Under pressure from the encroaching cities of Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia, the trail is endangered. The valley of the Brandywine in general and the trail specifically retain much of their rural charm. The first person to sign the guest book, Alex, writes, "I would think that a trail passing through an increasingly developed area (near a major city) that so cleverly avoids the hustle and bustle of it deserves a place on the web." I couldn't have said it better myself. On both sides of the Delaware border, private trusts keep some of the land, on which the trail goes, from being developed.
About half of the 35-mile trail is off-road, and most of this is on private property. The trail is open to the members of the Wilmington Trail Club and their guests, including the Chester County Trail Club.
News
In 2002, the Borough of Downingtown won a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for $150,000 to design and develop 1.08 miles of the Brandywine Trail. In a related development, the Borough will extend the Brandywine Trail through Kerr Park to the north, crossing Route 282 (Wallace Avenue) and connecting the Borough directly to the Chester County Struble Trail. Another extension will link Kerr Park with the Roger Hunt Mill and Samuel Tabas Memorial Park at Manor Avenue and Race Street in the Borough by installing additional trail and a footbridge across the Brandywine Creek.
From the West Chester Daily News, Nov.11, 2001: "the Pennsbury Township Land Trust, an all volunteer organization, will receive $519,320 (Chester Co. grant for open space projects) to leverage $600,000 for its $1.1 million project to acquire 56 acres in the eastern part of the township, for walking and hiking and resource protection. The land,which includes part of the Mason-Dixon Trail, abuts permanently protected land that borders the Brandywine Creek."
Related Sites
Chester County Trail Club
This group of hikers has sponsored numerous hikes on the Brandywine Trail. It maintains the northern part of this trail.
Wilmington Trail Club
maintains the southern part of the trail, and it sponsors the annual hike over the trail.
Use the trails wisely. The conditions of the trails may vary from the descriptions found here, due to external forces. This site strives to present accurate information, but it is subject to change. Never trespass on private property or violate any law. Do nothing which would be dangerous. As with any activity outdoors, hiking has risks. You assume responsibility for those risks.
Brandywine Trail
