To the Editor:

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) thanks the 140 friends who attended our sold-out Founders, Friends & the Future dinner at the Chauncey Conference Center on November 13. We honored Becky Taylor and Eleanor Horne, our visionary founders who created the 22-mile LHT 20 years ago, connecting people and communities in Mercer County.

Proclamations and heartfelt tributes were offered by public officials who have long been supporters of the LHT and admirers of our founders. State Sen. Shirley Turner, Assembly Member Anthony Verrelli, and Mercer County Commissioners Nina Melker and Kristen McLaughlin stepped to the microphone and lavished thanks and praise on Eleanor and Becky. Gov. Phil Murphy, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Congressman Andy Kim offered video tributes. Mercer County Executive-Elect Dan Benson unveiled a sign depicting the historic accomplishments of Becky and Eleanor that will be placed permanently on the LHT.

We launched the Johnson Trolley Trail Corridor project, a safe pedestrian-bike route that will link the LHT to the City of Trenton, Ewing and Lawrence Townships, and the Municipality of Princeton. A long-sought pedestrian bike bridge crossing I-295 is central to the project.

We are grateful for the support we have received from the many public and private land owners, officials, volunteers, and donors who made the LHT a reality. This includes our longtime supporters, Bristol Myers Squibb and ETS, Mercer County, the Mercer County Park Commission, Lawrence and Hopewell Townships, the D & R Greenway, the Lawrenceville School, foundations, and private donors. We are particularly appreciative of the sponsors who made this evening so memorable: The Bov Foundation, Capital Health, Lennar, Mathematica, Mercadien, NJM Insurance Group, Pedego Princeton, The Princeton Area Community Foundation, Stevens & Lee, and The Whole Earth Center.

Hosting more than 100,000 visits each year, the LHT was built by the community for the community. We expect to complete the last short segments of the originally imagined 22-mile loop for 2026, America’s 250th birthday year. Visit lhtrail.org to learn more about the LHT, participate in experiences like the annual Full Moon Ride, and help us build new connections to serve more people.

See you on the LHT.

DAVID SANDAHL
Chair, LHT
LISA SERIEYSSOL
Executive Director, LHT
Blackwell Road, Pennington