Participants in upcoming Trenton Walks! in October and November will learn about the key role geology has played in Trenton’s past, present and future. They will travel busy streets and tranquil trails of Trenton as they learn about how trails can enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety and about tremendous outcomes of efforts to combat nonpoint source in New Jersey’s capital city.
For those who love a fall bird walk – and who doesn’t? – join Mercer County Park Commission staff on a special late afternoon adventure in the Abbott Marshlands on Friday, November 14 at 2 p.m. Look for more details on the following webpage as we work with co-leaders to finalize plans in the coming days: https://gmtma.org/trail-happenings/
“Our next walks will be educational as well as enjoyable experiences on Trenton’s streets and trails. We are excited to join with environmental, transportation and scientific leaders to continue exploring our city,” said Tim Brill, Central New Jersey project manager for the N.J. Conservation Foundation and co-chair of Trenton Walks!
“Since Trenton Walks! launched in June of 2024, we have hosted 56 walks, with five more planned through November,” said Becky Taylor, owner of BTaylor Public Affairs and co-chair of Trenton Walks! “These next walks promise to add new understanding and insights into our unique capital city.”
Walk 1: Saturday, October 11 starting at 9:30 a.m.
The next walk will take place this Saturday, Oct. 11, when Lucia Middleton, water policy associate of the Watershed Institute, and two landscape architects with BRS Inc., James Lee and Randy Baum, talk about how federal and state nonpoint pollution programs contribute to green infrastructure projects, stormwater upgrades, and water quality improvements in downtown Trenton. This trek will feature enhancements to the City Hall parking lot, restoration of the historic Mercer Cemetery, an ambitious tree planting initiative, a water catchment system and the dramatic Assunpink Creek “daylighting” project.
Participants will meet on the steps of Trenton City Hall on Steward Alley (building address 310 E. State Street) at 9:30 a.m. for the 2.8-mile walk.
Walk 2: Thursday, October 23 starting at noon
A special “Vision Zero” walk on Thursday, October 23, will focus on safety on trails, streets, transit and sidewalks. Leading the walk will be Corey Hannigan, Active Transportation Program Manager with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, which is a partner of Families for Safe Streets N.J. He is also the leader of the Circuit Trails’ Mercer County Action Team, chair of the Vision Zero N.J. Alliance and coordinator of the N.J. Trails Action Network.
Walkers will learn how trails can enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety in an urban environment as well as learn about Vision Zero’s goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. Walkers will travel busy streets and tranquil trails of downtown Trenton with two walking options: a short 1.2-mile loop along the Assunpink Creek through Mill Hill Park and the historic Mill Hill neighborhood, or a full 3-mile loop to the D&R Canal and the State Capital Park.
The walk starts at noon at the Trenton Transit Center, 72 S. Clinton Avenue. Paid parking is available in the Station Plaza Garage at 50 Yard Avenue.
Walk 3: Sunday, November 9 at 3 p.m.
Pierre Lacombe, retired hydrogeologist with 34 years of experience with the U.S. Geological Survey, who is an active member of the Geological Association of NJ, will lead a walk showing the pivotal role geology and geography played in Trenton’s history on Sunday, November 9. From the Stone Age to the American Revolutionary War to the Industrial Revolution and more, the rocks of Trenton enabled the city to make nearly everything, hence the slogan “Trenton Makes, the World Takes.” Learn more about those rocks and what they’ve been used to make, including the Falls of the Delaware, the State Capitol, the Petty’s Run Archeological Excavation, Thomas Edison State University, the Old Barracks and the Masonic Temple.
The 1.1-mile walk starts at 3 p.m. at the front lawn of the State Museum, 205 West State Street, where on-street parking is free on Sundays. Walkers may wish to come early to explore the exhibits at the State Museum (free admission) including the “Written in the Rocks: N.J. Fossil Tales” exhibit on the second level.
Other walks not directly sponsored by Trenton Walks! but recommended for those who are looking for more opportunities to experience what makes Trenton special are:
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- Revolutionary Mile on Thursday, October 16 at 5:30 p.m. (Trenton Downtown Association) https://www.trenton-downtown.com/events/revolutionary-mile
- Tour de Towpath on Saturday, October 25 at 10 a.m. (D&R Canal Watch) https://www.bikereg.com/70335 – The registration cost for all Trenton residents at the Tour de Towpath have been paid for by a generous private donation (just use the promo code “Scholarship25” when signing up)!
The Trenton Green Team is Trenton Walks! executive sponsor, and the other key supporter of the walking program is the Mercer County Action Team of the Circuit Coalition.
To learn more about the walks, including maps and the very latest updates, please visit the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association’s “Trail Happenings” webpage: https://gmtma.org/trail-happenings/