East County Loop Trail Opens for Public Use

- Somerset County Freeholder and Park Commission liaison Patricia Walsh has announced that the new loop trail at the 150-acre East County Park, bordered by Dubois, Reinman and Old Stirling roads in Warren Township, is officially open to the public.

The Board of Freeholders, the Warren Township Committee, and the Somerset County Park Commission have developed the facility as a partnership.  Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new trail on September 10.

"The county and township have a history of partnering on the development of athletic fields within the park," Freeholder Walsh said.  “These include a synthetic-turf multi-use field, a synthetic-turf soccer field and a natural-turf soccer field.  The current design adds a network of multi-use trails throughout the park that will connect the existing uses and make more of the park accessible to the public.”

The trail features an 8-foot-wide stone multi-use loop approximately four-tenths of a mile long. Also included is a 26-space paved parking area, accessible from Reinman Road.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with Warren Township to realize the full vision of East County Park," said Freeholder Walsh. "The trail network opens up the most scenic portion of the park to the public and allows for the future development of additional passive recreational uses." 

“It’s very exciting to see this park concept become a reality.  Warren residents have asked the Township Committee to explore further recreational opportunities in the Township,” said Deputy Mayor Mick Marion.  ”Given our past positive experiences working with the County Freeholders and County Park Commission on the Pop Warner Complex and Duderstadt property, it was a natural progression. This area is one of the most picturesque pieces of property in the Township; it represents the Townships rural heritage. The trails will provide a family friendly location designed for the public to enjoy walking, running, biking, or pushing strollers.  After a long tough winter, residents will look forward to and be excited about our late-summer, early-fall opening.”

“We are pleased to have been able to provide new passive recreation opportunities to East County residents,” commented Park Commission Director Ray Brown. “The trail loop is an important addition to a growing park facility.”

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