East Brunswick Is All Set To Get New Walking Trails

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — East Brunswick loves the outdoors. And this might come as good news to everyone who loves hiking.

Mayor Brad Cohen recently met with Shawn LaTourette, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to discuss returning the Fried Industries Site at 11 Fresh Pond Road.

The plan is for the land to be used as a “passive recreation site,” the Township said.

The Fried Industries site is a 26-acre area located in the northwest corner of East Brunswick near the border of Milltown. Fried Industries operated the site for 25 years, manufacturing floor finishing products, aqueous detergent solutions, adhesives, and algaecides. Site facilities were also leased to other companies for manufacturing, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

In 1983, EPA hazardous wastes were improperly stored on-site, and the soil was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and arsenic. Since then, they’ve been involved in the cleanup of the site. In 1990, the site was named a superfund site.

The 17-acre site is planned to open with walking trails. Some of the animal life and vegetation has not been touched in over 40 years, the Township said.

The Township thanked the DEP, EPA, and the local Parks and Recreation Department along with the Planning & Engineering and DPW departments “for getting this project to this point.”

A grand opening of the new trails is expected in the fall.

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