Jack A. Markell Trail

The Jack A. Markell Trail completes a long-awaited connection between the city of Wilmington (including the Amtrak Station) and New Castle Battery Park.  That connection  consists of an off-road elevated boardwalk and paved pathways, the Wilmington Riverwalk, and one on-road section through Historic New Castle, totaling 7.9 miles.

Named after former Governor Jack A. Markell, the 5.5  mile “JAM” trail connects the Wilmington Riverfront with the City of New Castle.  The $26 million trail completed in September 2018 converted an abandoned freight rail line to a shared-use pedestrian and bicycle path. 

• Trail amenities continue to be enhanced along the route.  Interpretive kiosks, bike repair stations, bike racks and some benches exist.  During certain times of the year bike rentals are available at the DuPont Environmental Education Center.

• Trailhead access can be found in Wilmington at the DuPont Environmental Education Center (DEEC) within the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge. 

• The 212-acre freshwater tidal marsh refuge adjoins the Christina River and is home to wildlife such as American Bald Eagles, Wood Ducks, American Beavers, dragonflies, river otters, and Eastern Painted Turtles. 

• DEEC is open to the public and features a Visitor Center with panoramic river and marsh views, a 10-acre ornamental garden, and a quarter-mile handicap-accessible pond loop extending into the marsh.

• The trail continues west through the refuge along a 3,300-foot long elevated boardwalk, crosses the Christina on a 300-foot pedestrian and bicycle bridge, and continues on to Historic New Castle through forest, underpasses and a former rail corridor.

• The off-road pathway includes only two at-grade road crossings, and one on road section through Historic New Castle.

• At the Southern-most end of the trail, Historic New Castle awaits.

• Head North from DEEC along the Riverwalk, a pleasant promenade with great river views, access to the Children’s Museum, the Chase Center, condominiums, hotels and restaurants.

• 1.5 miles from the trailhead is Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park.  The park was named for Thomas Garrett who lived in Wilmington’s nearby Quaker Hill neighborhood, where slaves traveling the Underground Railroad often found refuge, and for fellow abolitionist Harriet Tubman.  A monument to Tubman and Garret can be found in the park.
• Adjacent to Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park is the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Train Station in honor of the 46^th President of the United States and proud Delawarean.  
• The trail also serves as  sections of Delaware’s portion of the East Coast Greenway and  September 11th National Memorial Trail, whose founding organizations are Future Trails of Northern Delaware Coalition members.