On Monday, August 3, the Brandywine Conservancy, in partnership with the Chester County Planning Commission, announced the completion of the Brandywine Creek Water Trail Feasibility Study!

As a part of the Brandywine Creek Greenway initiative, the study outlines recommendations for a formalized route along the Brandywine Creek for recreational use and enhanced trail connections. Recommendations focus on improving safe public access by providing proper amenities for kayakers and canoers, directing use to specific access points through unified wayfinding signage and a water trail map, and establishing an online presence to provide information on creek conditions as well as proper safety and stewardship practices.

The Planning Commission partnered with the Brandywine Conservancy on this project in an advisory capacity and contributed conceptual designs for the proposed launch facilities and proposed wayfinding system.

The study was guided by a Study Advisory Committee, which consisted of Planning Commission staff, municipal employees and officials, local non-profits and land trusts, county emergency services, natural resources based state agencies from both PA and DE, the National Park Service, the Brandywine Conservancy, and local canoeing and kayaking outfitters.

Executive Director for the PA Fish and Boat Commission, Tim Schaeffer, noted the importance of the partnership between the involved agencies in the Brandywine Conservancy’s official press release. “Our agency’s mission is enhanced by the collaborative effort of these key partners and the implementation of the study’s recommendations over the coming years. The Brandywine is a cherished aquatic recreational resource in southeastern Pennsylvania, and this study will help lay the foundation upon which to sustain that for future generations of users,” said Schaeffer.

Once complete, the Brandywine Creek Water Trail will be a 22-mile water route improving and formalizing access to the waterway for responsible recreational and educational use, while also protecting and enhancing the natural, scenic, cultural and historic resources along the river.

“Working together, we look forward to the next phase of implementing key aspects of the Brandywine Creek Water Trail to provide safe and sustainable access to the creek; identification of issues related to privately owned property versus public access along the creek; and sound guidance for creek users,” said Ellen Ferretti, Director of the Brandywine Conservancy. “We are truly grateful to our partners at the Chester County Planning Commission and the many institutions who lent their expertise and guidance on this project.”

This project was financed in part by funding from the William Penn Foundation to the Brandywine Creek Greenway.

To learn more about the release of the feasibility study, visit https://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2020/08/brandywine-conservancy-releases-final.html

For more information about the Brandywine Creek Greenway initiative, visit https://www.brandywinegreenway.org.