Montco Planning Commission Hosts Virtual Public Hearing on Trails

PLYMOUTH-WHITEMARSH, PA — Area outdoor enthusiasts who would like to learn a little more about two planned recreational nature trails in the Plymouth-Whitemarsh region are reminded they’re invited to attend a virtual public meeting Thursday evening hosted by the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

Officials will address the feasibility studies relating to both the Wissahickon and Cross County Trails during the virtual event July 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Even though the two trail segments are located three miles apart, “they are indeed connected,” the planning commission states online, noting how both the Wissahickon and Cross County Trails will provide important connections to the greater area’s trail system.

“In today’s context, each of these segments will fill crucial gaps in the planned 800-mile Circuit Trail network of multi-use trails stretching across the Greater Philadelphia region,” the county states on its website. “Looking back in time, there are connections between these segments, which are both useful and fascinating.”

The county notes that both of these trails cross and follow streams – the Wissahickon and Plymouth Creeks – and they both have historical significance to the overall region.

“These paths and roads have been traveled by Native Americans, Colonial settlers, Revolutionary War soldiers, African American slaves escaping to freedom, famous abolitionists, farmers delivering their goods to market, and a good many more over the centuries,” the county site states. “By focusing on today’s needs and current conditions with the context of yesterday’s patterns, we aim to fill these critical trail gaps to strengthen Montgomery County’s trail network and its contribution to the Circuit Trails extending throughout the broader region.”

The county says it is working with a consultant team made up of Gilmore & Associates Inc. and Campbell Thomas & Co. two carry out the two feasibility studies being paid for by grant money from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission through its Regional Trails Program.

Thursday’s virtual session will highlight two segments of the trail project: the first segment, which is the Wissahickon Trail connection between the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood and Forbidden Drive in the Wissahickon Valley Park, which is also on the Philadelphia side, and the second segment, which is the Cross County Trail Bridge crossing over a notoriously busy section of Germantown Pike where it meets Chemical Road in Plymouth Meeting.

Those interested in attending the public hearing this week can visit here to pre-register or for more information.