Freeholders will take close
look at trail extension plan
Claim park system project
will proceed, but with
concern for residents
By dick metzgar
Staff Writer

FREEHOLD — While the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders said an extension to the Henry Hudson Trail will be built from Marlboro to Freehold Borough, they said they will do everything within their power to address the concerns of residents whose properties are close to the proposed trail.

Residents attended the freeholders’ Dec. 6 meeting to voice their concerns with the plan that will see a 12-mile extension to the Henry Hudson Trail constructed through parts of Marlboro, Freehold Township and Freehold Borough.

Just about everybody who spoke up on the issue during the public portion of the meeting in the Monmouth County Hall of Records agreed they were not against such recreational trails — it’s just that most of those whose properties would be close to it do not want the trail in their back yards.

They cited potential dangers such as crime that might be generated by people using the trails and the crossing by bicyclists, walkers and joggers over a number of heavily traveled intersections along the route of the trail.

A number of people at the meeting supported such a recreational trail and said they believed it would be a benefit to the area.

After hearing the comments from the public, the freeholders had their say on the trail.

"This is not going to happen overnight," Freeholder Director Harry Larrison said. "A lot has come to light recently, and we won’t move as quickly now. There will be some surveys done, and we want to talk to all the homeowners near the trail. It’s possible that the trail will have to be altered somewhat to alleviate the problem. It is also possible that some homeowners and developers are encroaching on the (trail’s) right of way. We will have to look into everything, but we don’t want to shove anything down anyone’s throat."

The Henry Hudson Trail currently stretches 9 miles from the Middletown-Atlantic Highlands border west through Aberdeen Township in northern Monmouth County.

The Monmouth County Park System plans to extend the trail another 12 miles along an abandoned railroad line that runs roughly parallel to Route 79 north from Freehold Borough, through Freehold Township and Marlboro.

The 12-mile trail extension, like the existing 9-mile Henry Hudson trail, will be open to pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters and people who use other modes of non-motorized transportation.

Most of the people at the freeholders’ meeting said they were in favor of trails, but had reservations about the proposed extension.

"I think there has been some misunderstanding," said one Freehold resident who has property near the proposed trail. "We are not against trails or open space. We are simply against this trail for a number of reasons. For example, there will be a number of dangerous crossings for the joggers and bike riders to cross."

One of those he pointed out is where the trail will cross the new Kozloski Road extension in the area of Route 79 and East Freehold Road. Kozloski Road will be a four-lane thoroughfare.

The county has entered into an agreement with NJ Transit to take over the right of way surrounding the abandoned railroad tracks and to use that right of way for the trail.

The clearing of brush had already begun along part of the planned trail route in Freehold Township when the residents’ concerns came to light within the last month.

Since that time the residents have expressed their concerns to the media, to the county recreation commissioners and to the county freeholders.

Freehold Township resident Candice Smires said she and several of her neighbors on Emerald Court have concerns about the construction of the trail.

She said her primary concerns will be the maintenance and security issues along the trail, as well as liability issues should someone leave the trail and enter private property.

When asked if he could guarantee that no crime would be committed along the trail, Larrison said he could not, but he added that everything possible would be done to ensure the safety of the residents who live along the trail and those using the trail.

Smires urged that common sense be used in completing final plans for the trail.

"We are not opposed to the trail," Smires said. "We are opposed to the proximity of it to our homes. There are ways to get this trail up and running if everyone uses common sense."

In an Oct. 24 News Transcript article, public information officer Laura Kirkpatrick of the Monmouth County Park System said the trail would be well maintained.

She said the trail would be treated as any other park in the county system and would be patrolled by park rangers.

Trash receptacles will be placed along the trail, and maintenance workers will pick up garbage on a regular basis, she said.

Freeholder Edward Stominski, who oversees the county park system, said he sympathizes with the residents who live near the proposed trail, but said there is no way the project will be abandoned.

"I don’t think there’s anybody in this room not in favor of a trail," Stominski said. "I’m going to take the side of the owners of property adjacent to the trail. There is no doubt they will be impacted. It is important that we do whatever possible to minimize this impact. But is the project going to be abandoned? I don’t think so."