Work closes some parts of Henry Hudson Trail BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer ABERDEEN - Sections of the Henry Hudson Trail-North (Atlantic Highlands to Aberdeen) will be closed for approximately six weeks while maintenance projects are under way, according to the Monmouth County Park System. "As part of the park system's Henry Hudson Trail Resurfacing Project Phase II, four sections will be temporarily closed for repairs and will be impassable until work is completed," said Susan Walsh, Monmouth County Park System public information officer. "Repair work will consist of pruning tree roots, removal of select vegetation, and repair and replacement of approximately 1.5 miles of asphalt." To expedite the repair work, contractor Manzo Maroba will have work crews on-site weekends as well as during the week, Walsh added. Walsh explained that trail users will be asked to take detours as they travel certain sections. From Atlantic Highlands to Aberdeen, several sections of the trail will have detours available. In Leonardo, the Leonard Avenue to Thompson Avenue section will be closed and travelers are asked to detour right onto Leonard and left onto Vanderbilt, then left onto Thompson. The trail will reappear on the right. In Belford, the Earle Naval Weapons Station entrance to East Road is closed and trail users can detour left onto Broadway/ Glenwood and cross Route 36 with the light, make a right onto Leonardville Road and make a right onto East Street, crossing Route 36 with the light again. They can pick up the trail again on the left. The Church Street to Compton's Creek footbridge in Belford is closed, but trail travelers can make a right onto Church Street and then make a left onto Campbell Avenue, then make a left onto Wilson Avenue and a right back onto the Henry Hudson Trail. In Port Monmouth, the Bray Avenue to Pews Creek footbridge is also closed, but trail users can detour right onto Bray Avenue. Once on Bray, make a left onto Thompson Avenue and then a right back onto the trail. The trail was closed June 30 and officials expect the project to be completed Aug. 8. The park system completed phase one of work on the trail last fall. The project included resurfacing and pruning roots in five sections of the trail. According to Walsh, Manzo Maroba was also the contractor. As for completing sections of the trail continuing into Matawan and Marlboro, Walsh said they would have to wait. "From Matawan south to Freehold, certain parts are not completed yet in part because Matawan is still designing their sections and we need crossing plans for Route 520," Walsh said. "Since Route 520 is a state road, we have to wait until a number of things are worked out. Those sections won't be paved for a number of years." Trail users are encouraged to access the trail from the Spruce Street access lot in Union Beach and the Gerard Avenue/Clark Street lot in Keyport. For more information, suggested detours around the trail sections under repair or directions to parking lots, call 732-842-4000 or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com