KOP: First Avenue Linear Park Gets $200,000 Grant

UPPER MERION — Colorful chairs and tables, flower gardens and a walking path along First Avenue in the King of Prussia business district brightens the day for employees, tourists and locals alike.

Construction of the 2.6-mile First Avenue Linear Park began in 2019 and is nearing completion.

Montgomery County commissioners recently awarded a $200,000 grant for phase three, the final phase, of the project, which has cost over $4 million.

The park begins at the intersection at the Valley Forge Casino at North Gulph Road and First Avenue and continues to Allendale Road, which connects to the King of Prussia Mall.

The park provides space for the estimated 20,000 employees in the area to unwind during the workday. Upper Merion is 17-square miles and has 33,613 residents.

The project is developed and managed by King of Prussia District in partnership with Upper Merion Township and nine commercial property owners.

• Phase one of the First Avenue Linear Park opened in December 2020. It features an 8-10 foot multi-use pathway connecting all properties, solar powered pedestrian lighting, comfortable seating areas and lush planting
• Phase two is underway and includes stormwater management improvements, installation of precast concrete boardwalk along Trout Creek, improved bus stop facilities, accessible curb ramps, trash receptacles and benches.
• Phase three includes 1,784 LF of multimodal trail, solar powered pedestrian lighting and bus shelters, trash cans, benches and plantings along the remaining gap on the south side of First Avenue from Allendale Road to Gulph Road on six properties.