’s work is in New Castle and Sussex Counties, Greenway’s Delaware Bayshore Byway project will increase its activity in Kent County.
This fall, Greenways will begin work on a grant to expand and broaden the use of the Delaware eBayshore Byway, a National Scenic Byway featuring wildlife refuge, marshlands, and beaches.
The group will work with partners to develop a plan to promote non-motorized transportation along the Byway. The focus will be on pedestrian, bicycle, and paddling use as a means of commuting and recreation. In addition, visitor amenities will be installed in the historic byway towns of Milford and Bowers.
“An interconnected network of trails encourages long-term shifts away from car dependency, reducing vehicle numbers on the road and thus lowering carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions,” Roth says. “Walking and biking require no fossil fuels, conserving energy and improving public health.”
The Wilmington Loop is another proposed transformational public infrastructure project. The loop wraps around the city of Wilmington. The first phase of the Loop, the East Side Connector, also referred to as Riverwalk Extension, will connect Wilmington’s East Side neighborhoods with the Brandywine and Christina River trails, the Northern Delaware Greenway, and Jack A. Markell Trails.
“Beyond being just a bike or pedestrian pathway, the proposed Wilmington Loop would be a destination. A compelling, differentiated selling point for the entire state,” says Roth. “The trail will link thousands of people with great jobs, restaurants, and cultural attractions.”
— Delaware Greenways will celebrate its anniversary on Sept. 26 at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science in Wilmington from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The event will highlight the impact the organization has had on the lives of Delawareans and the state’s landscape. Expect live music, local food and drinks, and a silent auction. Visit DelawareGreenways.org/events.