 Key activities of the New Jersey Trails Plan update included:
Plan Advisory Committee (PAC)
The PAC consists of selected stakeholders, including NJDOT, NJDEP, Trails Council members and other representatives from non-profit, trails-related organizations. PAC members provided guidance and insight on key issues and plan content; they were also invited to participate in public outreach activities.
Data Collection/Review/Analysis
Research was carried out to collect current, state-of-the-practice information about trails planning in order to achieve a thorough understanding of trails issues.
Open Houses and Trail User Surveys
Three Open Houses were held - one in northern, central and southern New Jersey. The open houses helped to identify current issues and provided an opportunity for one-on-one discussion with the interested public.
Download Open House Summary (200k pdf)
The Trail User Survey also provided an opportunity to hear about priority issues and opportunities. The survey was posted on this Website and was distributed at the Open Houses. An Intercept Survey - a shorter version of the Trail User Survey - was conducted at several trail facilities on a beautiful September morning.
Download Trail User Survey Summary (1mb pdf)
Download Intercept Survey Summary(616k pdf)
Interviews and Focus Groups
Gauging the public opinion about New Jersey trails is vital in understanding and developing recommendations on key trails issues and emerging trends. Thus, a series of interviews were held with key stakeholders, along with four focus groups to explore trails in relationship to state agencies, health, business and urban areas, respectively.
Visioning Workshops
Three workshops were held to present the results of research and public outreach, and elicit specific ideas for improving the future of trails in New Jersey. Input from the workshops guided the development of a vision statement that provides direction for future trails planning activities in New Jersey.
Download Vision Workshop Summary (128k pdf)
Thank you to all who participated in the surveys, Open Houses, Meetings and Workshops and contributed to preparing the Trails Plan Update. The overwhelming response from New Jersey's trails community sends a positive message - New Jersey's trails are relevant, diverse, and valued by a wide constituency.
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