The Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Stewards and several volunteers in coordination with Tinicum Conservancy and Bridgeton Township are beginning to develop a 2-mile natural footpath in Bridgeton Township’s recently preserved open space in Upper Black Eddy, off of River Road. Work on the trail is set to begin in early October 2023.

The Appalachian Mountain Club alongside the Tinicum Conservancy hosted a presentation in Bridgeton Township to share information and recruit volunteers for an upcoming trail building project set to start later this fall. The presentation to Bridgeton Township residents and volunteers covered the components of trail building, what to expect out in the field when workdays get scheduled, and expanded on the importance of the Highlands region.

In 2019, Bridgeton Township, with help from the Tinicum Conservancy, purchased what was formerly a quarry that had been unoccupied for quite some time. At the time, the entities secured $600,000 in funding from the Bucks County Natural Areas program, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and a private foundation. The Tinicum Conservancy states that it is the largest tract of preserved land in Bridgeton Township that is not privately owned.

The Conservancy’s most recent newsletter states, “small ponds created by excavation dot the landscape, along with woodland areas, natural springs, palisades and a wealth of mature trees. Recreationists will share it with a variety of wildlife, including otters, frogs, salamander, reptiles and birds.”

“It’s going to be a wonderful place for people to study nature, go on a hike and just enjoy themselves,” says Jim Engel, Executive Director of the Conservancy. “When trails are completed, visitors will have a chance to experience the many different aspects of this beautiful property.”

The long term vision is to connect the loop trail within the Bridgeton Township open space to the Highlands Trail in Ringing Rocks County Park.

Read the full newsletter from Tinicum Conservancy here.