Pomeroy Trail Opens in Newark

By Barb Boyce –

Bike Delaware participated in the grand opening of the Pomeroy Newark Rail Trail on Monday, September 10th at 11 am. There were dozens of bicyclists in attendance for the event, along with walkers, dignitaries and even a couple dozen preschoolers.

The Pomeroy Newark Rail Trail is a 365 day a year acessible paved pathway that runs north-south in Newark on independent right-of-way that used to belong to the Pomeroy Railroad. It connects to the James F. Hall Trail, which runs east-west in Newark, and also connects to the network of trails in White Clay Creek State Park.

Senator Carper, who obtained the federal funding for the Trail, and Governor Markell, whose First State Trails and Pathways Initiative is a plan to build many more such trails and link them all up to form a transportation and recreation bikeway network, were both on hand to mark this special occasion for the city of Newark. The City of Newark set up a large stage surrounded by posters of the various trails around the state. Short presentations were also given by Charlie Emerson, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Newark, Secretary of DE Department of Transpotation Shailen Bhatt, Secretary of DE Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Collin O’Mara, Newark City Council member Dave Athey, Newark Interim City Manager Carol Houck, and Newark Mayor Vance Funk III.  Afterwards, Senator Carper, surrounded by the other dignitaries, conducted the ribbon cutting in front of the trail.

Click on the image below for brief coverage in the Wilmington News Journal, including a photo gallery.