Trails across the United States help connect people to nature, inspire healthy activities, and by their very nature, help protect natural places - making communities more livable and connected. However, there is not a single shared trail in all of Union County, New Jersey. This is unacceptable.

The positive impact of a shared multi-use trail network is multitudinous. Economically, property values and taxes tend to rise near shared trails, jobs and revenues in local businesses increase, and health care costs are reduced as communities adopt a healthy lifestyle. Environmentally, shared trail systems are generally well protected and enjoy better maintenance and care overall. Finally, shared trails offer a safe space for children and families to enjoy free recreation devoid of the hazards of neighborhood street riding.

While the Freeholders have begun the process to permit cycling in certain parts of Watchung, the process is slow and is being stalled by a very small but vocal special interest group that ignores the facts and uses fallacious arguments.

Please let the Freeholders know that you support beginner and intermediate bike trail access to Watchung Reservation. Make it known that you support a safe place for our kids to enjoy nature traffic free and close to home. Put them on notice that the majority share of their constituency support this plan.