Lawrence, Hopewell, Pennington Mark Opening Of Stony Brook Bridge

The Stony Brook Pedestrian Bridge recently opened to provide safe access from Pennington Borough and Hopewell Township to the 1,600-acre county park, the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail (LHT) announced.

A virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the bridge, and it commemorates the latest development in the long-standing relationship between the Mercer County Park Commission and the LHT.

“Mercer Meadows Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the northeast, is a favorite destination of the many fans of the LHT,” LHT Trustee Jill Young said. “The Stony Brook Pedestrian Bridge will provide a much safer, family-friendly way to enter the park from Pennington, Hopewell, and other communities west of the park. We applaud the Mercer County Park Commission for constructing the bridge.”

“The bridge is part of a strategy to encourage more people of all ages to enjoy the park and the LHT by removing concerns about a difficult road crossing,” Mercer County Park Commission Executive Director Aaron Watson said.

“The opening of the bridge in time for the July Fourth weekend could not have come at a better time,” Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said. “This bridge is the perfect metaphor for the long-standing partnership that created the LHT, which bridges communities; state, county, and local governments; corporate partners, and land preservation groups.”

Watson and Hughes were joined in the virtual grand opening by Hopewell Township Mayor Kristin McLaughlin, Pennington Mayor Joseph Lawver, and Lawrence Township Engineer Jim Parvesse. The virtual opening can be viewed on the LHT website and on the website of the Mercer County Park Commission.

More than 20 miles of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail is complete, with about two miles of the loop remaining to be built. Completion of the LHT is expected in about three years.