BRVA- Comprehensive Trail Plan

First State National Historical Park » BRVA- Comprehensive Trail Plan » Document List

The National Park Service (NPS) is developing a Comprehensive Trail Plan / Environmental Assessment for the Brandywine Valley unit of First State National Historical Park (FRST) to establish a cohesive and sustainable trail system. The plan would define a designated shared-use trail network that provides high-quality recreational opportunities, promotes visitor safety and enjoyment, preserves connectivity with leased property within the Park unit and neighboring properties, and supports the purposes for which FRST was established.

The park currently manages approximately 23 miles of trails, ranging from agricultural roads to former single lane dirt roads and single-track recreational trails. Trail use has never been comprehensively planned or assessed in the Brandywine Valley unit; the NPS inherited an existing trail network from the previous landowner and multiple trails have been added over the years without management approval or official consideration of impacts on public safety or natural and cultural resources. As a result, portions of the trail network suffer from increased erosion and tread wear, have poor connectivity, and do not offer a high-quality user experience.

There will be a 30-day public comment period between July 2 and August 1, 2024. To review and comment on the draft Plan click on the 'Document List' in the menu to the left. To submit comments, click on "Open for Comment." During the comment period, any individual or group can submit comments electronically through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) project website, the preferred method for submitting comments.

We are holding three (3) public meetings during the 30-day comment period on July 14, 15, and 16th. All public meetings will present identical content. You can find information on location and times by clicking the 'Meeting Notices' in the menu to the left.

Contact Information

First State National Historical Park
Headquarters
302-317-3854