Bike Tour

• Peter, Ken C, Ken N, Myra, Don, and Ham Pakradooni went on a bike tour on 10/5/02 to scope out several potential projects: the Trolley Line Trail, the Yeger Trail, the Dinky Trail, and bike access through Carnegie Center. It was very useful field work, and some good ideas came out of it:
  • Everyone was impressed with the beauty of the Yeger Trail. It was suggested that we have a "Walk with the Mayor" on the trail to publicize our trail development efforts.
  • The best way to get bicycle access into Carnegie Center would be to establish dedicated bikelanes on Roszel Road and Carnegie Center Blvd. Bike lanes on Carnegie Center Blvd would hook up with the proposed bike lanes on New Meadow Road

Access to Right of Ways

• Peter researched right of ways and came up with a packet of information for distribution to the task force and the mayor. Most of the information that Peter found related to Rails-to trails efforts.
• Peter obtained information on the Saw Mill Creek Trail in the Meadow Lands that makes use of a PSE&G Utility Road.
• Peter also spoke with Charlie Carmelts, a bike planner who lives in Lawrenceville. Charlie said that there are many precedents for use of utility right of ways, including Princeton's development of a trail on a gas pipeline right of way. He also mentioned a study done by the American Power Institute that he will try to find a copy for us.

Funding

• Dan and Ken C said that they will compile a list of funding sources and application deadlines
• Liveable Communities
  • Dan mentioned that the DOT's Liveable Communities grant application is due Oct. 18th. This is part of the TEA-21 funding source (Transportation Enhancement Act). Dan was very interested in firing out an application but it was the overall sense of the group that there would not be time to finish the application and get the necessary township buy-in
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Kristin mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce received grant applications for local community projects from BMS' Department of Community Affairs. Becky Taylor is the contact person.
  • BMS and ETS and several other local companies are getting ready to publicize their plan for a local bike path system to link the campuses of several area businesses
• Design for Active Living- The request for Proposals (RFP) for this Robert Wood Johnson grant program will be coming out in November. Dan will keep us apprised of the RFP.
• Green Acres low Loan- Applications are due Feb. 17th for low interest loans available through the Green Acres Program for development projects. These loans are being considered for development of either the Duck Pond Run Trail or the Yeger Trail.
• The National Recreational Trails Program- Grants of up to $25,000 are available through this TEA-21 program, administered through the Division of Parks and Forestry of the DEP. The program is specifically slated for developing trails or trail facilities. Ken C has obtained a copy of the grant application. Applications are due Dec. 17th. This would be ideal for the Yeger Trail.

Outreach/Key Contacts

• Wyeth- Kristin presented the group with a press release from the Mayor's office regarding development on the Wyeth property on Clarksville Road. The press release states: "The township will engage in a collaborative process of pre-application planning designed to solicit community input to the planning and ultimate development of this important tract of land." There will be a series of community meetings. The Rouse company was chosen as the developer of this property. It is important that we make our input clear in this process
• Myra suggested that we pull together a consortium of local businesses to help fund alternative transportation projects (e.g., Wyeth, Sarnoff, Carnegie Center, BMS)
• Myra also suggested that we do more to publicize our efforts and plans. Possibilities include future press releases, articles in community newsletters, postings on the WW-P Today web site, surveys, events. The Yeger walk with the mayor would be a good publicity event.
• Alison suggested that we also should make presentations to SPRAB, the Planning Board, the Environmental Commission and make the proposed Bike/Trail Map part of the Township's future planning.
• It was also discussed that whatever projects we propose, we need to be sure to get the backing of local communities.
• Dan mentioned that his friend, Jerry Fennelly, a local Real Estate Broker, has a lot of contacts at the Carnegie Center and may be able to help set up a meeting with Boston Properties to discuss bicycle access issues.

Projects/Planning

• Dinky trail and bike/ped bridge
  • Alison reported that the memo advocating the bike/ped bridge over Rt.1 was distributed at today's EIS meeting
  • Ken C explained the concept of the two spur trails of the Dinky trail- one trail would go along the D&R Canal and the second would go through Carnegie Center. There is an existing right of way in Canal Pointe and Princeton Overlook for a recreational path
  • The D&R Greenway just got a grant to extend the Canal path on the WW side from Alexander Road to Plainsboro
  • Peter Bilton mentioned that Sam Surtees was informed that the Dinky railroad bridge over the Canal is slated to be replaced.
• Yeger Trail
  • The best funding source will likely be the DEP Trail development Grant
  • We will need a resolution from the town council in support of the trail- Kristin said to get this in as soon as possible
  • We are interested in doing a "Walk with the Mayor" on the Yeger Trail to help publicize our efforts. It was discussed that we should wait until we own the land before doing the walk with the mayor.
  • Jim Parvese offered to help us with cost estimates for the trail. We will need to measure the trail distance.
  • Ken C spoke to Renee Jones at Green Acres and Linda Mead of D&R Greenway. They are both very involved in the Crossroads of the Revolution project and both were very supportive of trail development on Yeger and offered to write letters in support of our grant application. Renee Jones would like to meet with us to discuss this project as well as the Dinky trail project
  • It was suggested that we should seek input on such a trail from neighbors who live in the vicinity of the Yeger Trail.

Action Items

• Charlie Carmalts contact information- Peter
• Jerry Fennelly (sp?) contact information and/or help with setting up a meeting with Boston Properties to discuss bicycle access- Dan
• Compile a list of funding sources and application deadlines- Dan and Ken C
• Obtain a copy of the Bristol Myers Squibb Community grant application- Kristin or Ken C

Upcoming Meetings:

• FOWWOS: Oct. 15th, 7:30 PM Municipal Center- Ken & Ken will present on plans for current Bicycle/recreational Trail projects
• Recreation Commission- Thursday, 10/17, 7:30 PM Municipal Center. Ken or Ken will present on plans for development of the Yeger Trail
• RTBC- Thursday, Oct. 24th, 7:30 PM
• Penns Neck EIS: Thursday, Oct. 23rd, 5-8 PM, WW Senior Center
• Next Task Force Mtg: Thursday, Nov. 14th, 7:30 PM