Wilmington Loop Coalition
Date Posted: Thursday, July 6, 2023
The growing coalition of business, community and government leaders advocating for a continuous trail around and through the City of Wilmington heralded the announcement of federal funding for a new path that will connect the Town of Newport with the Jack A. Markell Trail in Wilmington.
The $23M grant to New Castle County enabling construction of an approximately 2-mile, ADA-accessible, shared-use trail from Newport to Wilmington makes possible the completion of a circular 16-mile path connecting jobs, schools, cultural institutions and state and national parks.
Advocates for the “Wilmington Loop” say plans for the Newport River Trail leaves a roughly 2.1-mile gap through the city’s East Side as a key critical link in completion of a transformational community thoroughfare for the state’s largest city and surrounding suburbs. This segment would connect the existing, hugely successful Brandywine and Christina River trails, creating a conduit for every neighborhood in and bordering the city to access resources and recreation safely and easily. (See red highlighted section in map on page 3 below and detailed Wilmington section map on page 4.)
“This is an exciting and important step in completion of the Loop,” said Scott Johnson, a businessman and leader of WiLCO – the Wilmington Loop Coalition. “A trail connecting East Side residents with the beauty, fun and practical value of the Brandywine and Christina trails is long overdue, and it is an essential missing link in a trail that will be a game changer for Delaware’s economy and quality of life, and we need to get it done.”
“The immense value of community trails here in Delaware and across the country – from an economic, environmental and public health standpoint – is clear, and we are delighted to see this funding for the Newport River Trail and thankful to our Congressional delegation, Gov. Carney and County Executive Meyer for their support,” said Mary Roth, executive director of Delaware Greenways. “We are looking forward to continuing to work with state and city leaders to make that critical connection a reality.”
“We often joke about how connected we all are and the limited degrees of separation in our city of 70,000 and state of one million,” said Logan S. Herring, Sr., CEO of the WRK Group. “However, these blurred lines come into focus as it pertains to access and opportunity, and I see these barriers clearly everyday working in Riverside and Northeast Wilmington – barriers to jobs, education, and community resources. By connecting the Wilmington Loop through the city, we can help make the promise of true community connectivity a reality.”
“The city is pleased to be part of a wonderful project being led by the Wilmington Loop Coalition,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “This initiative has picked up encouraging momentum and the city supports the effort to create numerous outdoor recreational opportunities to explore our great city as well as beautiful neighboring environs. Congratulations to all who see the tremendous value in the completion of the Loop.”
Read the entire Press Release, which includes referenced maps (also shown at right), further details on the Loop and the Coalition.
WiLCO Contacts:
Mary Roth, Delaware Greenways: mroth@delawaregreenways.org
Scott Johnson, WiLCO: sjohnson@jcomre.com
Michael Fleming, Delaware Bio: michael.fleming@delawarebio.org
The “JAM” Trail connects the Wilmington Riverfront and New Castle Battery Park, along an off-road pathway with an elevated boardwalk and paved pathways.
About Delaware Greenways:
We envision a State where trails, pathways and scenic corridors connect everyone to where they want to go, empowering them to live healthier lives as they discover and enjoy the outdoors.
