JACKSON – Around 20 volunteers came out on a sunny, windy morning to rake up leaves, clear debris and ponder the best way to uproot tree stumps for a new children’s trail project.
The project, spearheaded by the Jackson Pathfinders, is a new walking course called the Jackson Jungle Children’s Trail and exists just beyond the Jackson Jungle Play Park on Jackson Drive close to the township’s police department and library. The playground offers 1,800 feet of play space and the new trail would be another course of fun for young and old alike.
Pathfinders Corresponding Secretary Dan Green was pleased to see the turnout of children, adults and members of his own group that responded to the call for volunteers that morning. “The trail we are about to create will be of significant interest to a very large local population,” Green said earlier in the month.
Councilman Andrew Kern, who serves as the council’s liaison with the township’s parks and recreation areas was carrying a big yellow rake and helping out with the clearing during the morning. “I came out to help just as another resident. It is a good day for it and we’ve been looking at improving many of our parks and recreation areas throughout the community.”
Kern noted that the site of the Children’s Trail is a wooded tract owned by Jackson Township and that at one time, the site was in consideration for a possible fire station. That plan had been abandoned, leaving the property available for the new children’s trail.
“This will allow the kids to have more adventures and see nature. It is things like this that gets them started in appreciating nature. This is a fantastic trail. This is an all-volunteer effort today,” Kern added.
Green said, “Many beautiful large and medium trees are to be found there. Whatever the season of the year, walking this 10-minute oval-shaped trail will provide refreshing natural beauty and an enjoyable respite from the rush of modern life.”
Echoing Kern’s sentiments, Green said, “Children will be offered opportunities to become involved with the beauty of nature. By having such experiences, they as the adults of tomorrow are more likely to become advocates for preservation of our natural lands.”
The clean-up represented the creation of Phase 1 of the trail. Sign posts will be created along with a few important signs as funding becomes available in the future, said Green.
“Phase 2 will be the installation of a surface of crushed stone and stone dust,” Green said. Phase 2 has not yet been approved, however.
“The property is within the regulated Pinelands area and approval would be required from the New Jersey Pinelands Commission before work could be performed,” Pathfinders Chairwoman and publicity representative Karen Walzer said.
Green said the crushed stone and stone dust will make the trail accessible for strollers, baby carriages and even wheelchairs.
Matt Lunemann, his wife Marissa, 3-year-old daughter Isabella, 6-year-old son Nathan, and 1-year-old son Everett all took part in the effort. “We are all here working to help make it happen. This is the first time we’ve come out to volunteer like this but it is coming along pretty quick,” Lunemann said.
Stephanie Petrie and her 11-year-old daughter Gabby also had rakes and bags in hands to gather up leaves and to do their part. “Hiking can be a lot of fun. This is more for younger kids but it will be interesting to see to see how it develops,” Gabby Petrie said.
The Pathfinders operate in cooperation with the Jackson Recreation Department and the Jackson Environmental Commission and are made up of men, women, teens and scout volunteers who identify, map and maintain local trails for hiking, nature appreciation, mountain biking and equestrian use.
The group often partners with local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts on large and small special projects.
For information on the Pathfinders visit jacksonpathfinders.org The group can also be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheJacksonPathfinders or e-mail Green at hazzan@optonline.net or Karen Walzer, at kaw920@yahoo.com
