Resource Category: Trail Development/Construction

Organizational Summary

Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region is the proud home of the Circuit Trails, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails that is growing in size each year. The Circuit Trails network connects our local communities, providing endless opportunities for getting around, getting outside and getting together with loved ones and fellow community members.

Organizational Summary

At Rails to Trails Conservancy, we are building a nation connected by trails. We re-imagine public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Since 1986, RTC has worked to bring the power of trails to more communities across the country, serving as the national voice for the rail-trail movement. With more than 1 million grassroots supporters, 25,000+ miles of rail-trails on the ground nationwide and more than 9,000 miles of rail-trails ready to be built, our focus is on linking these corridors—creating trail networks that connect people and places, bringing transformative benefits to communities all across the country. Our flagship initiatives—the Great American Rail-Trail®, TrailNation™ and TrailLink.com™—bring that strategy to life, connecting millions of people by trail.

They also have a great resource for trail builders – Trail-Building Toolbox

Organizational Summary

Natural Lands is dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders while creating opportunities for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone. As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands—which is member supported—has preserved more than 137,000 acres, including 40+ nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres. About five million people live within five miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all.

Organizational Summary

Princeton Hydro is a small business consulting firm committed to improving our ecosystems, quality of life, and communities for the better. We provide integrated ecological and engineering consulting services throughout the Northeast to create resilient, sustainable, regenerative, and nature-based solutions from concept to construction. Our landscape architecture services emphasize accessible passive outdoor recreation by designing inclusive trails, overlooks, and gathering spaces that go beyond ADA compliance and allow people of all abilities to experience natural areas with minimal environmental disturbance. We integrate nature-based design, clear circulation, and community-focused visioning to ensure accessible, intuitive, and welcoming outdoor environments.

Organizational Summary

OCSJ is a member organization that requires dues. Membership funds pay for insurance and other Club overhead.

Members participate in a number of activities including outreach, participating in special South Jersey Based environmental events, and trail work for hiking, biking, and water recreation.

The trail maintenance crew of the OCSJ is responsible for maintaining the 53 mile Batona Trail and also assists the state employees with clearing the Mullica Yellow Trail and several other trails within the state park system. The crew has been involved with various dump site cleanups coordinated by the Pinelands Alliance and the NJ Conservation Foundation. They undertake trail work every Tuesday from Nov to May.

Organizational Summary

Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy livable communities for generations to come. We envision an America where all communities can connect to nature, near and far. From neighborhood parks to national parks, Trust for Public Land partners with communities to plan their conservation priorities, fund their visions for their landscapes, protect the lands and waters they value, and create the parks, gardens, and trails they need to thrive. Our work results in cleaner air and water, healthier bodies and neighborhoods, and increased resilience and livability for humans and wildlife. Trust for Public Land has been connecting New Jersey communities to the outdoors – and to each other – for over 30 years. To date, we have preserved nearly 30,000 acres, made possible 220 active or completed projects, and brought a park or natural area to within a 10-minute walk of over 322,000 people across the Garden State.