SAYREVILLE – The Julian Capik Nature Preserve is among 63 recipients of recreational trail grant funding offered by the Christie Administration.
Gov. Chris Christie approved $1,188,500 for recreational trail projects throughout New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin announced on Feb. 18. The funds come from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program and are administered by the DEP’s Green Acres Program.
Mayor Kennedy O’Brien credited Recreation Director Jerry Ust for his timely submittal of the grant application in order to utilize the $24,000 in funds to rehabilitate and improve 14 miles of existing trails, perform erosion control where necessary and create new hiking trails on 115 acres of preserved open space, donated to the borough by the DuPont Corporation.
The borough owns approximately 675 acres of undeveloped wooded land that includes three lakes and the Julian Capik Nature Preserve.
For decades, borough residents and those of surrounding communities have utilized this property for hiking, fishing, bike riding, picnics, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and dog walking.
This land, which is contiguous to the borough’s nature preserve, will further enhance and expand the recreational opportunities with new trails built by the Conservation Corps.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kennedy O’Brien at 732-841-2022 or email at mayor@sayreville.com.
The goal of the Recreational Trails Program is to improve public access to open space, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, develop trail linkages, create urban and suburban trail corridors and provide sites and facilities for additional and improved hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-highway vehicle activities.
“Preserving and enhancing natural resources and open spaces and providing affordable recreational opportunities for our residents are priorities for the Christie Administration,” Martin said. “New Jersey’s trails not only provide residents and visitors with recreational and health benefits, but improve the quality of life in our communities. This funding will further improve and enhance those experiences.”
The New Jersey Trails Council recommended the grant recipients for funding, and the Federal Highway Administration approved them. The Trails Council is comprised of representatives from hiking, mountain biking, motorized trail use, canoeing/kayaking and equestrian interest groups, as well as general trail advocates and state government representatives.
The Federal Highway Administration provides financial assistance to states for developing and maintaining trails and trail facilities. The funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use.
Since the program’s inception in 1993, New Jersey has awarded more than $15.9 million to federal, state, county and local governments, and to nonprofit agencies. Of the funding available each year, 30 percent is allocated for non-motorized trail projects, 30 percent for motorized trail projects and 40 percent for diversified use trail projects. Recipients are required to provide a 20 percent matching share for each project.
