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 |
|