5-18-2023 1:53pm

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Marks Opening of New Accessible Trail at Madison Recreation Complex

Chris Connors Editor

The new pathway, running from Ridgedale Avenue to the Community Garden, increases the Complex's accessibility, creating an even more welcoming space for all residents.

MADISON, NJ – On June 3, 2023, residents of Madison and beyond are invited to celebrate National Trails Day® with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event, scheduled for 10:00 a.m., will mark the opening of a new accessible trail at the Madison Recreation Complex (184 Ridgedale Avenue). Hosted by the Madison Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (OSRHP), the occasion will feature a ceremony and a short inaugural walk on the newly paved trail.

The Madison Recreation Complex, a key community hub, continues to enhance its offering with this latest addition. The new pathway, running from the entrance on Ridgedale Avenue to the Community Garden on the opposite side, increases the Complex's accessibility, creating an even more welcoming space for all residents.

While the complex's turf fields cater to various sports activities, this accessible trail allows for more passive forms of recreation, such as scenic walks through the adjacent woodland.

Funding for the trail was made possible through the Morris County Planning and Preservation Trail Construction Grant Program, alongside support from the Madison OSRHP Fund. Visitors can access the trail from the main entrance on Ridgedale Avenue or via the main parking lot situated near the fields.

Mayor Robert H. Conley, Melissa Honohan, Chair of the Madison OSRHP, and other distinguished county and community guests will be present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 3. The event will kick off from the main parking lot, which boasts ample parking for attendees.

In conjunction with the event, the American Hiking Society will provide giveaways from their sponsors for participants (limited quantities). National Trails Day® - celebrated on the first Saturday of June - is dedicated to advocacy and trail service, uniting outdoor enthusiasts from across the country to maintain, clean up, and advocate for public lands and trails.

Mayor Conley extended his gratitude to the Morris County Planning and Preservation Trail Construction Grant Program and Madison OSRHP for their unwavering commitment to expanding Madison's trail system and ensuring its accessibility to all residents.

"Everyone deserves to enjoy our open spaces, and with the completion of this project, we've removed the barriers separating individuals with disabilities from our open spaces at the MRC," Conley stated.

So, come and join in on June 3rd to celebrate the creation of this new trail, opening the beauty of Madison’s natural landscapes to even more people in our community.