+BMSquared Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 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 - Capital to the Coast Trail $8,000 Monmouth County Allamuchy Mountain Allamuchy Pond Loop Trail $8,000 State Park - Warren County Bergen County - Hackensack River Pathway $25,000 Bergen County Byram Township - Sussex Branch Trail Repair $25,000 Sussex County Cedar Grove Environmental Cedar Grove Community Trail $16,908 Commission - Essex County Cheesequake State Park - Kayak Trail Tours $8,924 Middlesex County Children's Resource Center - Canoe Trail $10,141 Burlington County Closter Borough - Closter Nature Trails $25,000 Bergen County Delaware and Raritan Princeton Nursery Trail System$5,600 Canal State Park - Middlesex County Delaware River Greenway Trail Guides for Delaware $15,997 Partnership - Multiple Counties River Region East Coast Greenway Alliance Trail User Map Brochure $20,454 River Region Edwin B. Forsythe National Accessible Trails $14,505 Wildlife Refuge -Atlantic County Essex County Department Interpretive Signage $20,000 of Parks - Essex County Forest Resource Education Trail Opportunities $12,370 Center - Ocean County Franklin Township - Ten Mile Run Pedestrian $25,000 Somerset County Bridge Gibbsboro Borough - Honey Run Scenic Trail $25,000 Camden County Groundwork Elizabeth, Elizabeth River Trail Project $25,000 Inc. - Union County High Point State Park Trailhead Interpretive Signs $8,000 - Sussex County Hope Township - Swayze Mill Park Trail $25,000 Warren County Improvements Lawrence Hopewell Trail, Princeton Pike to Brearly $25,000 Inc. - Mercer County House Segment Manchester Township - Lake Road Bike Path - $20,000 Ocean County Phase II Mendham Township India Brook Bridge $25,000 Environmental Commission - Morris County Mercer County Park Mercer County Park $15,500 Commission - Mercer County Northwest Middlesex County - Middlesex Greenway $25,000 Middlesex County Morris County Park Patriots' Path River Walk $21,400 Commission - Morris County Musconetcong Watershed River Resource Center $12,045 Association - Warren County New York-New Jersey Trail Inventory and $25,000 Trail Conference - Morris County Assessment Northfield City - Birch Grove Park $25,000 Atlantic County Enhancement Overpeck Preserve, Inc. Trail and Marine Access $25,000 - Bergen County Improvements Passaic County - Garret Mountain Trail $25,000 Passaic County Improvements Protect Our Wetlands- Jonathon's Woods $15,000 Water-Woods - Morris County Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Liberty-Water Gap Trail $25,000 - Morris County Rancocas State Park - South Branch Canoe/ $25,000 Burlington County Kayak Access Round Valley Recreation Trails Maintenance $11,200 Area - Hunterdon County Sayreville Borough - Nature Trails $25,000 Middlesex County State Park Service - Trail Maps $17,500 Shore Region - Multiple Counties Voorhees State Park - Tanglewood Trail $1,000 Hunterdon County Maintenance Washington Township - Washington Lake Park $23,289 Gloucester County Trail Restoration West Milford Township - Westbrook Park Trail $15,000 Passaic County Extension West Orange Township - Lenape Trail $6,859 Essex County Total Approved Amount $732,692 Quote Link to comment
+Wayfinders Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 My company put a bid in to Morris County last month to locate and map some trails. I was just giddy with excitement.......you want to PAY ME to walk the trails???? I came in very low with my quote but those numbers go through a review process here before the bid is submitted. Man I hope I get that job! We just picked up a brandy new Trimble PRO HX GPS unit with a Coast Gaurd NAV beacon. This unit enables us to locate the trails with sub meter accuracy. Sweet. Quote Link to comment
+Packanack Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Count me in the doubting Thomas side. Quote Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 I love the sight of the NY skyline in the distance.... Quote Link to comment
+IV_Warrior Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 This unit enables us to locate the trails with sub meter accuracy. Sweet. Or hide caches and laugh at anyone who says your coords are off. Quote Link to comment
+Packanack Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 (edited) http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index....xml&coll=1 Be careful what you wish for. I had voiced some doubt when I saw the original post. It has been my experience that NJ has no clue as to how a trail system should be developed or maintained. I remember very cleary riding a rails to trails conversion where the State had dumped trap rock onto it thinking that is how it was supposed to be done. Edited December 22, 2006 by Packanack Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.