A Western Suburbs Tail Summit last week highlighted an expanding bike and hike trails system in Delaware County, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

Delaware County Council has made it a priority to invest more in trails and open space, said Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaeffer.

There was $7.5 million invested this past year. The county’s capital plan calls for $5 million a year to go to trail and open space projects.

“We’re trying very hard to make these smart investments and catch up to the rest of the world in our trails and adding to the circuit,” Schaefer said.

The Delco Greenways Grant Program, using a $10 million bond in 2018, has allotted $4.5 million to 26 municipalities.

Looking ahead, six projects are in the works, including:

• $500,000 for the walkable Chadds Ford project
• $500,000 for the Crozer Park trail along the Creek Trail in Chester City
• $407,000 for the Radnor Trail extension, part of the Valley Forge to Heinz trail project
• $407,000 for the Upper Darby Township Darby Creek Trail  Connectivity project
• $100,000 for the East Lansdowne/Upper Darby recreation trail
• $75,000 for a trail along Rose Valley Road in Rose Valley Borough.

Read more at the Daily Times about other trail projects in the county.