State News Archives - Nature: Accessible for All

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

In this video Access Nature Disability Advocate Sean Holland takes the GRIT for a spin on the beach to test what the capabilities of our new mobility assistive equipment is, for our inclusive nature programs.