OUTDOOR: THE RADNOR TRAIL
If there is a week of good weather, you can usually find me on the Radnor Trail at least two or three of those days. I love this trail on days that I just want to runnnnnn. It is a relatively flat stretch of running space that can total close to 5 miles, there and back. I always feel safe on the trail alone because there are enough eyes yet its never overcrowded. And, the views! No, it's not running in Big Sky, Montana, but it is our little slice of suburban paradise. To me, the Radnor Trail is an enjoyable escape for a beautiful scenic run. In the fall, the gorgeous colored leaves frame the path. Those same trees provide a nice amount of lush green shade over most of the trail in the spring and summer months. From one end of Radnor to the other, moving nearly parallel to Lancaster Avenue for the 2.44 mile stretch, this trail is a favorite of local runners, walkers, and families out for a bike ride. The Radnor Trail is just perfect when I want to take an enjoyable run or run for speed or tempo.
Running outdoors has been my saving grace since Covid shut the world down. It allows me a safe "escape" from the confines of my home (and my screaming children). In the height of the uncertainty of the pandemic, I stopped visiting the Radnor Trail afraid that the virus was airborne even outside. As soon as we became more educated about how the virus is transmitted, I immediately returned. Radnor takes Covid safety seriously and encourages safe use of the trail by calling for "physical distancing in public parks and trails". The Radnor Trail is part of the township's "Mask Up Radnor" safety policy.
The coolest part about this location is its contribution to our neighborhood's history and the roll it played in developing this stretch of the Main Line. Extending from Sugartown Road in Wayne to Radnor Chester Road, the trail runs along what used to be part of the Strafford Branch of the Philadelphia and Western Railway in the early to mid 1900's. While the blacktop now covers the old train tracks, you can see evidence of the abandoned railway in the white guard rails that still stand. The concrete supports of the elevated train stations remain, as well. And that grand building off of Conestoga Road that I often wonder about as I cruise past ... that was the Ithan Station, which was a power substation for the railroad. And get this -- in 1920, the president of the P&W Railway began to use this building as a club room with a squash court before he eventually killed himself in there-- more of a chilling revelation than what I was expecting to discover.
There are several signs like the ones shown below along the trail. Maybe you have run past them a hundred times (like me) or maybe you stopped and took a quick read once. Go check them out. I had no clue that these signs actually mark the former locations of the various train stations. The line was abandoned in 1956 and this section of the railway remained vacant and undeveloped until the Radnor Trail opened in 2005. (For a detailed history of the trail that is now such a huge part of recreation in Radnor, visit The Township of Radnor's Website).
These historical signs are part of a long-term project by the Radnor Historical Society and Radnor Conservatory to commemorate all of the stations that once stood along the former site of the P&W Railway.
This stately building near Conestoga Road was the Ithan Station and it is still amazingly intact.
One of the original guard rails that remain.
So here is what you should know about the Radnor Trail before heading out:
🏃The trail is open from dawn to dusk.
🏃The township doesn't maintain it during the winter months so users are invited to use the trail "at their own risk."
🏃The trail is available to runners and walkers. Rollerbladers and bikers are permitted at a "controlled speed"-- "wheels yield to heels".
🏃Our furry friends are also allowed, as long as they are on a leash. There are even several dog clean up stations.
🏃Mile markers line the trail and people are asked to share and stay on the trail along the way.
🏃There is one small designated parking lot at Conestoga Road. The Wayne Art Center prohibits people from parking in their lot, despite the fact that you may be tempted by its easy access to the middle of the trail.
🏃There are two portable toilets around the 1.8 mile marker, at the Conestoga Road entrance, should nature call. But, always be prepared for limited access to public restrooms due to Covid.
🏃Bring your own source of hydration because there are no water stations.
The bathrooms are located at the Conestoga Road parking lot. The original railway supports exist across the way.
The Conestoga Road parking lot and entrance to the trail.
The Radnor Trail is part of the Greater Philadelphia Area's Circuit Trails. Circuit Trails is a network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails. The organization's mission is to connect local communities to the outdoors and enjoy all that the local trails have to offer. With the goal of providing safe access to regional trails for everyone, the coalition highlights existing trails and works to improve and restore others with the Rails-to-Trails Conservatory. And the Main Line just so happens to be home to several Circuit Trails-- aren't we lucky? I seriously love where I live!
Be sure to go out later this month on April 24 to "Celebrate Trails Day" by walking, running, biking, enjoying nature, volunteering or cleaning up your local trail. Use the hashtag #CelebrateTrails to tag your activity and your trail. You know where to find me on April 24-- I'll be on the Radnor Trail!