New Recreational Trails Could Be Coming To Mendham: See Where

MENDHAM, NJ — Mendham Borough is one of seven trail projects in Morris County that may receive a total of $1.3 million in county funding by the end of the month.

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners is set to vote on Oct. 23 to approve the latest round of funding from the county's Trail Construction Grant Program, which includes roughly $28,000 for Mendham Borough.

Last week, the board received recommendations from Betty Cass-Schmidt, chairwoman of the county Trail Construction Grant Advisory Committee, suggesting that part of the funding be allocated to the Borough Park and Arboretum Trail for new construction.

The proposed $28,000 grant would help the borough design a 0.55-mile paved trail connecting Main Street to local parks, ball fields, and recreational areas.

Funding for trail projects comes from the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund, which was established in 1992 and later amended with voter approval in 2002 to create the Historic Preservation Fund.

In 2014, voters approved a ballot measure by a vote of 3 to 1, which would have modified the trust fund once more, allowing trail development as an approved use for a portion of the funds.

"The evolution of this program has been truly impressive," said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw. "At the end of each cycle, the Trail Grant Advisory Committee conducts an assessment meeting to develop refinements to the application process. This is crucial because building a trail is more complex than it might seem. Proper engineering is key to ensuring its durability and preventing erosion from rain or other environmental factors."

Since the program began, the Commissioners have approved 54 grants, authorizing the construction of 28.5 miles of new recreational trails, most of which are now complete.

If approved, these new projects will raise the county's total investment in public trails to over $6 million, creating and enhancing nearly 29 miles of trails since 2016, officials said.