We oppose in the strongest terms the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection’s plan to terminate trout stocking in 2026 for Colonial Lake in Colonial Lake Park, Lawrence Township, NJ. This park is very special - an oasis accessible to all by public bus along busy Business Route 1 just north of the Capital City of Trenton in Lawrence Township; and often supported through the years by generous allocations of State of New Jersey Green Acres funding. This plan is extremely short sighted. It also works at cross-purposes, especially in light of the fact that just a few short years ago the same State of New Jersey, together with the County of Mercer and the Township of Lawrence, pooled critical  Open Space funding - made possible through both state and local taxation - to protect this idyllic park from the incursion of a hotel development that would have destroyed the sanctity of the lake and park itself.  In addition, Lawrence Township has recently spent funds to complete what has become a hugely popular, handicapped-accessible trail around the entirety of the park and is returning paved-over sections of parking lot in the newly purchased land to their natural state. This termination would fly in the face of such consistent and diligent efforts to enhance the park's natural spaces and beauty.

1.     The DEP's decision to terminate the trout stocking of Colonial Lake appears based on an abysmally small sampling of the angler population who fish Colonial Lake. A mere 22 anglers were reportedly sampled, and of that number 11 were noted as unsatisfied with their experience. There are literally hundreds of anglers from all walks of life - young, old, of all backgrounds, creeds and ethnicities - who regularly fish the 25-acre lake year round. As noted above, the park being located on a bus route and in a highly populated and diverse area directly benefits the people, including those who can't otherwise afford to visit parks to fish or just enjoy nature and its proven benefits to improved mental and physical health and well-being. 

2.    Moreover, it seems there was no consideration given to the winged anglers that live on, or frequent the lake. Fish stocking has helped foster a healthy balance between the fish population and some of the more  majestic members of the lake community - including a number of American Bald Eagles that hunt there for meals daily, osprey, great blue herons, egrets, belted kingfishers, and many more, all contributing to this healthy balance of nature as well as fantastic sightseeing for the many citizens - young, old, in between, and from all backgrounds - who visit the park. 

3.     The continued stocking of fish over time has helped to create a positive balance in nature that has had a positive, healthful effect on people. The many, many visitors to the park enjoy a handicapped-accessible trail around the park (recently completed by Lawrence Township on the newly purchased property) where they can appreciate the abundant wildlife - including deer, turtles, fox, racoons and others - often sharing exotic and wondrous sightings with children for the first time! Others are drawn to the park to photograph the many species of wildlife, as evidenced by the plethora of photographs regularly posted on the Friends of Colonial Lake Park’s Facebook page.

In closing, those signed below petition the NJDEP, Division of Fish and Wildlife, to continue the annual and semi-annual trout stocking of Colonial Lake in Colonial Lake Park, Lawrence Township, Mercer County, NJ, for the betterment of the people and wildlife of the State of New Jersey.