Valley Forge Park Cobblestone Replacement Near Ready

VALLEY FORGE —The replacement of cobblestones in front of the Valley Forge Memorial Arch is expected to be complete at the end of June, but a Gulph Road entrance will not open yet due to underground pipework.

Gulph Road is a cut through between Phoenixville and Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.

Motorists will continue to use the Route 23 detour until all the work is done.

The new cobblestones being placed on Gulph Road are the last part of a $698,495 project that includes replacing the road and curbs.

The contractor is Marino Corporation, Skippack Township, according to PennDOT.

Adam Grefek, park spokesman, said the park infrastructure upgrades are ongoing as the park is getting ready for the 250-year anniversary of the Revolutionary War.

The arch is a tribute to General George Washington and the troops he led during the Revolutionary War.

Part of the upgrades also includes several repaving projects beginning Monday, April 18.

“While this sort of work causes short-term inconvenience for both visitors and park staff, the end result is smoother, safer roadways for years to come.” said Jennifer McMenamin, park facilities and maintenance manager.

“Paving work can only take place in warmer months, and we phased it so that we will affect visitors less.”

McMenanmin said when the work is complete, three miles of the park’s most popular roads will be smooth, re-lined, and pothole-free.

“This will increase safety for drivers and pedestrians alike,” she contined. “Newly striped parking lots will increase efficiency and reduce the confusion of park visitors searching for a space.”

Repaving Timeline

Phase One—April 18 to early May

• Repaving parking lot just east of the Washington Memorial Chapel. Chapel visitors are encouraged to use the chapel’s own parking lots. Parking is available nearby at the Maurice Stevens lot across Route 23 from the chapel lot, and Varnum’s picnic area west along Route 23. No roadside or “on the grass” parking is allowed.

Phase Two — April 25 to mid-May

• North Outer Line Drive and South Outer Line Drive from the park administrative building to the intersection of South Outer Line Drive and Route 252 will be closed.
• Motorists will not be able to drive to popular landmarks such as Muhlenberg's Brigade huts, the National Memorial Arch, and Wayne’s Woods picnic area. These sites will still be accessible by walking and biking along the Joseph Plum Martin trail.
• Traditional pedal bike and ebike rentals are available at the park’s encampment Store. The closure will also impact the Encampment Tour Route used by guided trolleys and self-guided driving tours.

Phase Three - early May to mid-June

• Betzwood recreational and picnic area, including the boat launch area will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians. The work will not affect travel on the paved Schuylkill River Trail, but will limit or close access to the unpaved River Trail in the Betzwood area of the park.