Neshaminy Greenway Trail Feasibility Study and Park Design

Since 2013, G&A has been working with the Bucks County Planning Commission to help identify potential multi-use trail routes and pedestrian connections along the Neshaminy Creek Greenway.

Influential factors that were identified and evaluated throughout the planning process include land ownership and easements, environmentally sensitive areas, stream and roadway crossings, and accessibility and construction cost. The overall pedestrian experience and connectivity to existing community resources and pedestrian facilities were also considered. The studies identified opportunities to integrate trail amenities including trailhead parking areas and canoe/kayak launch areas.

Ultimately, the Neshaminy Creek Greenway is envisioned to stretch over forty miles, connecting Chalfont to Bensalem, where it connects to the Schuylkill River Trail and the East Coast Greenway. The Neshaminy Creek Greenway trails are part of the regions Circuit Trail Network of more than 350 miles of trails.

Client
Bucks County Planning Commission

Location
Bucks County, PA

Market Segment

Parks & Recreation

Contact

Christopher Green, RLA, LEED AP<sup>®</sup>
Senior Landscape Architect

In 2014, G&A assisted the Bucks County Planning Commission with a Trail Feasibility Study for the northern stretch of the Neshaminy Creek Greenway, approximately sixteen miles in length, reaching from Twin Streams Park in Chalfont Borough, to the confluence of the Neshaminy and Little Neshaminy Creeks in Wrightstown Township. Since completion of the study, several segments have been constructed.

In 2019, G&A assisted the Bucks County Planning Commission with another Trail Feasibility Study for the central stretch of the Neshaminy Creek Greenway. The extent of the study was approximately thirteen miles in length, reaching from the confluence of the Neshaminy and Little Neshaminy Creeks in Rushland and ending at the confluence of the Neshaminy Creek and Core Creek in Middletown Township.

Part of the 800+ mile Circuit Trail Network in the Greater Philadelphia region, the Neshaminy Greenway Trail is a planned multi-use trail in Bucks County, spanning thirty-three miles, from Chalfont to Bensalem.  The Core Creek Park trail project is a piece of this trail, approximately nine-tenths of a mile in length, that will connect the existing trail network within Core Creek Park to an existing trail along Woodbourne Road. 

G&A assisted the County of Bucks in initial concept planning to secure construction funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program administered by DVRPC.  We provided final design and bid documents and assisted Bucks County Parks in successfully bidding and awarding this $2.9M recreational trail providing access from the adjacent neighborhoods to the existing park facilities and trails as well as opening up areas of the park and lake views that were previously inaccessible.

Design elements include accessible trail design, floating boardwalk bridge with fishing area, traffic signal and ADA crossing improvements at Woodbourne Road, erosion and sedimentation control, and stormwater management design.  Once completed, the trail will provide a scenic connection for pedestrians and cyclists between Core Creek Park and both residential and commercial areas within Middletown Township and beyond.

Construction began in the spring of 2025 and will extend into the summer of 2026.