[1] It follows the former SEPTA Cynwyd Line railway line from Cynwyd station to Belmont Avenue, with a branch to Philadelphia's Manyunk neighborhood via the Manayunk Bridge over the Schuylkill River.

Volunteers had for years maintained a trail along the former railroad right-of-way.

In 2008, the Friends of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail organized as a volunteer group that recruits and organizes volunteer maintainers and raises funds to sustain and improve the park with permanent improvements and new amenities.

[2] Construction on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail began in March 2011.

A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 5, 2011, and the trail was officially opened that summer.