infrastructure – BikeNewark

engineering, infrastructure, news, projects, transportation

Emerson Bridge and Pomeroy Trail connectors project

Following the 2022 completion of the Emerson (bike/ped) Bridge, the City is moving forward with plans to have DelDOT construct two off-road paved trails, one through Kershaw Park and the other through Olan Thomas Park, which will connect the bridge with the Pomeroy Trail.

aerial diagram of Northeast Bikeway Connector Trails project

The project began in January 2023 with a meeting of engineering representatives from Pennoni Associates, City staff, and members of BikeNewark to discuss design project issues and parameters.

Along with generous funding from New Castle County, project funding had been earmarked in the City’s 2023 budget. It is anticipated that this project will be completed in 2026.

This project has long been in BikeNewark’s plans for connecting the bridge to its North Bikeway and adding wayfinding signage north and east through Curtis Mill Park and along Old Paper Mill Road, thus completing the Northeast Bikeway segment of the Newark Bikeways low-stress network.

communication, education, encouragement, engineering, events, infrastructure, projects, safety

What we accomplished in 2024

While 2024 was not the most successful year in terms of being able to promote and effect our missional objectives, we were able to be involved in the community and accomplish the following:

photo of kiosk — One of four information kiosks installed in Newark parks along Newark Bikeways routes

Maintained membership of 42 individuals, losing seven former members but gaining seven others.
Completed our information-kiosk project, which included installation by the City of Newark in four locations (Phillips Park, the junction of the Hall and Pomeroy Trails, Olan Thomas Park, and Hillside Park) with the addition of Newark Bikeways and City of Newark Area Recreation Amenities maps created by BikeNewark.
Highlighted National Bike Month in May with our annual Bike to Work Day event on the campus of the University of Delaware, in coordination with event partners City of Newark, UD, DelDOT, Newark Bike Project, and Delaware Commute Solutions. About 75 participants attended the event.
Partnered with University of Delaware Police, DelDOT, and Newark Bike Project to hold three successful bike-safety events on campus, during which about 70 sets of bike lights were installed, about 20 bike helmets were given and fitted, and bicycle-safety information was distributed.
Organized and held six First Friday Rides community events—slow group rides that are meant to encourage those of all ages to enjoy bicycling and practice good group-riding etiquette.
Supported A. I. Whoo on its University of Delaware–hosted Newark Outdoor Recreation information project, which involved creation of a website and installation of associated outdoor signage with QR codes. The website utilizes the BikeNewark-created City of Newark Area Recreation Amenities map, which coordinates with the Newark Bikeways low-stress network.
Assisted in the efforts of WILMAPCO and City staff to update the 2014 Newark Bicycle Plan, and a member made presentations to The Newark Partnership and Rotary Club about the update project.
Supported the Newark Arts Alliance’s inaugural “Garden Tour by Bike” event with bike-route map.
Distributed information and talked with attendees at the annual Newark Community Day in September.
Supported John R. Downes Elementary School for its annual Bike to School Day celebration in May.
Supported John R. Downes Elementary School during its DelDOT-led day of bike rodeos—practical bicycle-safety sessions for children.
Supported the Newark Center for Creative Learning’s Greenfest event.
Supported the Delaware State Parks’ trail-information days for White Clay Creek State Park.
Members participated in planning committees/discussions for the following projects/topics:
- South College Avenue gateway
- Newport-to-Newark off-road trail
- Newark to Lums Pond bike access
Members participated in (and continue on) The Newark Partnership.
A member participated (and continues) on the City of Newark’s Transportation Improvement District (TID) Committee.
A member participated (and continues) on the City of Newark’s Conservation Advisory Committee.

communication, environment, infrastructure, news, projects, transportation

City adds BikeNewark’s new information kiosks

Recently, the City installed three of four planned information kiosks, paid for through grants secured by BikeNewark, in city parks as a guide supplement to BikeNewark’s low-stress network wayfinding signage. Each kiosk contains our Bikeways map and a city Area Recreation Amenities resource map.

Partnering with the City of Newark Department of Parks & Recreation, BikeNewark produced the resource map (shown below), which highlights area parks, noting specific park amenities with an overlay of the Newark Bikeways low-stress network, as well as many off-road trails.

Kiosks have been installed in Phillips Park along the James F. Hall Trail (where the Southwest Bikeway meets the Central Loop), at the junction of the Hall and Pomeroy Trails (Central Loop), and in Olan Thomas Park along the Pomeroy Trail (North Bikeway). The fourth kiosks will be installed in Hillside Park (West Bikeway).

photo of kiosk position in Olan Thomas Park — One of the kiosk locations is Olan Thomas Park, along the Pomeroy Trail, part of the North Bikeway.

> Area Recreation Amenities map (PDF)
> Newark Bikeways map (PDF)

infrastructure, news, transportation

Connecting Newark and Newport

The New Castle County government has begun a study project to assess the feasibility of a bike/ped pathway system that would connect the City of Newark to the Town of Newport. The intended result of this study is a master plan to implement such a pathway system.

On its eastern terminus, this system would eventually connect to the Jack Markell Trail, which connects the Wilmington’s Riverfront to the City of New Castle. If and when complete, this would enable low-stress connectivity among Delaware’s three largest cities above the C&D Canal.

BikeNewark is interested in seeing that such a planned pathway connection would link directly to (i.e., terminate at) the City’s Newark Bikeways low-stress network.

BikeNewark encourages the public, particularly those who live, work, or regularly visit Newark to participate in the County’s effort to receive public comment during this phase of the project through its interactive project map.

The current project timeline is as follows:

May 2023
Review agency coordination begins

July 2023
Public open house #2
Draft feasibility report and cost estimates

August 2023
Final feasibility report and cost estimates

> For more, see Newark Post article
> See New Castle County project webpage

engineering, infrastructure, news, projects, transportation

Trail connectors project underway

Coming on the heels of the Emerson Bridge project completion in 2022, the City is moving forward with plans to construct two off-road paved trails, one through Kershaw Park and the other through Olan Thomas Park, which will connect the bridge with the Pomeroy Trail. The project began in January 2023 with a meeting of engineering representatives from Pennoni Associates, City staff, and members of BikeNewark to discuss design project issues and parameters, around which Pennoni will design.

This project had long been in BikeNewark’s plans for connecting the bridge, once built, to Curtis Mill Park and then adding wayfinding signage north and east along Old Paper Mill Road to complete the Northeast Bikeway segment of the Newark Bikeways network. This segment will provide lower-stress options for residents in neighborhoods along Old Paper Mill Road to bike in a couple directions, either downtown or to points north and west of Newark.

Along with generous funding from New Castle County, project funding has been earmarked in the City’s 2023 budget.

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