FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2006

 

Contact: Elaine Makatura (609) 292-2994
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795

 

DEP ANNOUNCES $1.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR NEW JERSEY TRAILS

(06/68) TRENTON – More than $1.7 million in federal grant money has been designated to maintain and improve trails in the state, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson announced today.

"These funds will improve access to ever-expanding networks of trails throughout New Jersey, including nature trails, trails in urban parks, handicapped-accessible trails and canoe trails, '' Commissioner Jackson said. "The direct beneficiaries of this money are our many residents and visitors who enjoy the outdoors.''

More than $730,000 from the federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program has already been approved for 40 trail projects. In the coming year, the DEP will administer approximately $1 million in competitive grants for groups that operate and maintain trails. Recipients are required to provide 20 percent matching money for each project.

Some projects that have already been approved for funding include a $21,400 grant to the Morris County Park Commission to develop a link in the countywide Patriots’ Path trail system. In Burlington County, Rancocas State Park will use $25,000 to provide canoe and kayak access to the South Branch of Rancocas Creek.

Sayreville Borough has partnered with various agencies to receive $25,000 to develop and improve trails in and around the Julian Capik Nature Preserve. Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Atlantic County was awarded $14,505 to make two trails accessible to handicapped persons.

The non-profit Groundwork Elizabeth Inc. is also being provided $25,000 for trail improvements including educational signage as part of their Elizabeth River Trail Project.

The DEP will reserve money from the federal grant program for the development of future motorized trail projects.

The 40 trail projects were recommended for funding by the New Jersey Trails Council and approved by the Federal Highway Administration under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act.

The DEP’s Office of Natural Lands Management administers the program. The Trails Council is made up of representatives from hiking, mountain biking, motorized trail use, canoeing/kayaking and horseback riding interest groups, as well as several general trail advocates and representatives from state government.

Government agencies and non-profit organizations have until Dec. 15, to apply for the 2007 funding. Those interested may contact the DEP Trails Program at (609) 984-1339 or go to http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/njtrails.html.

2006 Recreational Trails Program Projects

 
Approved
Applicant
Project
Amount
Allaire State Park – Monmouth County Capital to the Coast Trail $8,000
Allamuchy Mountain State Park – Warren County Allamuchy Pond Loop Trail $8,000
Bergen County – Bergen County Hackensack River Pathway $25,000
Byram Township – Sussex County Sussex Branch Trail Repair $25,000
Cedar Grove Environmental Commission – Essex County Cedar Grove Community Trail $16,908
Cheesequake State Park – Middlesex County Kayak Trail Tours $8,924
Children’s Resource Center – Burlington County Canoe Trail $10,141
Closter Borough – Bergen County Closter Nature Trails $25,000
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park – Middlesex County Princeton Nursery Trail System $5,600
Delaware River Greenway Partnership – Multiple Counties River Region Trail Guides for Delaware $15,997
East Coast Greenway Alliance River Region Trail User Map Brochure $20,454
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge -Atlantic County Accessible Trails $14,505
Essex County Department of Parks – Essex County Interpretive Signage $20,000
Forest Resource Education Center – Ocean County Trail Opportunities $12,370
Franklin Township – Somerset County Ten Mile Run Pedestrian Bridge $25,000
Gibbsboro Borough – Camden County Honey Run Scenic Trail $25,000
Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc. – Union County Elizabeth River Trail Project $25,000
High Point State Park – Sussex County Trailhead Interpretive Signs $8,000
Hope Township – Warren County Swayze Mill Park Trail Improvements $25,000
Lawrence Hopewell Trail, Inc. – Mercer County Princeton Pike to Brearly House Segment $25,000
Manchester Township – Ocean County Lake Road Bike Path – Phase II $20,000
Mendham Township Environmental Commission – Morris County India Brook Bridge $25,000
Mercer County Park Commission – Mercer County Mercer County Park Northwest $15,500
Middlesex County – Middlesex County Middlesex Greenway $25,000
Morris County Park Commission – Morris County Patriots’ Path River Walk $21,400
Musconetcong Watershed Association – Warren County River Resource Center $12,045
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference – Morris County Trail Inventory and Assessment $25,000
Northfield City – Atlantic County Birch Grove Park Enhancement $25,000
Overpeck Preserve, Inc. – Bergen County Trail and Marine Access Improvements $25,000
Passaic County – Passaic County Garret Mountain Trail Improvements $25,000
Protect Our Wetlands – Water-Woods – Morris County Jonathon’s Woods $15,000
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy – Morris County Liberty-Water Gap Trail $25,000
Rancocas State Park – Burlington County South Branch Canoe/Kayak Access $25,000
Round Valley Recreation Area – Hunterdon County Trails Maintenance $11,200
Sayreville Borough – Middlesex County Nature Trails $25,000
State Park Service – Shore Region – Multiple Counties Trail Maps $17,500
Voorhees State Park – Hunterdon County Tanglewood Trail Maintenance $1,000
Washington Township – Gloucester County Washington Lake Park Trail Restoration $23,289
West Milford Township – Passaic County Westbrook Park Trail Extension $15,000
West Orange Township – Essex County Lenape Trail $6,859
  Total Approved Amount $732,692

 

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