As organizations across America continue to build and improve access to places to run, walk and hike, the East Coast Greenway Alliance had another record-setting year with the completion of 18 safe, traffic-free segments, many creating key connections to existing trails, that were then officially designated as part of the Greenway route. Eleven states added at least one new segment in 2022, up from eight in 2021.
In addition, more than $200 million in public investment was committed to fund future Greenway expansion signifying continued momentum for the group’s transformational project.
The new additions to the East Coast Greenway in 2022, from north to south, include:
1. Brewer Riverwalk, Phase 3, Brewer, ME (0.2 miles): Following this latest extension, the scenic Brewer Riverwalk runs from South Main Street north to the Penobscot Bridge. The paved 0.8-mile trail follows the eastern bank of the Penobscot River and features cross-river views of Bangor, ME.
2. Cobbossee Trail, Gardiner, ME (0.3 miles): The first phase of the Cobbossee Trail provides a safe, off-road connection to the Kennebec River Rail Trail, which continues north to Augusta. Once complete, it also will provide a connection to the proposed Merrymeeting Trail.
3. Cobbossee Trail, Phase II, Gardiner, ME (0.1 miles): The second phase extends a 0.4-mile, off-road connection to the Kennebec River Rail Trail, which continues north to Augusta. Once complete, it also will provide a connection to the proposed Merrymeeting Trail.
4. Route 1 & Route 88 Intersection, Falmouth, ME (0.1 miles): New sidepaths at this high-traffic intersection have created a safer way for runners, bicyclists and pedestrians to navigate the intersection with traffic-separated facilities, designated striping and signage.
5. Eileen Dondero Foley Drive Side Path, Portsmouth, NH (0.3 miles): The newly constructed path is the first phase of the 17-mile New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway. This short segment will serve as the northern access point to the greenway, which will connect Portsmouth and Seabrook when complete.
6. Northern Strand Trail, Lynn and Saugus, MA (3.6 miles): Featuring scenic marshes, bridges and trail-user amenities, these newest additions to the rapidly developing East Coast Greenway route between Boston and the New Hampshire border are not to be missed.
7. Encore Boston Harborwalk, Everett, MA (0.5 miles): Located at the Encore Casino, this waterfront park provides a scenic view of the Mystic River and an important point of entry for the East Coast Greenway into Boston. This half-mile segment connects to existing paths along Boston Harbor and will be a key link to the proposed Mystic River Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge.
8. Cape Cod Rail Trail, Wellfleet, MA (0.8 miles): Now 25 miles in total, the Cape Cod Rail Trail links six coastal Massachusetts towns, as well as two state parks with campgrounds.
9. Mattapoisett Rail Trail, Mattapoisett, MA (0.7 miles): The trail is part of the envisioned 50-mile South Coast Bikeway, which aims to link Rhode Island to Cape Cod.
10. Bronx River Greenway - Starlight Park II, Bronx, NY (0.7 miles): This features two bridges and a 10- to 12-foot paved trail within Starlight Park. When complete, the Bronx River Greenway will be a 10-mile linear park through the heart of one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in New York City, connecting the Bronx and Manhattan via trail.
11. Rancocas Creek Greenway, Delran & Riverside, NJ (0.9 miles): Part of the Delaware River Heritage Trail (DRHT) and the East Coast Greenway’s complementary route in New Jersey, this new segment continues Burlington County’s momentum to develop its portion of the regional Circuit Trails network.
12. Cobbs Creek Connector Trail - Segment D, Philadelphia, PA (0.3 miles): This stretches from the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge to 84th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard in the Eastwick neighborhood.
13. Elkton Road Pathway, Newark, DE, to Cecil County, MD (1.6 miles): This 1.6-mile multi-use path brings the Greenway in Delaware to 70 percent complete, linking Newark, DE to just over the Maryland-Delaware state border.
14. Chatham Bridge, Fredericksburg and Stafford County, VA (0.2 miles): The 1100-foot Chatham Bridge was nominated for a national award and was recently rebuilt with a 10-foot wide separated bike lane added on the south side.
15. Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail, Suffolk, VA (1.6 miles): Currently 5.5 miles of the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail are complete with future plans to link the existing segments.
16. Gorman Street Connector, Raleigh, NC (0.4 miles): This short, yet important, section links Raleigh’s Reedy Creek Greenway and Rocky Branch Trail, as well as the Meredith College and North Carolina State University campuses.
17. St. Johns River-to-Sea-Loop West DeBary Connector, Debary, FL (2.9 miles): This connection makes it possible to run or ride from Titusville or Edgewater to DeLand’s Lake Beresford Park all on trail.
18. Indian Hills Recreation Area, Fort Pierce, FL (1.0 miles): When fully complete, this 26-mile segment of the SUN Trail system will allow access to pristine beaches, an active deep-water port, the historic downtown Fort Pierce and a state park in one of the fastest-growing areas of the country.
