Trenton, NJ – Nearly $1.3 million in federal recreational trails grants have been allocated to 49 projects in New Jersey this year, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

“The quality of life for New Jersey residents is enhanced by the wide and varying network of rural, suburban and urban trails, which connects the fabric of our communities across the state,” said Commissioner Martin. “This links directly to Governor Christie’s commitment to preserving open space, and keeping all of our state parks open, to offer a wide variety of affordable recreational opportunities and enjoyment to persons of all abilities, ages and means across the state.”

This year, 49 trail projects have received $1.28 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s 2011 Recreational Trails Program. Included are a wide variety of trails projects statewide.

For example, a $21,500 grant was awarded to the Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy in Essex County for completion of the Eagle Rock walking trail in West Orange; a $24,700 grant was awarded to Pennington Borough in Mercer County for a local connection to the Lawrence-Hopewell trail; $10,000 was awarded to the Atlantic County park system for a boardwalk extension to the Smith-Ireland Cemetery in Estell Manor; and $24,365 was awarded to Mine Hill in Morris County for work on the Dickerson Mine Preserve trail network.

“This funding is essential to development and maintenance of a statewide network of trails,” said DEP Assistant Commissioner of Natural and Historic Resources Amy Cradic. “The matching grants help to finance opportunities for more access to the state’s open spaces, and also create alternative transportation corridors, and health and fitness opportunities, while enhancing the state’s natural and historic resources.”

The 49 grant recipients in 2011 were recommended for funding by the New Jersey Trails Council and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The Trails Council is comprised of representatives from hiking, mountain biking, motorized trail use, canoeing/kayaking and horseback riding interest groups, as well as several general trail advocates and state government representatives.

Applications for the next round of competitive federal grants are being accepted by the DEP for consideration for funding in 2012 to develop, maintain, improve trails and operate trails throughout New Jersey. The federal funds, administered by the DEP’s Green Acres Program, can be used to improve access to open space, enhance environmental resources, create urban and suburban corridors and provide additional hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle opportunities.

Recipients are required to provide a 20 percent matching share for each project. The funding is contingent upon congressional authorization or an extension of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Surface Transportation Bill. The deadline to apply to the DEP is February 15, 2012. Federal, state, county and local governments and nonprofit groups are eligible for the federal funds.

Those interested in additional grant information, an application form, or who want to read New Jersey’s 2009 Trails Plans Update that offers a vision, goals and strategic actions to guide the State’s trails efforts, should visit www.trails.nj.gov

Following is a list of approved 2011 recreational trail projects:

Atlantic County:
Atlantic County Division of Parks and Recreation, Boardwalk Extension in Estell Manor Park: $10,000

Bergen County:
Bergen County Department of Parks, Van Buskirk Island County Park: $24,700
Garfield, Passaic River Park Trails: $24,700

Burlington County:
New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Relocation of Batona Trail in the Franklin Parker Preserve: $24,700

Camden County:
Camden County Parks Department, Bike Path Improvements in Maria Barnaby-Greenwald Memorial Park: $24,700
Cooper’s Ferry Development Association, Pyne Poynt Park Trail Development Project: $24,700
Gibbsboro Borough, Multi-use trail development United States Avenue to Blueberry Hill: $24,700

Cape May County:
Belleplain State Forest, Vine Street Trailhead and Parking Lot (Dennis Township): $9,900
Corson’s Inlet State Park, 59th Street Ocean City Boardwalk (Ocean City): $5,850

Cumberland County:
Maurice River Township, Bicycle Trail Improvements: $11,457

Essex County:
Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy, Trails Project Completion of the Walking Trail (West Orange): $21,500
South Mountain Conservancy, Inc., South Mountain Reservation Trail Construction and Repair: $24,700

Gloucester County:
Wenonah Borough, Eldridge Trail Restoration and Footbridge Reconstruction: $24,700

Hudson County:
New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, Secaucus Greenway/Mill Creek Point Link: $7,450

Hunterdon County:
Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance, Delaware River Stewardship Initiative: $5,560
Student Conservation Association, Trail Crew, Voorhees State Park (Glen Gardner): $24,700
Student Conservation Association, Trail Crew, Hunterdon County (East Amwell): $24,000
Student Conservation Association, Trail Crew, Round Valley Recreation Area (Clinton Township): $24,700
Division of Parks and Forestry, Central Region, Materials to Support Student Conservation Association Roving Trail Crews: $24,700

Mercer County:
Mercer County Park Commission, Trenton to Trails (Hopewell): $22,870
Ewing Township, Johnson Trolley Line Trail Improvements: $24,700
Hamilton Township, Veterans Park Signage, $19,100
Hopewell Township, Lawrence-Hopewell Trail (Section 17): $24,700
Pennington Borough, Connection to Lawrence-Hopewell Trail: $24,700
Princeton Township, Quaker Road Pathway (Segment 3): $24,700
Delaware & Raritan Greenway Land Trust, NJ Trails Association Trail Mapping: $12,000
Lawrence-Hopewell Trail, Inc., Carson Road Woods (Segment 20-Lawrence Township): $24,700
Delaware River Greenway Partnership, Delaware River Water Trail Signage (Trenton): $24,600
D&R Canal State Park, Utility Vehicle (Princeton Township): $22,000

Middlesex County:
Cheesequake State Park, Green Trail Walkway (Old Bridge Township): $24,680
Rutgers University, Trails Development in Rutgers EcoPreserve: $8,509

Monmouth County:
Millstone Township, Doctors Creek Trail Loop Project: $22,900

Morris County:
Morris County Park Commission, Patriot’s Path West Morris Greenway Extension (Randolph): $24,700
Mine Hill Township, Dickerson Mine Preserve Trail Network: $24,365
Morris Township, Jones Woods Trail Extension, $8,900
Roxbury Township, Horseshoe Lake Connection-West Morris Greenway: $23,000

Ocean County:
Ocean Township, Municipal Trails Program-Phase One Improvements: $24,700
Double Trouble State Park (Berkeley), Grading and Multi-use Trail System: $2,400
Forest Resource Education Center (Jackson), Expanding Trail Opportunities: $22,460

Passaic County:
Passaic County, Pompton Aquatic Park Trail Project (Pompton Lakes): $21,500
New Jersey Geological Survey, Trails Map for Wawayanda State Park (West Milford): $14,900

Somerset County:
Duke Farms Foundation, Conservation Trail at Duke Farms (Hillsborough): $24,700
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, Six Mile Run Trail (Franklin Township): $1,050

Sussex County:
Byram Township, Brookwood Park: $19,165
Newton, Sussex Branch Trail Pedestrian Bridge: $24,000

Warren County:
Allamuchy Township, Allamuchy Recreation Trail: $24,700

Multiple Counties:
Delaware River Greenway Partnership (Hunterdon, Mercer, Warren), Delaware River Water Trail Signage: $24,600
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (Passaic, Essex counties), Passaic River Blueway Map and Guide: $24,700
Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association, Trail Signage, Mapping, (various locations): $13,860