$157K In Grants Awarded To Improve Trails In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The existing trail path at Kleitman Woods will be upgraded thanks to a nearly $158,000 grant approved by the Morris County Commissioners this month.

Morristown is home to one of eight trail projects approved for funding by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners as part of the county's Trail Construction Grant Program.

Kleitman Woods, off Hillcrest Avenue in Morristown, will be receiving a total of $157,979 from the county, along with a match of $39,495 from the town.

All funds will be used to enhance the current stone dust trail with flex-paving, making it more accessible and durable for all park attendees. This project is one of eight trail projects that will receive a total of $528,265 in county grants.

The grant program's goal is to provide recreational trail use opportunities that benefit communities and improve the quality of life for Morris County residents.

Kleitman Woods is a town park named after Milton and Bertha Kleitman, who bought their home at 20 Hillcrest Avenue in the 1940s and later acquired the surrounding land, which is now the park.

The town purchased 20 Hillcrest Ave. in 2017 with funds from the New Jersey Green Acres program and the Morris County Open Space program. Kleitman Woods is the first new park to be added to the town's recreational open spaces in 50 years, according to officials.

The Morris County Preservation Trust Fund, which was established in 1992 and subsequently modified with voter approval in 2002 to establish a Historic Preservation Fund, provided funding for the trail project.

In 2014, voters approved a ballot question by a 3 to 1 margin to modify the fund once more, this time allowing trail development as an allowable use for a portion of the trust fund money.

"The program continues to build momentum. Each year we see new municipalities who had not previously participated, apply to the program. There are also municipalities returning to the program who have had success in previous years. Nine municipalities have received more than one grant," Cass-Schmidt said.

Since grants were first awarded under the Trail Construction Grant program in 2016, Morris County has committed nearly $5 million to the establishment of 28.37 miles of trails.