East Coast Greenway Alliance

Trails and greenways do more than just connect places—they connect people! Living near a trail can foster unexpected friendships, support mental well-being and provide a much-needed escape. Hear from East Coast Greenway Advisory Board member Devin Cowens on how trails have been a game-changer in her daily life!

This Women’s History Month, we proudly celebrate the incredible contributions of East Coast Greenway Alliance Co-Founder and first Executive Director, Karen Votava! Karen’s leadership helped lay the foundation for the transformative East Coast Greenway, and in 1999, she stood alongside U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater (pictured) as the Greenway was designated one of 16 National Millennium Trails. This milestone took place at the second International Trails and Greenways Conference, organized by our longtime partners at Rails to Trails Conservancy. "Transportation is about more than asphalt, concrete and steel, it's about people," said Secretary Slater. "The National Millennium Trails connect our nation's landscape, heritage and culture and demonstrate our national commitment to improving the quality of life for all Americans." We’re grateful for Karen’s vision and dedication in shaping a more connected future for us all.

Great to see Wilmington, Delaware's iconic segment of the East Coast Greenway recognized as one of the top experiences in The First State by U.S. News & World Report! Mid-Atlantic Manager Daniel Paschall is fortunate to collaborate with outstanding local partners in Delaware. "Riverfront Wilmington pops with energy. At the revitalized area along the Christina River in Wilmington, travelers can enjoy bars and restaurants, see a play staged at the Delaware Theatre Company, or watch a Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game at Frawley Stadium. For more things to do, consider strolling or biking the 1.3-mile Riverwalk, playing mini-golf, and exploring the Delaware Children's Museum. You can pedal the path by renting bicycles at two Fin rental stations along the Riverfront. The Riverfront is easily accessed from Wilmington's Amtrak station. A few blocks away sits the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. From there, the Riverwalk stretches to the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge and the DuPont Environmental Education Center. As part of creating the Riverfront, Wilmington reclaimed the 212-acre freshwater marsh. At the urban refuge, you can once again spot bald eagles, wood ducks, river otters and other critters." Full story linked in the comments below!

Big news for Jacksonville! The proposed Core-2-Coast Trail is set to transform regional connectivity, making it easier than ever for people to walk and bike across the area. This exciting project will link the Emerald Trail and surrounding neighborhoods directly to the East Coast Greenway—a 3,000-mile route spanning from Maine to Florida! This is a huge step forward for safer active transportation in Jacksonville and Duval County. Check out the links in the comments to learn more!

"These are trying times. While I’ve marveled at the giant scissors used to celebrate the opening of numerous new sections of the East Coast Greenway over the past decade, I’m now dismayed by the metaphorical scissors cutting vital, common-sense investments that enhance safety, strengthen communities and promote cleaner air and water. "Thanks to our work together over the past 30 years, 65% of the East Coast Greenway is either complete or in an advanced stage of development. However, future East Coast Greenway progress – even federal dollars awarded to projects over the past four years – is at risk. "We need your help to protect the East Coast Greenway." Check out the link in the comments for insights from our Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano and discover how you can support and strengthen the Greenway!

The East Coast Greenway team is in D.C. for #BikeSummit25! Looking forward to engaging with partners from Maine to Florida—and beyond—as we work together to advance safe, connected trails. Who else is here? Let’s connect! 

Exciting progress for safer, more connected streets in our hometown of Durham, North Carolina! The City of Durham is planning to add bike lanes and traffic-calming features along three key corridors in and around downtown. These improvements will enhance safety and connectivity to the East Coast Greenway and the American Tobacco Trail, benefiting commuters, recreational cyclists and the broader community. Public input is essential to making this project a success! If you're in the area, consider attending an upcoming open house later this month to share your insights and help shape a more bike-friendly Durham. 📌 Details in the comments!

The East Coast Greenway Alliance is seeking proposals from experienced website design and development firms for a comprehensive redesign of greenway.org! As we work to develop a 3,000-mile multi-use trail from Maine to Florida, we want our website to better reflect our mission, enhance user experience and improve accessibility and functionality. Proposals due March 28. Know a firm that would be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post! Learn more at the link in the comments.

Big changes are coming to Spring Garden Street in Philly! Right now, biking along this 2.1-mile stretch can be a challenge—but by 2029, it will be a safer connector for cyclists, pedestrians and transit riders. “Cars are able to pick up a lot of speed between traffic lights, it’s not reassuring to have speeding cars flying by you,” said Daniel Paschall, the Mid-Atlantic Manager for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, in a recent interview with WHYY. Spring Garden is one of the few direct east-west routes in Philly, making it a key corridor for people getting around by bike, foot and transit. That’s why this project will be a transformational segment of the East Coast Greenway in Center City—helping to make safe and accessible transportation a reality. Check out the full story in the comments for updates from our partners at City of Philadelphia, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia!

New Jersey & New York Manager Sofia B. had the privilege of speaking Thursday, March 6, at the first meeting of New Jersey's Target Zero Commission, which has the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries in New Jersey by 2040. Sofia took the opportunity to share how trails like the East Coast Greenway are an integral part of any vision zero strategy. “The formation of the Target Zero Commission is a critical step toward a safer future for the people of New Jersey. We applaud the Vision Zero New Jersey Alliance and the leaders who have taken bold action to prioritize safety for everyone,” says Dennis Markatos-Soriano, Executive Director of the East Coast Greenway Alliance. “This effort aligns closely with our mission at the East Coast Greenway Alliance, which strives to develop safe and accessible routes for active transportation and recreation across the Garden State and beyond.”