Category: State News
Ocean Positive and Pinelands Alliance have teamed together to provide training for your staff and volunteers on safety protocols, emergency response, and respectful interactions with participants who have physical disabilities.
Almost 500,000 NJ residents have a Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder or Movement Challenge, yet there is currently no systematic training available for outdoor recreational and community locations on how to provide services appropriate to the needs of these residents.
The free “Safe & Positive For All” training sessions taught by the team from Ocean Positive are designed for land management leaders, guides, support staff and coordinators for agencies and other providers of outdoor recreation opportunities that may include those with special physical needs or movement challenges.
Elements of the sessions and larger support services may include:
• Training in building disability planning into your safety and emergency procedures
• Support in assessing a trail or scenic location for inclusive programming
• Training in customizing program details to meet the needs of people with mobility challenges, developmental disabilities, or other disability concerns.
• Support in building connections with other providers and potential participants involved in the inclusive outdoor arena
If you have any questions regarding organizing or logistics for offering a workshop, please reach out to Nature Disability Advocate, Sean Kane Holland at sean@pinelandsalliance.org or call 609-859-8860 ext. 117.
Blue Journey Unified’s Fall Pool Sessions Are Back, Thursdays, 7-8 PM.
Wed September 24 – Thu November 20, 2025 join Blue Journey Unified at Ocean City Aquatics and Fitness Center Ocean City, NJ 08244 US
Use the link to register – https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/BlueJourneyUnifiedPoolFall2025?rsus=200-500-98adaaa8-a1c7-41eb-b77e-e999c81ae3e3
The South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) has announced the launch and development of a Regional Active Transportation Plan (ATP) for Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties. The plan aims to enhance mobility, accessibility, and safety for all residents and visitors by connecting key regional destinations, promoting economic growth, and integrating with larger trails networks in the future. The plan focuses on undeserved communities and incorporates analyses of demographic, safety, and traffic stress factors to develop a comprehensive, interconnected network of active transportation infrastructure. Prioritized improvements and implementation steps are scheduled to begin in 2026. As part of this effort, the SJTPO invites the public to share input on current transportation experiences, travel patterns, challenges, and desired transportation improvements. Your voice is vital in guiding strategies and improvements for a better transportation network for everyone. The survey will be open until November 31, 2025.
• English – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SJTPOATP
• Spanish – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SJTPOATPesp
The Passaic County Highlands Rail Trail is a proposed contiguous recreational trail that will provide a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathway through the adaptive reuse of the former New York & Greenwood Lake Railway right-of-way in the Highlands communities of northern Passaic County.
The project will offer pedestrians and cyclists an alternative route to access local businesses and recreational areas along the constrained Ringwood Avenue/ Greenwood Lake Turnpike corridor. Additionally, it will make use of interpretative elements to help bring local history alive for residents and visitors alike. The availability of alternative forms of transportation and the preservation of area history are goals of paramount importance to Passaic County.
The final Highlands Rail Trail Feasibility Study outlines the vision for this passive recreational trail that will guide future trail development. The final report was developed during the Spring and Summer of 2017 through a series of public meetings and refinement of trail concepts with planning and engineering staff.
On Oct. 1, Passaic County and NJDOT officials opened the Highlands Rail Trail, a paved 2-mile multi-use path, converted from a stretch of disused New York & Greenwood Lake Railway tracks.
Somerset County Park Commission want to hear from you!!! Assist the county parks with your feedback for there all terrain wheelchair survey.
The Somerset County Park Commission is exploring options to obtain an all-terrain
wheelchair (ATW) and/or other power-driven mobility device (OPDMD) to have available for
use by park visitors. An ATW or OPDMD will help make SCPC parks accessible to more
individuals. If you, or someone you know could benefit from this offering, please consider
completing the survey and/or joining us for a focus group session. Your input is important!
Here is a link to the survey – http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/home/webforms/survey-all-terrain-wheelchairs
Check out this podcast from 2023. In this episode, Sean explains what he is doing to expand access to natural areas for people of all ability levels and how you can get involved.
Sean is the Access Nature Disability Advocate for Pinelands Alliance. He is focused on preserving, restoring, and interpreting natural and historic resources for current and future generations and ensuring everyone in our diverse collective community has a chance to enjoy the magnificence of New Jersey’s great outdoors.
Podcast Links:
Nature Disability Advocacy With Sean Kane-Holland
Nature Disability Advocacy Wit… – The Pine Barrens Podcast – Apple Podcasts