![]() Burgeoning trail networks, like the Atlanta BeltLine and Columbus’ Dragonfly Trails, in its major cities, as well as segments of the national East Coast Greenway, are a testament to the growing status of the Peach State in the trail movement. With 200+ miles of open rail-trail-and more in the works-Georgia is the South’s preeminent trail state. Otherwise, the Bristol Spurline Park is a great asset for this suburban town on the Delaware River and the borough officials who conceived it in the late 70's are to be commended for their forward vision.Georgia's Columbus Fall Line Trace | Photo courtesy of Dragonfly Trail Network My only caveat on the trail is that its asphalt surface is showing its age, meaning that cyclists can expect some bumps, and a memorial fountain located at the intersection of Old Route 13 and Beaver Street which was shut off during the Covid pandemic still hasn't been reactivated. In addition to linking to the D&L Trail, which, when completed, will follow the towpath of the old canal from Bristol to Wilkes-Barre, the Spurline Park will also become part of the East Coast Greenway when it is eventually moved off-road and is also part of The Circuit, the network of greenways that will eventually span the Philly Metro Area and beyond. Although described on the borough's website as being part of the Spurline Park, this greenway is technically the southernmost segment of the D&L Trail and interpretive signage provides information on the southern terminus of Delaware & Lehigh Canal, which was once located here. From here, it turns south through the Bristol Marsh Preserve, ending at a small plaza at the Bristol riverfront. Although the Spurline Park technically ends at the intersection of Old Route 13 and Mill Street, the trail itself continues on the south side of Old Route 13 to Canal's End Road. A colorful mural commemorating the 1950's adorns the side of William Penn Bank, and the shops and eateries of the downtown are just a short walk down Mill Street. A small piece of old RR track located in front of Grundy Towers marks the spot where Abraham Lincoln addressed the town shortly after his election in 1861, while a couple historical buildings, including the borough's municipal offices and police station as well as the old fire station can be seen just across the street. Heading further southwest, the trail crosses Beaver Street and follows Old Route 13 into Bristol's historic downtown. Once a textile mill, the complex now houses several businesses, including a dance studio, gym, a rye whiskey distiller and the offices of an engineering firm and an environmental group monitoring the Delaware River. After crossing Jefferson Ave., trail users will pass the Grundy Mill complex, with its 186 foot high clock tower, which is now the logo of Bucks County. The state park's small network of paved trail's links the Spurline trail to the nearby, much longer D&L Trail. Heading southwest, the trail runs between residential neighborhoods and Roosevelt State Park, which features basketball courts and a community garden. Bristol High School, the playground and an athletic complex with football and soccer fields and a running track are also located along this section. Amtrack passenger trains, SEPTA commuter trains and Norfolk Southern and CSX freight trains can all be seen zipping by, safely separated from the linear park by a metal fence, making it a railfan's delight. The segment of the trail from here to Roosevelt State Park closely follows the RR, which is one of the most heavily used lines in the nation. and the Northeast Corridor active RR line. From here, it takes a sharp turn to the southwest, threading a tree-lined route between Trenton Ave. ![]() It extends north, through residential neighborhoods to the intersection of Railroad and Trenton Aves. The park's trail begins at Radcliffe Street on the borough's east side, just6 a block away from the Delaware River. ![]() The borough's then visionary investment has paid off well in the ensuing 43 years. It was the third rails to trails conversion in SE PA, after the Struble Trail in Chester County and the Conewago Recreation Trail in Lancaster County, both of which were constructed only a year earlier in 1979. However, when the Bristol Spurline Park was originally developed on the former Conrail line in 1980, linear parks and rail trails were still a new and unusual concept. Comprised of a paved, multi-use trail lined with shade trees as well as benches, a playground and connections to Roosevelt State Park, the Bristol Marsh and Bristol High School, the linear park is one of many such greenways that are being built in towns and cities throughout the country. As its name indicates, the 2.5 mile Bristol Spurline Park follows the route of an old RR track that once extended from the nearby Northeast Corridor into the heart of this town on the Delaware River just east of Philly.
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