Residents Invited to Help Create Park Trails

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but every Wednesday we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself.

National Trails Day is coming up this weekend — and the Somerset County Park Commission is offering a chance to take advantage of what the county has to offer.

The day has been celebrated since 1993, according to a release from the commission, to raise awareness for “Trails for All Americans, which works to build partnerships and alliances to broaden the uses of trails.

In honor of the celebration, the Somerset County Park Commission Park Ranger Department is hosting a trail maintenance project at Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater.

National Trails Day is Saturday, with the program being held between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and anyone is invited to participate in the program, with a gathering beforehand on Newmans Lane.

The park itself, according to the commission, is undeveloped, but has trails that are used by pedestrians and mountain bikes.

The commission’s plan is to have residents work on improving and maintaining trails, while also teaching about hiking, biking, horseback riding and more.

According to the release, the nationwide plan for National Trails Day is to establish a network of trails that are available within 15 minutes of every person’s home in the nation.

The pathways, the release said, would then link together as part of the country’s infrastructure of greenways.

This plan is coming together, the release said, through National Trails Day local trail clubs, outdoor businesses and other government agencies.

For more information on the Bridgewater program, contact the Park Rangers at 908-231-0802, ext. 21.