The Burlington County Commissioners have taken steps to expand the county’s regional trail network, approving contracts for feasibility studies and planning. The proposed projects include a 13-mile extension of the Delaware River Heritage Trail, which would pass through Florence, Burlington Township, Burlington City, Beverly, Edgewater Park and Delanco. Another project involves a 3.25-mile extension of the Kinkora Trail in Mansfield.
Contracts were approved with Taylor Design Group to conduct routing feasibility studies for both trails. These studies are necessary before any preliminary or final designs can be developed. Additionally, the Board awarded a $400,000 contract to NV5 for developing a countywide bicycle and pedestrian safety plan that will identify future trail opportunities and other transportation improvements.
“Burlington County is already a leader in creating trails and improving mobility and accessibility, and our Board is committed to moving forward with additional trail projects and improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and other users,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel. “These projects provide valuable outdoor recreation opportunities that benefit our residents’ health and wellbeing. They will also enhance safety and mobility across the county to ensure our community parks, downtowns, historic and cultural sites are accessible to all.”
Commissioner Randy Brolo emphasized the importance of infrastructure investments: “Good infrastructure is essential for everyone, and we’ve seen how trail projects improve community health, quality of life and economic growth,” he said. “We’re committed to extending the County network to ensure every corner of our county is accessible and that all residents can take advantage and benefit from our trail network.”
The Delaware River Heritage Trail currently covers just over eight miles from Bordentown south to Roebling Park in Florence. The planned extension would become its largest segment yet, connecting with several local trails including Florence’s 5th Street Trail, Burlington City’s Riverfront Promenade, Edgewater Park’s Park Link Tail between Wood Lane Park and Memorial Field, ending at Delanco River Line station where it meets the Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail.
The Kinkora Trail now runs 2.15 miles from Island Road in Mansfield to Mansfield Community Park in Columbus village. The study will consider extending it from this park into Hedding section where it connects with the Delaware River Heritage Trail through Florence, Mansfield and Bordentown.
Both new segments are expected to be off-road asphalt paths about 10 feet wide for walkers, runners, cyclists and wheelchairs.
Federal funding from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), which serves as the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for Burlington County as well as eight others in Greater Philadelphia region, supports both study contracts.
In addition to these efforts, DVRPC recently awarded $1.5 million in federal funds for constructing a 1.25-mile Smithville Park Connector trail from Historic Smithville Park—an area featuring forests, meadows, streams and wetlands according to official county information—to Woodcrest and Powell roads in Eastampton. This handicapped-accessible connector will link Smithville with Rancocas Valley Regional High School’s athletics complex off Millcreek Road as well as an Eastampton bike path; construction is set to begin in 2027.
Plans are also underway for a four-mile connector between Historic Smithville Park (located within New Jersey’s largest county by area at 827 square miles) and Pemberton Township’s Rail Trail path. The proposed route would include a safe crossing on Route 206 before joining the larger Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail envisioned along all 30 miles of Rancocas Creek.
For this connector project’s design phase—including engineering—the New Jersey Department of Transportation has granted $2.6 million; Michael Baker International was selected for preliminary engineering work.
Burlington County operates under a five-member Board of County Commissioners overseeing services across 40 political subdivisions, including three cities among others.
A study is also nearing completion on possible routes for another 50 miles of trails through central and southern parts of Burlington County such as Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Maple Shade, Evesham, Medford, Tabernacle and Shamong.
