 |
 |
|---|
(L-R): Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is suporting the creation of trails such as the one in Lambertville, as part of Partnership for Public Pathways;
Friends for the Marsh is a project originated by D&R Greenway to preserve and protect the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh (Click on photos to visit each website).
Local Trail Creation Is Made Possible With Support from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
 |
|---|
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is a charter member of Partnership for Public Paths. D&R Greenway Land Trust and Blue Ridge Mountain Sports are working in partnership to create trails. Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is located in the Princeton Shopping Center, 310 Harrison Street or call 609-921-6078. Click here to visit the store online: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports.
Cooperative Stewardship Plan (CSP)for the
Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh has been finalized!
 |
|---|
Linda J. Mead, Executive Director
D&R Greenway Land Trust
March 17, 2010
Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh -
A Vital Natural Resource
At the western edge of central New Jersey's densely populated urban centers, between the cities of Trenton, Bordentown and Hamilton Township lies the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh, the Delaware River's northernmost freshwater tidal wetland.
The Marsh's diverse habitats support over 1,200 species of plants and wildlife. Waterbirds such as osprey, great blue heron, ducks, geese and great egrets thrive in and around its waterways. The Marsh has also supported humans since pre-historic times. Native Americans lived here 8,000 - 10,000 years ago. Present-day visitors to the Marsh can experience this fascinating ecosystem on over 8 miles of walking trails and 11 miles of water trails.
 |
|---|
The 1999 plan was developed by a broad group representing landowners, public agencies and interested parties, with public comment. Its purpose was to set goals for coordinated strategies to address: Protection and Preservation of Marsh resources, Stewardship, Education, Recreation, and Cooperative Management.
Since this plan was developed in 1999, several changes have taken place:
- The marsh is now referred to as the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh.
- Friends for the Marsh was founded as a volunteer group of interested residents, educators and individuals who plan and provide for educational programs about the marsh, and assist with monitoring and clean-up activities.
- Botanists have identified over 100 additional species of plants in the marsh, now totaling 900 distinct species.
- Mercer County has prepared an Interpretive Plan for the Abbott Farm National Historic Landmark, which makes up a large portion of the marsh.
- State and county funding was awarded to create a Nature Center to educate children and adults, focusing on residents and local schoolchildren, about the natural and historic treasures of the marsh. Plans are underway to open the nature center in late 2010 or early 2011.
- The D&R Canal State Park is making improvements to Lock #1; the three-mile towpath trail is now available for bicycling and pedestrians.
- Residents report that the Spring Lake and the Watson Woods areas of Roebling Park owned by Mercer County, have become safer, cleaner and more family-friendly.
 |
|---|
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the role of Friends for the Marsh in managing the marsh?
Answer: Friends for the Marsh is made up of volunteers and has no enforcement or management authority. The Friends are involved in educational and stewardship activities and seek to coordinate the actions of public agencies who have authority over different aspects of the marsh.
Question: What is the role of Friends for the Marsh in developing the Coordinated Stewardship Plan?
Answer: Friends for the Marsh coordinates and hosts meetings of the land-owning agencies for the purpose of sharing information and discussing issues and goals. Friends for the Marsh members have been convening subcommittees to discuss revisions to the 1999 plan.
Question: Is Friends for the Marsh buying land or opening up new lands for public use?
Answer: No. Government agencies (state, county and municipal) own park land in the marsh for public use. These agencies may sometimes buy land from willing sellers. Friends for the Marsh does not own and is not acquiring or opening up any new land for public use.
Question: Is anyone anticipating pursuing new federal designations for the marsh from the National Park Service or any other federal agency?
Answer: No, there is no anticipation of or pursuit of a federal designation.
Question: Who is building a nature center?
 |
|---|
Answer: Mercer County is building the nature center as an addition to Roebling Park. The county planning department has issued press releases during the planning process, and nearby homeowners have been kept informed. Please contact Mercer County with any questions about the nature center.
Question: Who funded the nature center?
Answer: The Green Acres Program of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Mercer County. NJ voters have always supported funding for the Green Acres Program. Green Acres provides assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations to develop parks and outdoor recreation facilities. The NJ Green Acres office accepts grant applications and decides which projects will be funded. D&R Greenway applied for and received two grants totaling $500,000 of Green Acre funds for the nature center in 2004 and 2005. Mercer County agreed to match this amount and purchased a property to be renovated into the nature center in 2006.
Question: What activities will happen at the nature center?
Answer: Visitors will learn more about the marsh through exhibits, special programs, and occasional field trips.
Question: When will the nature center be open?
Answer: Plans are currently being finalized and permits obtained. The nature center is
 |
|---|
anticipated to be open by spring 2011.
Open and download Comments from Public Meetings held in June 2009.
Friends for the Marsh- Learn about the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh:
Brochure: Magic of the Marsh or visit: Friends for the Marsh a project of D&R Greenway Land Trust
Learn More About D&R Greenway's work to offer convenient resources for people interested in getting outdoors and preserving global ecosystems:
D&R Greenway's Sister Land Trust: Rainforest 2 Reef