Valley Forge Gateway Trail Partnership Launches, Unveils Public Art Campaign to Build Support for Transformative Regional Trail

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (September 2, 2026) –The Valley Forge Gateway Trail Partnership officially launched today at Recharge Park in King of Prussia, bringing together more than 60 business leaders, nonprofit representatives, elected officials and community members to build momentum for a transformative new trail connection in Upper Merion Township. 

Led by King of Prussia District with support from the William Penn Foundation, the Partnership is a coalition of 27 public, private and community organizations working together to advance the proposed Valley Forge Gateway Trail, a 2.8-mile, seven-segment multiuse trail that will connect the Chester Valley Trail and Schuylkill River Trail through Upper Merion Township.  The project will close a critical gap in the region’s trail network, creating safer, more accessible connections to Valley Forge National Historical Park, neighborhoods, employment centers, shopping destinations and communities throughout the region.  

The launch event featured remarks from Pennsylvania State Senator Amanda Cappelletti; Pennsylvania Representative Tim Briggs; Tina Garzillo, Chair of the Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors; Michele Perch, Senior Program Officer of Environment & Public Space for the William Penn Foundation; Justin Dennis, New Jersey Program Director at The Trust for Public Land and Chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition; Eric Goldstein, President & CEO of King of Prussia District; and Rachel Ammon, Director of Marketing & Communications for King of Prussia District. 

“Projects of this scale only happen when people come together around a shared vision,” said Goldstein. “The Partnership brings together an incredible group of public, private and community organizations, and that collaboration is what will ultimately move the Valley Forge Gateway Trail from vision to reality.”

The Circuit Trails Coalition identified the Valley Forge Gateway Trail as the #1 trail segment in the region for improving access to parks and recreation and ranked it the #1 priority on the Pennsylvania Circuit for access to employment.  

“While 2.8 miles may not seem like a lot, a connection like this has impact that is far beyond its length,” said Justin Dennis, Chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition. “It brings together major employers, businesses, residential communities, tourism destinations and recreational assets in ways that exceed the impact of the number alone.” 

The event also marked the debut of Forging the Path Forward, a public art campaign designed to get the community talking about the Valley Forge Gateway Trail and imagining the connections it could create. Twenty-two colorful, repurposed bicycles are being installed along local trails, the proposed Valley Forge Gateway Trail route and other highly visible locations throughout Upper Merion Township. From September 5 through September 30, the community can also participate in the Forging Your Path Photo Challenge by snapping a selfie with a bike and submitting it at vfgatewaytrail.com for a chance to win a grand prize.  

The Partnership also outlined its plans for community engagement and advocacy moving forward, including advertising campaigns, special events, media outreach and volunteer opportunities.   

For more information about the Valley Forge Gateway Trail, visit vfgatewaytrail.com.
 

ABOUT THE VALLEY FORGE GATEWAY TRAIL PARTNERSHIP 

The Valley Forge Gateway Trail Partnership is a coalition of public, private and community organizations working together to advance the Valley Forge Gateway Trail, a 2.8-mile, seven-segment multiuse trail that will connect the Chester Valley Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail through Upper Merion Township. Made possible through support from the William Penn Foundation and led by King of Prussia District, the Partnership builds community awareness, fosters collaboration and advocates for one of the most significant missing links in the more than 500-mile Circuit Trails network. Once complete, the trail will create safer, more accessible connections between neighborhoods, employers, parks, shopping destinations, Valley Forge National Historical Park and communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Learn more at vfgatewaytrail.com.