Burlington County Plans 50-Mile Trail Network
Burlington County, New Jersey officials have proposed a substantial expansion of up to 50 miles of new recreational trails connecting eight towns. The vision aims to create a seamless network for walking, running, and biking, helping communities stay active and providing new options for both daily exercise and weekend exploration.
- The eight towns included in this central and southern Burlington County expansion are Evesham, Maple Shade, Medford, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Shamong, Southampton, and Tabernacle. - This trail expansion is part of a larger initiative known as the Circuit Trails, an 850-mile network of interconnected trails planned to connect Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties with the Greater Philadelphia region. - A recently completed "Southern Regional Trails Feasibility Report" outlines potential routes, benefits, challenges, and costs for the 50-mile expansion. - The estimated cost for the design and construction of the majority of the new trails is over $117 million, with the project expected to be completed in multiple phases. - Funding for the project will likely be sourced from a combination of federal, state, county, and nonprofit organizations. - Specific proposals include a trail connecting the Rancocas Creek Greenway to Rowan College at Burlington County and another linking Moorestown and Maple Shade to the Pennsauken-Merchantville Trail in Camden County. - Burlington County has already developed over 50 miles of trails in the northern, western, and eastern parts of the county, including sections of the Delaware River Heritage Trail and the Rancocas Creek Greenway. - Previous studies on active transportation in New Jersey have indicated significant economic benefits, with one report associating it with nearly $500 million in economic impact and the creation of over 4,000 jobs in a single year.
