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Plans and Studies for |
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In 2018 Haverford Township completed a Darby Creek Trail Feasibility Study in 2018 for extending the existing Darby Creek Trail both northward to Haverford Reserve and southward to Upper Darby Township, about one mile in each direction. You can read the extension feasibility study
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In an effort covering multiple municipalities, the Forge to Refuge Trail Alliance spearheaded a feasibility study in 2015 to use the Radnor Trail as a starting point for a longer regional trail. The Forge to Refuge Trail would connect the Valley Forge National Historical Park and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, while also making connections with many other regional trails. This study focused on two particular segments: extending the Radnor Trail to the southeast, and coming north from the other end through Philadelphia, Upper Darby, Millbourne and Haverford Township. You can read this study
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Delaware County's newest study relating to trails is the Delaware County Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan, adopted by Delaware County Council in April, 2015. This plan features detailed improvement plans for the major county-owned parks, and it also puts forth a conceptual county greenway/trail network that is one level more local than "The Circuit" multi-county regional trail network. This study is posted on the Delaware County website: www.delcopa.gov/planning/pubs/delco2035/OpenSpaceandRecreationPlan.html |
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In 2009 Delaware County issued the Delaware County Bicycle Plan, prepared by its Planning Department. This plan sets forth a recommended prospective network of bicycling facilities throughout the county. You can read it on the county website: www.delcopa.gov/planning/pubs/BicyclePlan.html |
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The Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Southeastern Pennsylvania is a fascinating study conducted in 2010 for The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (the multi-state regional planning organization for the Greater Philadelphia area) and the GreenSpace Alliance by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Econsult Corporation and the Keystone Conservation Trust. The researchers conducted seven case studies, using various open space and trail locations in southeastern Pennsylvania, to determine various economic benefits of them. All but one had positive economic benefits, and the exception was determined to essentially be statistically a "wash." It found that the Radnor Trail raised home property values by $69,139 within a quarter-mile of the trail, compared to comparable Radnor Township homes farther than a quarter-mile from the trail. You can read the study on the DVRPC website: www.dvrpc.org/openspace/value/pdf/OpenSpaceReport-FirstEdition.pdf |