PLUMSTED: Town revisits plans for walking trail

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   A concerned resident is joining forces with area organizations and the Plumsted Township Committee to get moving on the walking trail project the township has had on the back burner for a few years.
   Chris Fowler, of Archertown Road, spoke at the Plumsted Township Committee meeting Aug. 6 and shared a petition expressing the interest in the trail. His petition, signed by 182 residents, said they would like to see an extension of the Union Transportation Trail that runs through Upper Freehold into and through Plumsted.
   Jersey Central Power and Light owns the right of way, and the township maintains the easement, which would be converted to a trail.
   The section the trail would cover is actually considered a “designated state center” — even though it is relatively far from New Egypt town center — and therefore may qualify for a grant, said Ron Dancer, business administrator for the township and a state assemblyman.
   ”We’re with you on this,” Mayor David Leutwyler commented after Mr. Fowler shared his interest and concern about the trail.
   Mr. Dancer also mentioned how Lacey Township funded a similar project through its Natural Lands Trust Fund and Rails to Trails program.
   The trail would go underneath Route 537, using an existing culvert, and continue to Jacobstown Road near Agway. It would cross over two roads and there would be a bridge over Crosswicks Creek, Mr. Fowler shared.
   Marc Covitz, chairman and president of the Crosswicks Doctors Creek Watershed Association, said his association supports the project.
   ”We’ve actually been supporting this for a long time — since the feasibility study in 2010 — but now with Chris’ energy we’re back into it,” he said.
   ”There is no walking trail in the township,” said William Lewis, board member of Earth Share New Jersey and Plumsted resident. “If there ever was a need for a walking trail, there’s a need in this township.”