By John Tredrea, Special Writer
Officials of Hopewell and Lawrence townships joined Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, state Sen. Shirley Turner and other dignitaries at Rosedale Park on Friday morning to celebrate the completion of 6 miles of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail within Mercer Meadows, a, 1600-acre park that straddles the two townships.
Over half complete, the 20-mile loop-shaped LHT connects Hopewell and Lawrence townships with a pathway open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Eleanor Horne, LHT co-president, said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Rosedale Park, “The LHT is an example of what can happen when forward-thinking government officials work collaboratively with a community organization with a bold vision and the tenacity to see it through.
“The LHT would never have become a reality without the leadership and support of Executive Hughes. With the approval of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, he set aside funding for the construction of the LHT through Mercer Meadows.
“His contributions to the success of the LHT include much more. His advocacy in the early days of the trail opened doors and gave us a level of credibility that was essential to our ability to attract financial and technical assistance from a number of other sources.”
Mr. Hughes said the development of the LHT and Mercer Meadows for passive recreational purposes represented “a unique opportunity to (harken) back to a time when our county was an agricultural center of the state. Walking along this trail in Mercer Meadows, you’ll see such diversity — woodlands, pasture lands, flower beds. You can contemplate what life is all about. It lets you think and gives you time to think.”
County Freeholder Pat Colavita thanked Ms. Horne and Becky Taylor, the other co-president of the LHT, for their years-long persistence in driving the project forward.
“We owe them thanks for their vision,“ he said, adding, “Our county’s park system is beyond belief.“
Ms. Turner said, “What’s been accomplished here is the best example of what a public-private partnership can do.”
Hopewell Township Mayor Harvey Lester said, “The majesty of this project makes our community a much better place.”
Township Committeeman Kevin Kuchinski added, “I encourage everyone to go on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and to Mercer Meadows. It’s a great place. There’s nature all around you.”
About 85 percent of the 22-mile trail that loops through Lawrence and Hopewell townships has been built and is open to the public, according to a press release.
For more information, visit www.lhtrail.org.
