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Union County Freeholders Dedicate Nature Trail at Phil Rizzuto Park

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Sergio Granados and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Groundwork Elizabeth Executive Director Jonathan Phillips, Union County Director Ron Zuber, representatives from Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery and the U.S. Department of Agricultural Natural Resources Conservation Service at the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Trotters Brand of the Elizabeth River Nature Trail, at Union County’s Phil Rizutto Park, located at the border of Union Township and the City of Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Trotters Branch of the Elizabeth River Nature Trail provides rare experience of natural forest in urban area at border of Union Township and Elizabeth.

Union County, NJ – Just a few steps away from a busy intersection at the border of Union Township and the City of Elizabeth, local residents can follow a rustic walking trail and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of a natural forest. The ¼-mile trail winds along Trotters Branch, a stream that runs through the forested western section of Union County’s Phil Rizzuto Park and empties into the Elizabeth River.

Phil Rizzuto Park is located at the intersection of North Avenue and Morris Avenue, two major four-lane arteries. The forest in Phil Rizzuto Park is the only natural area of its kind in the vicinity. The eastern section of the park includes turf fields, a large playground, and other recreational facilities.

The Union County Freeholders officially opened the Trotters Branch of the Elizabeth River Nature Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 7. The trail features interpretive signage and a pavilion for outdoor nature classes and other community activities.

The nonprofit organization Groundwork Elizabeth spearheaded the trail project in partnership with the County of Union. Funding for the pavilion, trail work and interpretive signage work was provided by a grant from Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery with assistance provided by Groundwork Elizabeth, the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of the Great Swamp, The Mushett Family Foundation Inc., the J.C. Kellogg Foundation and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

“I would like to thank Groundwork Elizabeth and for their leadership in building this unique community resource, Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery for their generous support of the trail work and educational features, and all of the partners who joined in to help out,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Union County parks system is our legacy from past generations, and we have a responsibility to appreciate and preserve these natural ecosystems for the future.”

Part of the trail work was undertaken by the Green Team, a community youth engagement and development program of Groundwork Elizabeth. Phil Rizutto Park serves as a training ground for Green Team members to learn basic trail maintenance skills. The Green Team also conducts wildlife monitoring programs, water testing, children’s educational programs and other volunteer activities in the park.

“It is very important to ensure that young people in our urban areas can experience nature first-hand, and also have the experience of improving neighborhoods and helping to preserve and protect ecosystems in our communities,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is an Elizabeth resident. “The youth members of the Green Team have done a wonderful job on the Nature Trail. We truly appreciate their hard work and dedication to civic improvement, and Groundwork for organizing and supporting their efforts throughout the community.”

“I would like to thank Groundwork Elizabeth and their dedicated partners for bringing this project to fruition,” said Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “The support from Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery, the Union County Board of Freeholders and many other organizations, is a great example of what can happen when we work together. Safeguarding our environment for not only ourselves, but future generations is something that should be inherent to us. Now, thanks to the efforts of our partners, residents and visitors have access to a natural resource right in their neighborhood. I hope you all enjoy this trail and I look forward to seeing all of the future improvements of this open space.”

“The Nature Trail demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the quality of life of our residents,” said Township of Union Mayor Michele Delisfort. “This project is a unique community resource that will provide many residents and visitors with new opportunities to learn about the natural world around us, and to help protect, preserve, and promote our natural resources.”

“Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery has had a long history of working with Groundwork Elizabeth and supporting their efforts to save, enhance and educate about the environment.  We are proud to be a partner in the Outdoor Nature and Education Center at Rizzuto Park and to assist in educating about the forest in this park, which is the only natural area of its kind in the vicinity. We are proud to sponsor the new kiosk, interpretative signs and other improvements within this natural woodland along Trotters Branch, stated Nancy Sadlon, Manager of Public Affairs, Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery in Linden, NJ. “Our company values are safety, honor and commitment. Being part of this project and others in previous years at Rizzuto Park is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to this community.”

“Groundwork has been fortunate to have broad support in the community, and it has been incredibly inspiring to see projects like the Nature Trail take shape through a collaborative effort between government, business, and non-profit organizations,” said Groundwork Executive Director Jonathan Phillips. “This is a long term project spanning several years, and it would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of Union County, Phillips 66, and our other partners.”

Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery contributed $30,000 for construction of the pavilion and other work on the Nature Trail. In-kind contributions were also made by the Freeholder Board through the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A second phase of the project will begin later this year, involving measures to remediate and prevent erosion in Trotter’s Branch and the construction of a boardwalk in a wetlands portion of the trail.

The cost of Phase 2 is estimated at $250,000. Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery has pledged $74,000 toward the effort. The U.S. Department of Agricultural Natural Resources Conservation Service has also committed $83,000 in funding, and discussions with additional partners are under way.

For quick links to more information about all Union County parks, and all other environmental activities and programs supported by Union County, visit The Green Connection online at ucnj.org/green-connection.

For more information about Groundwork Elizabeth visit groundworkelizabeth.org.

 

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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