Community Corner

New Trail Connects Duke Farms To Raritan

The half-mile section of paved multi-use trail connects the Nevius Street pedestrian bridge in Raritan to Duke Farms in Hillsborough.

From left: Hillsborough Committeewoman Olivia Holmes; County Park Commission Deputy Director Cynthia Sullivan; Raritan Mayor Charles McMullin; Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh; Duke Farms Director Michael Catania; and Freeholder Brian Gallagher.
From left: Hillsborough Committeewoman Olivia Holmes; County Park Commission Deputy Director Cynthia Sullivan; Raritan Mayor Charles McMullin; Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh; Duke Farms Director Michael Catania; and Freeholder Brian Gallagher. (Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders)

RARITAN/HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A new trail connecting Duke Farms in Hillsborough to Raritan has opened. The Raritan River Greenway Bikeway Duke Farms Connector Trail is a half-mile section of paved, 10-foot-wide multi-use trail that connects the Nevius Street pedestrian bridge in Raritan to the North Gate entrance to Duke Farms in Hillsborough, and provides access to 18 miles of trails within Duke Farms.

The trail can be accessed at several locations including the parking area on the Raritan side of the Nevius Street Bridge, or downtown via the Raritan train station, which is within walking distance of the greenway.

Locals walking from various locations within the Regional Center in Somerville, Raritan and eastern Bridgewater along the existing multi-use trail or from Duke Farms can also access the new trail.

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"The trail is an important connection to the overall Raritan River Greenway Bikeway," said Somerset County Freeholder Brian Gallagher. "Residents have been anticipating this path for quite a while. We are very pleased that the county engineering division was able to collaborate with Duke Farms so that the public has access to this scenic pedestrian and bike trail."

The trail was proposed by the Somerset County Walk, Bike, Hike Study. Somerset County’s long-term objective is to create a continuous network of trails along the entire eight-mile length of the Greenway.

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Additionally, the Raritan River Greenway is looking to create a continuous open space network along the Raritan River. This eight-mile network will link to other Somerset County park facilities including Duke Island Park and Torpey Athletic Complex through connections to local and nonprofit open space initiatives within the county including Duke Farms and Somerville Borough’s Peter’s Brook Greenway.

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