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Brandywine Heritage Trail

The Brandywine Heritage Trail project completes an east-west paved trail from the end of the Brandywine Park at Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware to Brandywine Creek State Park and the First State National Historical Park that extends into Pennsylvania.

Length:       6 mi
Surface:      Mixed
Difficulty:   Easy

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View Trail Map
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View Trail Segments

The Brandywine Heritage Trail is creating a recreational and transportation path winding through public park lands and past historic landmarks, scenic vistas and cultural institutions highlighting Delaware’s economic and artistic history.

The trail will be a major addition to the growing trail network in Delaware, not only will the trail connect an underserved community in Wilmington to the impressive system of parks that Delaware has to offer, but the trail will also connect many of the historic districts in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. The historic value that has allowed Wilmington to flourish throughout its years of existence is evident along the banks of Brandywine Creek. Providing safe and enjoyable access is a priority to encourage recreation and non-motorized transportation as Delaware’s trail network continues to develop.

Where is the Trail?

Project Details

Park, Natural Land, and River Connections:

  • River to river connection with Brandywine Creek, Delaware River and Christina River
  • Brandywine Park to Alapocas Run State Park
  • Alapocas Run State Park to Rockford Park
  • Alapocas Run State Park to Brandywine Creek State Park and First State National Park
  • Connection to Northern Delaware Greenway Trail connecting Alapocas Run State Park, Rock Manor, Rockwood Park, Bringhurst Woods County Park, Bellevue State Park and Cauffiel Estate

Transportation and Community Connections:

  • Connects New Castle County suburbs to the City of Wilmington.
  • Links major business employment centers in the City of Wilmington making them accessible by non-motorized transportation from surrounding areas.
  • Provides families and individuals without cars safe access to multiple state, county, and city parks as well as the First State National Park.
  • The trail access will support downtown Wilmington as a destination center for restaurants, historic education, and outdoor activity.

Population Connections:

  • The Brandywine Heritage Trail connects areas of high population density in the City of Wilmington to the parks and natural lands throughout Northern New Castle County.
  • Additionally, the suburban areas of lower population density are connected to the City of Wilmington, allowing residents to travel to city parks without the use of a car.
  • Part of the vision of the Statewide’s Blueprint for a Bicycle-Friendly Delaware is that “Everyone in Delaware has front-door access to a bicycle network that is safe, comfortable, and conveniently connected to places people want to go.”

Historic District Connections:

  • The Brandywine Heritage Trail will connect many National Historic Districts and National Historic Register buildings to one another. Along Brandywine Creek there are numerous historic districts that would be more accessible because of the trail.
  • In the surrounding area approximately a five minute walk from the trail there are 10 historic districts in the City of Wilmington. Within these 10 historic districts, there are over 850 historic buildings lining the streets of downtown Wilmington.

Approximately 45,000 people live within just ½ mile of the trail according to 2010 census data. In comparison, New Castle County has a population of approximately 581,000. The creation of the Brandywine Heritage Trail will give over 7% of the population of New Castle County access to a growing trail network and greenspace - just a few minutes walk from their doorsteps.

Project Status

Progress

Trail Idea Accepted

Fundraising for Planning Study

Planning Study Complete

Project Fundraising

Project Design Complete

Construction Complete

The Brandywine Heritage Trail spans sections of both sides of Brandywine Creek and because of this, numerous private and public properties will be involved in the creation of the trail.

Currently, we look forward to a section of the trail getting underway in the vicinity of the DuPont Country Cub as soon as DelDOT can move the section funded by the redevelopers of the DuPont Country Club forward as a trail project.

Stakeholder Committee

A stakeholder committee is working with its governmental partners, evaluating strategies to move the trail project forward. 

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