New Jersey Future recognizes biking, walking trail

Representatives of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and the organizations helping to create it -- Bristol-Myers Squibb, ETS, Hopewell and Lawrence Townships and Mercer County government -- took to the stage at the Newark Museum last night to accept a Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future.

They were among seven entities receiving The Smart Growth Awards, which “shine a well-deserved spotlight on the municipal officials, developers, contractors, architects and corporations with the courage to initiate projects and growth patterns that help strengthen New Jersey’s economic, social and environmental future,” according to New Jersey Future.

The LHT won the prestigious award for its grass-roots-driven effort to provide a means of connecting to communities, businesses, and public spaces throughout the region without an automobile. The LHT makes bicycling and walking safe, convenient, fun, it offers immensely practical transportation choices, and creates multiple recreation opportunities and commuting alternatives for area residents.

To view the New Jersey Future video about the LHT shown at last night’s awards ceremony, please go to: https://www.njfuture.org/smart-growth-101/smart-growth-awards/2019-smart-growth-award-winners/lawrence-hopewell-trail/.

About the Lawrence Hopewell Trail

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) is a 22+ mile bicycle and pedestrian trail and transportation corridor through public and private land in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships in Mercer County, N.J. The LHT supports an active, livable and sustainable community with alternative forms of transportation to reduce the reliance on automobiles. It also promotes health and fitness, recreation and outdoor education. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation is a nonprofit organization that depends on the community for support. The LHT is a key member of the Circuit Trails, an 850-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting people to jobs, communities, and parks in the Greater Philadelphia Region. For more information about the LHT, please visit www.lhtrail.org.

Photo caption: At the New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award ceremony at the Newark Museum, representatives of the organizations creating the Lawrence Hopewell Trail are honored. Joining them is New Jersey Future Executive Director Peter Kasabach, far left, and accepting the award are, left to right, Mark Tolo from ETS; John Murray from Bristol-Myers Squibb; Mercer County Planner Leslie Floyd from Mercer County; Mayor Christopher Bobbitt from Lawrence Township, Mayor Kristin McLaughlin from Hopewell Township, LHT Co-Presidents Becky Taylor and Eleanor Horne.