New And Improved Running Routes in Major North America Cities

In the spring and summer of 2025, Great Runs spent time researching what’s new to the running scene in major North America Cities. We want to make sure the information we provide is as up to date as possible. The list below, in alphabetical order by city, includes brand new parks & paths, as well as major enhancements to existing running facilities.  For more, see our full list of new & updated routes added to Great Runs. 

And, we need your help here! If you’re aware of any great new spots for running, or something on an existing route that should be updated or changed, use the COMMENTS section at the bottom of this page or on a route. Or, send an email to ma*************@*******ns.com. Thank you!

Atlanta. The Westside Beltine Trail Connector adds to the Westside Beltline Trail and also provides a short connection to WestSide Park & Proctor Creek Greenway. Keep checking back for continued expansion of the city’s ambitious Beltline Trail. Also, the Path400 Greenway in Buckhead, with 3.8 of 5.2 planned miles complete.

Boston. The 11-mile Northern Strand Community Path between Everett and Lynn is now complete. There are also improvements to the Mystic River trails north of the city. In South Boston, a new connection between the Harborwalk and the Neponset River Trail will open in summer 2025.

Chicago. There are major enhancements to the iconic Lakefront Trail, including separated pedestrian paths much of the way. On the North Shore, the 312 RiverRun is a 2-mile section expansion of the Channel Trail, with important connections to parks.

Dallas. The new Hi Line connector provides an important off-road connection between the two most popular running routes in central Dallas: the Trinity Trails and the Katy Trail.

Des Moines.  In 2024, a new, paved extension of the High Trestle Trail continues the trail for 9 miles west to Perry.

Detroit: Improvements to one of the city’s most important running routes, the Riverwalk: the Southwest Greenway is an 0.6 mile extension; and major renovations to West Riverfront Park.

Indianapolis. Pogue’s Run Trail has been significantly expanded, now providing good connections to the Monon Trail and the Cultural Trail.

Little Rock: The Southwest Trail is a planned 65-mile multi-use trail between Little Rock and Hot Springs. The first 4 miles, between Brittain and Shannon Hills, opened in 2025.

Los Angeles. More a commuter corridor but also those who want an off-road running option, a new 5-mile multi-use ‘Rail to Rail’ path connects K Line Fairview Heights Station in Inglewood to Santa Fe and Slauson Avenues near the A Line Slauson Station. There are separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Runs mainly along Slauson. 

Mexico City. A massive new park, Lake Texcoco Ecological Park, opened in 2024. A major ecological restoration project, this park is one of the largest urban parks in the world, with more than 12,000 acres of public space. There are trails around woods and wetlands.

Miami. The extension of the Miami Beach Boardwalk is now complete. Also new is the  Underline Trail, a multi-use path running underneath Miami’s Metrorail line. Modeled after NYC’s High Line, the Underline currently runs for 2.8 miles, with plans to extend to 7 miles.

New Orleans. Exciting development, as of April 2026: There’s now a seamless 2.3-mile run along the Mississippi River, steps from the French Quarter, owing to a $30 million renovation of Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park and a new connection at Governor Nicholls Street Wharf to Crescent Park. 

New York City. The Hudson River Greenway has several improvements, including redevelopment of several piers that make for nice jaunts, as well as a connector to the High Line. Some important gaps have been filled on the East River Greenway. And there have been enhancements & upgrades to trails on Randall’s Island and Governors Island.

Orlando: The Shingle Creek Trail & Lake Fran Loop in southwest Orlando has been extended. The south end is near the Orange County Convention Center and adds a running option for those staying in the Universal/Convention Center area. 

Phoenix. Extension of the Queen Wash Path in Chandler.

San Francisco. Along Ocean Beach, Sunset Dunes is the name of the 2-mile section of the Great Highway that is now permanently closed to cars. There have also been numerous improvements to the infrastructure for runners at Golden Gate Park, including wide, car-free roads running the length of the park.

San Jose. Near the Coyote Creek Trail south of the city, the Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve  opened in 2023 as a great new spot for scenic trail running.

Seattle. Improvements along the Elliott Bay Trail, especially between Piers 47 & 62, with the newly opened Seattle Waterfront Park at Pier 58.

Tampa. A 2 mile extension of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.

Toronto. In the city, there are continual improvements being done to the Don Valley trails, particularly the East Don. In the Beaches area, the first phase of Biidaasige Park opened in 2025. We also added an entirely new ‘location’ for Toronto covering the GTA, with wonderful running routes in  Oshawa, Ajax/Pickering, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill/Newmarket/Aurora, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, and Burlington.

Vancouver, B.C. Although these routes are not new, we added several new routes covering the major Vancouver Suburbs: Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, & Port Coquitlam. 

Washington, D.C. No major new routes, but some nice improvements to East Potomac Park, with a dedicated path along Ohio Dr SW. Also, improvements underway to the Capital Crescent Trail.

Yellowstone National Park. A great new addition for runners visiting Yellowstone NP is the Yellowstone Shortline Trail — a paved, 9-mile multi-use trail accessible from the West Entrance.