New Delaware trail to be named for Castle

A new trail along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal will be named after former Congressman Mike Castle, in honor of his efforts to launch the trail.

Castle joined the three members of Delaware’s Congressional Delegation in the ceremonial groundbreaking alongside the canal in St. Georges.  Castle first announced his proposal for the trail near the same site back in 2004, but even he wasn’t sure it would ever come to be.  “The C&D trail project is a culmination of literally years of hard work and determination by many great Delawareans,” Castle said. 

The first phase of the 16-mile long trail will stretch nine miles from Delaware City to just past Summit Marina.  The trails will allow for multiple uses including biking, hiking, jogging, bird watching, or even horseback riding. Delaware’s Congressional Delegation secured $2.2 million from the Federal Highway Administration for planning and building the trail.  Last year, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control committed $1 million in funding, and the project was awarded another $1 million.  The first phase of the trail is expected to be completed by February 2013.

Sen. Chris Coons says Castle first approached him about the idea of biking, walking and skating trails along the canal after he was first elected New Castle County Executive.  “Mike Castle long ago embraced the notion that the C&D Canal is like an emerald necklace draped across the northern portion of our beautiful state,” said Coons.  “I am so very pleased that this jewel will be named after our dear friend.”