About

Join us on Saturday, September 22, 2018 as we celebrate the completion of Delaware’s newest trail connecting the Wilmington Riverfront and Historic New Castle. This walkable, bikeable trail, with its wide boardwalk spanning the marsh at Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge, opens a whole new world for pedestrians and cyclists. It also adds to the hundreds of miles of bike paths and greenways now available in Delaware through efforts led by organizations such as Delaware Greenways and Bike Delaware. (learn more »)

A highlight of Trailfest will be two bike rides to benefit Delaware Greenways and Bike Delaware, whose decade-long advocacy drove the creation of this remarkable new asset.

These rides will provide cyclists of all ages and abilities the opportunity to experience the new trail and connecting trails while raising funds in support of the important work of both organizations.

This FREE celebration from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. will be held at the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge's DuPont Environmental Education Center at the Wilmington Riverfront. Activities includes live music, interactive exhibits, live animals, Naturemobile, beginner canoeing, activities, outfitters, craft vendors, craft beer, food trucks and more.

The Jack. A Markell Trail (learn more »), the newest trail segment and bridge of the Wilmington to New Castle Greenway, begins at the Riverfront’s DuPont Environmental Education Center and provides an easy way to explore the 212-acre Peterson Wildlife Refuge. An extra-wide scenic boardwalk spans the marsh connecting to the longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge ever built in Delaware. The trail bridge spans the Christina River connecting users with the existing Industrial Track Trail, the Heritage Trail and finally the Battery Park Trail bringing users into Historic New Castle. Totaling seven miles, these trails are not open to automobiles, providing a safe and direct connection from the Wilmington Riverfront to Historic New Castle (learn more, including map »).

The Rides
  • Family Trail Ride (15.3 miles or pick your distance, 9:30 a.m. start).
    • The Family Trail Ride departs from the DuPont Environmental Educational Center and will follow dedicated bike trails into Historic New Castle. The official turnaround will be at The Wharf area in Historic New Castle (along Delaware River). You do not have to ride the entire distance. *Family Trail Ride free for age 14 and under
  • Challenge Ride (50 miles, 8 a.m. start).
    • The Trailfest Challenge features a course that begins on Wilmington's Riverfront at the DuPont Environmental Education Center and follows the Jack A. Markell Trail into Historic New Castle. Riders will proceed south on River Road (Route 9) for 10 miles then pick up the Mike Castle Trail along the C&D Canal. The official turnaround will be at Summit North Marina/Grain Restaurant located on the Mike Castle Trail. Each registered rider receives a beer ticket for a complimentary craft beer from Dogfish Head following the ride. *Must be age 16 or older to participate in the Challenge Ride
  • Safety is the number one priority for Delaware Greenways and Bike Delaware. All registered riders of the Challenge and Family Friendly ride must wear helmets.
Register

Parking

All guests and riders should park in the surface lot at the Riverfront in front of St. Francis Healthcare. GPS address is: 1072 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Parking is free. Guests and riders should then take the dedicated pathway to the DuPont Environmental Center and Trailfest. DO NOT walk up Delmarva Lane.

 

Support

Interested in sponsoring this event? Click below to view or download our sponsorship opportunities.
Sponsorship Opportunities »

Ready to sponsor? Click below to view or download our sponsorship commitment form.
Sponsorship Commitment Form »

Fun Stuff To Do

Saturday, Sept. 22

Activities

Bike Raffle courtesy Trek Bicycle Wilmington
  • Win an FX2. Raffle winner announced during Trailfest!

Music
  • 10am-noon: The Honey Badgers
  • Noon-2pm: The Stone Shakers
Ongoing (10am-2pm unless otherwise noted)
  • Trail Sampler Bike Ride (Bike provided; first-come; first serve)
  • Haiku and You (4th Floor Environmental Center)
  • Dip Netting (Pond Loop)
  • Monarch Butterfly Tagging & Release (Boardwalk): 11:30, 12:30pm, 1:30pm
  • Bird Banding for Research (Outdoor Classroom)
  • Canoeing(Pond)
  • Exhibits & Meet Live Animals (1st Floor Environmental Center)
  • Environmental Exhibitors (4th Floor Environmental Center)
  • Exhibits & Nature Crafts (3rdFloor Environmental Center)
  • Outfitters & More (outside)
  • Beer Tent (outside)
  • Food (outside)
Family Trail Ride and Challenge Ride

  • 7am: Check-in and registration opens for Challenge Ride and Family Trail Ride
  • 8am: Challenge Riders depart
  • 9:30am: Family Trail Riders depart
  • 10am-2pm: Trailfest Festivities at Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge and DuPont Environmental Center
Register

Who We Are

BIKE DELAWARE is a member-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to making cycling and walking safe, convenient and fun for everyone in Delaware through policy research and nonpartisan advocacy. We imagine a Delaware where people of all ages, abilities and means choose to bicycle and walk for health, work and play. Learn More »

The mission of Delaware Greenways is to develop networks of trails, pathways & scenic corridors that invite people to discover & enjoy the outdoors. We are a member-supported non-profit organization. Become a member at delawaregreenways.org »

The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware (RDC), created in 1995, by a Governor’s task force to oversee the futures of the Brandywine and Christina Rivers. Established with primary funding from the State of Delaware and some additional contributions from the City of Wilmington and New Castle County, the RDC is focused on creating economic vitality along the Brandywine and Christina Rivers while enhancing the environment, encouraging historic preservation, and increasing public access. Learn More »

Delaware Nature Society connects people with the natural world to improve our environment through education, advocacy and conservation. Learn More »

Located on the edge of the 212-acre Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, DuPont Environmental Education Center (DEEC) is the city’s most unique and natural place where the city, river, and marsh meet. The site is open to the public year-round and features educational programs and a pond loop that extends into the marsh. Learn More »

Urban Bike Project supports Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycling as a healthy, affordable and practical means of transportation and recreation. Learn More »

New Castle County is the northern most of Delaware's three counties - the smallest in area, but the largest in population. The county occupies 494 square miles and has an approximate population of about 550,000 residents. Learn More »

New Castle, originally named Fort Casimir, was founded in 1651 by Peter Stuyvesant, who was sent to provide the Dutch with command of all river traffic. Because of its strategic location, ownership of the settlement was constantly changing. The flags of the Netherlands, Sweden and Great Britain have all flown over New Castle. Learn More »

The East Coast Greenway Alliance partners with local, state, and national agencies and organizations to promote the establishment, stewardship, and public enjoyment of the East Coast Greenway. The vision for the East Coast Greenway is a 3,000-mile traffic-separated route for biking, walking, and other active means, which is safe and accessible for all ages and abilities, linking cities and towns from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. Learn More »