December 06, 2006 (rt23 news) - 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