Several citizens in Delaware County organized the “Friends of the Chester Creek Branch” and laid the ground work to convert the old “Chester Creek Branch” rail line to a multi-use trail.  The proposed trail would connect the historic Caleb Pusey Plantation in Upland with the SEPTA R3 station in Wawa.  This 6.7 mile trail would pass through Aston, Chester, and Middletown Townships in Delaware County, PA.

Originally, the citizens worked through the auspices of the Delaware Valley Cycling Committee.  However, In the Fall of 1995, the Friends of the Chester Creek Branch were formally incorporated as part of the Chester-Ridley-Crum Creek Watersheds Association (“CRC”).  CRC is a not-for-profit (IRS 501 (c)(3) organization) educational and scientific organization dedicated to the integrity of the Chester, Ridley, and Crum creeks and their associated creek valleys.  In incorporating the Friends of the Chester Creek Branch rail-trail project the CRC continued its mission to support, encourage, and promote the enjoyment, restoration, conservation, protection, and prudent management of the natural resources of the Chester, Ridley, and Crum Creek watersheds.