Announcements

The Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee

Announcements

NJ DOT will conduct bridge repair on portions of route 94 in the general area of Blairstown, NJ. Repair / resurfacing dates are not yet announced. This may or may not impact a portion of trail usage. Contact Kittatinny Valley State Park for specific information.

Beginning on August 2, 2010, the Paulinskill Valley Trail will be closed to all public use from Spring Valley Road (County Route 659) in Hardwick Township to the first bridge over the Paulinskill River to the southwest of Spring Valley Road. The closure is needed to repair a collapsed drainage culvert and restore the trail surface at this location. This is a distance of approximately 1.2 miles. The trail parking area at Spring Valley Road will also be closed to all public use. The contractor will be using the parking area to stage equipment and materials.

Nearby alternate parking areas are located at Footbridge Park in Blairstown and off of Cedar Ridge Rd. in Stillwater Township across from Water Wheel Farm.

The time period to conduct the work was selected because the river is anticipated to be at its lowest point during the mid and late summer season. The closure is expected to last 60 calendar days but completion of the project will be weather dependent.

We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause trail users. For further information please contact the Kittatinny Valley State Park office at 973-786-6445.

Volunteer of the Year

Joy Fernbacher

The Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee nominates Joy Fernbacher as volunteer of the year for 2009. Joy is a staunch, steadfast supporter of the beautiful Paulinskill Valley Trail. She is a founding member of the trail committee, which formed in 1983 to aid the state in its purchase of the NY S&W RR right-of-way for a multi-use trail.

Joy worked tirelessly to promote the Paulinskill Valley Trail and helped to secure its purchase in 1992. She served as longtime secretary of the committee; brought in new members, including horse enthusiasts, and organizations interested in preserving the trail; displayed information at fairs and other events; and circulated petitions for people to sign in favor of the state buying the trail. Joy was the first to have “Save the Trail” t-shirts produced.

After the state purchase of the trail, Joy’s interest in our multi-use state park trail remained strong, and she continued to be an active member of the committee. She continued as secretary for a number of years and procured some of the programs for the quarterly meetings. In addition, she volunteered for other activities when needed and opened her home for meetings.

In recent years, Joy has been taking the opportunity to travel, so she cannot attend all the meetings, as she has in the past; however, she continues to be an enthusiastic supporter in all the various activities undertaken by the trail committee. Joy still finds time to help out when she’s around.

The PVTC is honored to recognize Joy for her many accomplishments in preserving the Paulinskill Valley Trail. Thank you, Joy.