Cynwyd Heritage Trail


The Cynwyd Heritage Trail is a 1.8-mile-long rail trail in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, following the route of the former SEPTA Cynwyd Line railway line from Cynwyd station to Belmont Avenue, and forking along the way to the Manayunk Bridge The trail surface is partially asphalt and crushed stone.

History

Construction of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail officially began on Thursday, May 5, 2011, when Lower Merion representatives symbolically broke ground for construction, although actual construction had already begun in March 2011 and volunteers had been maintaining the trail for many years.
Officially opened in summer 2011, the Cynwyd Heritage Trail stretches for from the Cynwyd Station of Septa's Cynwyd Line to Belmont Avenue, with an offshoot to Philadelphia via the Manayunk Bridge. The trail is on Philadelphia's Main Line, and is contained wholly within Lower Merion. The trail spans the Schuylkill River via the Manayunk Bridge, which connects Lower Merion and Philadelphia. The renovated bridge opened in October 2015 and connects to the Schuylkill River Trail on the Philadelphia side of the bridge.

Friends of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail

The Friends of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail was founded in 2008 as a group of volunteers of committed to the maintenance of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail.
The group began during the trail's planning and focuses on its upkeep and beautification to help realize the Lower Merion community’s vision for the trail.
The group promotes and coordinates volunteer time, talent, and fundraising for trail maintenance.
The primary goals are to sustain and improve the park with permanent enhancements and new amenities along the trail.