The Lawrence Hopewell Trail, now partially completed, provides an inspiring example of the bicycle and pedestrian trails that have been sprouting up nationwide, fostering a stronger community feel and a healthier standard of living. When completed, the trail ultimately will span 20 miles, passing through corporate campuses, parks, school grounds, historic villages, fields, woodlands and local streets. Such trails represent the payoff that comes when dedicated individuals, local government and the private sector work together to design and construct a gift for the community that will last for years.

 

The completed trail is estimated to cost between $7 and $9 million, depending on environmental requirements and final routing. Funding support was provided in the form of grants by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Educational Testing Service (ETS); public support was provided by Mercer County, Hopewell and Lawrence. Other trail partners include the D&R Greenway Land Trust, The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville Main Street, St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center and the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association.

 

According to Rebecca Taylor, co-president of the trail’s board of directors, the idea for the Lawrence Hopewell Trail originated at BMS, which maintains a major R&D facility in Hopewell. The project was

envisioned as a “way to give back to the community that was collaborative,” she said. The project called for a multi-recreational bike path through Hopewell and Lawrence; the opportunity to use the trail for commuting created further enthusiasm in the community.

 

Planning began in 2002 when BMS convened the ETS, Lawrence and Hopewell townships, Mercer County, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and several other organizations. The goal was to build a 20-mile loop connecting the townships and creating links to employment centers, schools, parks and other destinations. Sheree Davis, Program Manager of NJDOT’s Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs, assured that important design aspects were incorporated to create an inclusive, safe and successful trail. The trail is free to use and open to all, including pets. Motorcycles, golf carts and horses are not allowed on the trail for safety reasons.

 

The project is scheduled to be completed by 2012, on its 10th anniversary. Mercer County Park Northwest is the most recent addition to the loop, joining several miles of trails that opened in six segments. The first segment to be completed ran through the ETS corporate campus off of Rosedale Road. The other segments include:

• Lawrence Village Park between