The city Departments of Streets and Parks and Recreation, in partnership with SEPTA and Montgomery County, last week officially opened the city’s portion of the Fox Chase Lorimer Trail project with a ribbon-cutting event.
The project included the construction of a 0.45-mile shared-use walking and bicycling trail, ranging from 8 feet to 10 feet in width.
“We are proud to announce the completion of the Fox Chase Lorimer Trail project, which will add more recreational space and provide a connection for more residents in the Northeast to access the Pennypack Trail,” said Kristin Del Rossi, commissioner, Department of Streets.
The trail serves as an ADA-compliant off-road connection for pedestrians and cyclists to access the Pennypack Trail – which spans from Lorimer Park in Montgomery County to the mouth of Pennypack Creek on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. The approximately half-mile-long trail begins at the Rhawn Street and Elberon Avenue intersection (near SEPTA’s Fox Chase Station) and connects with the Pennypack Trail at the Philadelphia/Montgomery County line (near Blake Avenue).
Planning and construction of the trail were funded with federal grants.
In addition, the project included traffic signal upgrades along Rhawn Street, construction of ADA curb ramps and a sidewalk bump-out.
Others at the ceremony included Sue Buck, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Parks and Recreation; Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija; Fox Chase Civic Association president Kate Friend; Fox Chase Town Watch president Steve Phillips; representatives of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and Circuit Trails Coalition; and legislative candidates Aizaz Gill and Joe Picozzi.
Phillips said the Town Watch will adopt the trail portion to keep it safe, clean and free of graffiti. ••
