RELEASE: 11/16/99
CONTACT: Sharon A. Southard or Amy Collings 609-984-1795 or 609-292-2994

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Seeks applications

SHINN ANNOUNCES $1.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR TRAILS

State Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Shinn announced today New Jersey has been awarded a total of $1.5 million in federal funds to improve and develop state and local trails. More than $752,000 has been earmarked for 50 New Jersey trail projects from the 1999 federal Recreational Trails Program. Additionally, he announced DEP is currently seeking applications for $750,000 in federal funds that has been allocated to NJ for the year 2000.

"The money will help us with our plan to design and maintain a premier statewide network of trails that will usher the trail movement into the next millennium. The matching grants will help us offer greater access to the states many open spaces and create urban and suburban comdorsi said Governor Christie Whitman. "These trails enhance our environment, our economy, and quality of life."

The 50 projects currently being funded will allow for the development, construction and restoration of a variety of trail sites in the Garden State.

One such project is at Allaire State Park where $15,000 has been awarded to restore, stabilize and reroute portions of the heavily used 16.5-mile multi-use Orange Trail.

In Bergen County, Teaneck Township and the Bergen County Department of Planning were each awarded $15,000 to develop trails along the Hackensack River. Teaneck plans to open a second section of the planned Hackensack River Greenway that passes through their township. Bergen County will upgrade and extend existing trails within Hackensack River County Park that will be part of a proposed 9.5 mile pathway/bikeway along the river greenway.

In Atlantic County, the Egg Harbor Township PAL will receive approximately $200,000 to acquire land in the township for a new trail area that will be used for motor bikes, horseback riding and other uses. Also in Atlantic County, Linwood will receive $15,000 for lighting along the George Francis Bikepath.

"These projects are a great addition to our growing inventory of trails, a great incentive to get out of our cars and get on our bikes or walk, and a real draw for hikers and cyclists from throughout the region," said Shinn. "We urge federal, state, county and local governments, and non-profit agencies to send us their applications for additional trail project funding by December 20."

The 50 projects, recommended by the New Jersey Trails Council, were approved by the Federal Highway Administration under the Recreational Trails Program as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the

21st Century. Grant recipients must provide a 20% match for each trail project. The New Jersey Traits Council is comprised of representatives from hiking. mountain biking, motorized trail use, canoeing and horseback riding interest groups as well as several general trail advocates and representatives from state government. DEPs Office of Natural Lands Management in the Division of Parks arid Forestry administers the program

A list of the 50 approved trails projects for the 1999 funding is attached. For further information, call DEPs Trails Program at (609) 984-1339.

Approved 1999 Recreational Trails Program Grants