HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, NJ — Hillsborough Township has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Somerset County to fund improvements to a trail connecting Woodfield Park and Ann Van Middlesworth Park.
The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners presented the grant through the Open Space Preservation Trails Grant Program at its public meeting June 23, according to the township.
The funding will pay for improvements to roughly two-thirds of a mile of an existing off-road trail network, connecting Pleasant View Road to Marshall Road and Terhune Lane to Beekman Lane, according to the township.
"Securing this grant is a fantastic win for our community," Hillsborough Township Mayor Catherine Payne said. "Our open spaces are part of what makes Hillsborough such a wonderful place to live, and this funding allows us to protect and improve these natural assets while alleviating the direct financial impact on our local taxpayers."
Township planners intend to keep the current trail alignment but upgrade the surface to meet safety and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards, according to the township. Construction will incorporate a mix of pervious and impervious materials chosen to improve drainage and withstand local flooding and wetland conditions.
The project also supports the goals of the Somerset County Walk, Bike, Hike Plan by strengthening trail connectivity and expanding walkable access to municipal and county parkland, according to the township.
"We are incredibly eager to get to work on these trail enhancements," Hillsborough Director of Parks & Recreation Griffin Dunne said. "By using durable, flood-resistant materials, we are creating a long-term solution that keeps our trail system usable, safe, and reliable for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year."
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