On a cool and drizzly day, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation (LHT) and Mercer County celebrated a significant achievement with the official opening of the Maidenhead Meadows boardwalk segment. This elevated half-mile boardwalk, nestled within the serene 345-acre Maidenhead Meadows Park in Lawrence Township, marks a pivotal step toward completing the 22-mile LHT loop.
The Maidenhead Meadows boardwalk eliminates the need for trail users to navigate the busy Princeton Pike, a road with a 45 mph speed limit that sees nearly 10,000 vehicles per day. Princeton Pike has narrow shoulders marked as bike lanes and no sidewalks. This project was made possible through a $1.2 million grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), awarded in 2024 as part of the region’s Circuit Trails expansion initiative.
A Scenic Addition
The new boardwalk is now the longest facility of its type on a shared-use path in New Jersey. It not only provides a safer route but also offers an immersive experience through the park’s natural beauty, crossing through wetlands and Shipetaukin Creek. At the south end of the boardwalk is the Brearley House trailhead where the Lawrence Hopewell Trail connects with the D&R Canal Towpath via a connecting trail., and supports activities like hiking, jogging, and wildlife viewing.
Looking Ahead
The Maidenhead Meadows segment completion comes on the heels of the reopening of the trail through the Lawrenceville School campus. The LHT is approximately 88% complete, with 19 of the planned 22 miles accessible to the public. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation (LHTC) continues to work towards completing the remaining sections, including the final Cleveland Road segment, with a projected completion date by the end of 2026. (Source: Lawrenceville Patch)
Directly south of the LHT is the Johnson Trolley Line Trail, which is cut in two by I-295. NJDOT, Mercer County, and Lawrence Township are collaborating to build and maintain a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Interstate near the Ryder Campus, connecting to Ewing and Trenton. The planning is in the very early stages, and there is no projected completion date.
For more information on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and to plan your visit, please visit lhtrail.org.