Self-guided nature trail opens at local preserve BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Rick Lear, naturalist with the Middlesex County Parks and Recreation Department, gives dignitaries a tour of the new nature trail at John A. Phillips Nature Preserve in Old Bridge Tuesday. The halfmile trail was built by the county's Conservation Corps. At right: Old Bridge Mayor Jim Phillips, whose late father is the namesake of the preserve, speaks at the dedication. OLD BRIDGE - Visitors to the John A. Phillips Preserve will now have a chance to get back to nature. Thanks to the work of the Middlesex County Conservation Corps, a half-mile nature trail was officially opened during a dedication ceremony Tuesday. The preserve is located next to Phillips Park, just west of Route 18, at the end of Maple Street. "Today, with the dedication of this selfguided nature trail, we provide new and significant passive recreation opportunities for the citizens of Middlesex County," Freeholder Deputy Director Pete Dalina said during the event. "Whether folks enjoy bird-watching or walking, nature study or photography, the nature trail at the John A. Phillips Preserve offers those opportunities and more." The trail connects to the park's twoand a-half miles of pre-existing trails, and allows visitors to learn about the Pine Barrens habitat through a guidebook that describes native plants and wildlife, written by staff from the Middlesex County Department of Parks and Recreation. The informational book will be available at a kiosk near the trailhead. "This self-guided trail will introduce visitors to the plants and animals found in the preserve, while providing insight into their lives and how we are connected to them," Dalina said. About 35 volunteers made the trail a reality. According to Freeholder Director David Crabiel, the Conservation Corps, made up of area high school and college students, took on the trail task as its first project last fall. The volunteers cleaned up and cleared the trail, then documented the varied plant and animal life populating the area, Old Bridge Mayor Jim Phillips said, adding that a number of Conservation Corps members are township residents. Their cataloging efforts included over 300 life forms, and will aid county officials in developing resource management plans there, according to Crabiel. "The Conservation Corps has done a tremendous job in a short time," Crabiel said. Established by the freeholders to protect and preserve the county's 6,000-plus acres of open space, the corps consists of more than 165 members. Since the group's inception a year ago, Crabiel said, they have put in over 1,000 hours of work throughout the county. Future plans for the corps include the expansion of trail systems all over Middlesex County, according to Crabiel. So far, throughout the county, the Conservation Corps has removed trash and debris from preserved, natural areas, filling four Dumpsters. They have also planted and maintained 450 native plants and shrubs, and built, maintained and rehabilitated over four miles of trails, Crabiel said. The Phillips preserve, dedicated in September 2006, was the first county park to come to Old Bridge, Phillips said. It holds special significance for him, as it is named after his deceased father, a longtime county freeholder and former mayor of Old Bridge. "I was honored," Phillips said. "We're thrilled that they named it after him. As all sons, I think my father was the greatest man that ever lived, so I'm very prejudiced." The 1,700-acre park is home to 100 acres of active recreation facilities, including three multipurpose fields for football, soccer and lacrosse; a cricket field; a baseball field; a softball field; and a playground. A building on the premises provides restrooms and refreshments for park patrons. Although Phillips is pleased with the addition of the nature trail, the work at the park is not done, he said. "We look forward to other amenities coming to this park," Phillips said. Next on the agenda is lighting for the baseball and softball fields, and the addition of a dog park, according to Phillips.