Follow Up: Full Steam Ahead - DE Officials celebrate opening of Auburn Heights Trail

THE ISSUE

On Monday, Aug. 20, Governor Jack Markell, DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara and other local legislators joined the Friends of the Auburn Heights Preserve in Yorklyn for the grand opening of the new the Auburn Heights Trail, the first multi-use trail of its kind.

The event marked the opening of a one-mile loop trail and the completion of the first phase of the trail system.

The trail is the first of its kind to have been funded, designed and constructed as part of the Governor’s Trails and Pathways Initiative, which was launched last October.

Gov. Markell stated that the new trail in Yorklyn is important as an economic and health investment.

“It’s good for the local economy and provides jobs in the area by helping revitalize this community,” he said.

WHAT’S HAPPENED/WHAT WE’VE REPORTED

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation kicked off the second phase of the Yorklyn revitalization project in October 2011 to transform the former NVF manufacturing plant into open space with commercial properties that officials say will still retain Yorklyn’s mill town roots.

The plan calls for shopping and restaurant development, but also an attractive trail system to connect the new commercial site to existing attractions, including the Marshall Steam Museum, the Wilmington and Western Railroad, the Center for Creative Arts, and the Delaware Nature Society.

WHAT’S NEXT

One of the unique features of the upcoming six-mile loop trail is that it will be available for use by steam cars from the Marshall Steam Museum. The project is expected to boost economic development in the area, and add authentic 1920s flair to Yorklyn’s mill town origins.  

Rep. Deborah Hudson (R-Fairthorne) who represents the 12th District, the home of the new pathway, said this project is a great revitalization effort for the area.

“It is a project that brings people together,” she said.