def #27 02/17/10
GRANT TO HELP WITH TRAIL WORK
TOMS RIVER – Work on the fourth phase of Ocean County’s Barnegat Branch Trail is getting some financial help with a
$300,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation.
“The grant will be used to cover some of the construction costs of the 1.5 mile section of trail which will run from Route
532 in Waretown to the border of Lacey Township near Oyster Creek,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director James F. Lacey,
who serves as liaison to the county’s linear park. “This is the second consecutive year that Ocean County received the
grant for the Barnegat Branch Trail.
“We are one of only 10 selected recipients,” Lacey said.
According to Lacey, the county’s trail planning team has been closely working with Ocean Township in planning and designing
the newest section.
“We expect that construction of this segment will begin later this year or early next year,” Lacey said. “Each section of
this trail is well planned in order to complement the surrounding areas and the other portions of the trail.”
Lacey noted that construction on the third section of trail which includes about two-miles from Dudley Park/Cedar Creek to
Maryland Avenue in Berkeley Township, is expected to get under way in the spring.
“So far we have completed more than three miles of the Barnegat Branch Trail from Burr Street in Barnegat Township to Route
532 in Waretown,” Lacey said. “This work has included construction of the 10-foot wide trail, street crossings, landscaping,
benches, signage and a designated parking area at the Country Lane trailhead in Waretown.”
Lacey said the park is unique to Ocean County and features areas that residents and visitors may not have been able to
experience since they are deep in the natural woods.
Even while work continues on the trail, the first three miles are already being enjoyed by residents and visitors.
“The Barnegat Branch trail will be readily accessible to the almost 170,000 residents of the seven host municipalities and
is within a short drive of Ocean County’s population of almost 600,000,” Lacey said. “As the county’s population grows, the
Barnegat Branch Trail will play an increasingly vital role in meeting recreational objectives.”
He added its proximity to many of the county’s parks is another benefit to those people using the trail.
“The Barnegat Branch trail follows the existing right of way of the former Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad
of New Jersey,” Lacey said. “This is an area that is rich in history. So more than just a place to ride a bike or take a
walk, users of the trail will be given the opportunity to enjoy the County’s history, communities and culture.”
