Nature Trail Improvements Planned For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Improvements are planned for an old nature trail in Ocean City that would increase its use and serve a purpose to the island.

The plans were shared at a recent meeting, where Nick Brown from ACT Engineers laid out what was in store for residents.

Crook Horn Creek Nature Trail once served as a railroad service road, but cars haven't been able to drive on it for years.

"In the current state here, it's difficult to get a truck down it, let alone a bike," or even walking while keeping your feet dry, Brown said.

The city plans to make the path ADA accessible, and Brown emphasized that this would only happen within the existing footprint, so it would not impact the wetlands. There would not be a new trail, they would only improve the existing one.

"We're not trying to disturb anything that we don't have to in order to improve the service road," he said.

Educational signage would be installed along the path for walkers and hikers to learn about the rail line as well as the marshes.

"This will improve recreational opportunities along the path," Brown said.

It would also serve as a resilience berm and reduce storm impacts from waves in the back bay, Brown said. It wouldn't impact the creek or the tidal cycle, he said, but it would "stabilize a channel allowing for water to go out and drain."

This would all be completed with a $580,000 grant.

"This is step one of a larger conceptual plan for the city to help protect the entire back bay area from flooding and from storms," Brown said.

The project's design is expected to be completed in spring 2024, with bids going out that summer and a projected start date of fall 2024 heading into the winter.

For more information and to watch video of the presentation, visit the Ocean City website.

A public comment period will be open through Dec. 23, 2023. For additional information or to comment, email oceancityflooding@actengineers.com.