MOUNT HOLLY – Burlington County has completed an in-depth study into how to expand its network of accessible trails to include an additional 50 miles through central and southern Burlington County towns of Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Maple Shade, Evesham, Medford, Tabernacle, Southampton and Shamong . The Burlington County Commissioners voted this week to accept the completed Southern Regional Trails Feasibility Report. The 251-page document describes possible routes, objectives, benefits, challenges, projected costs and available funding mechanisms to expand the County’s trail network through all eight towns. The full report is available online on the County’s website at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/23227/Southern-Regional-Trails-Feasibility-Report—January-23-2026 The Burlington County Commissioners voted this week to accept the completed Southern Regional Trails Feasibility Report. The 251-page document describes possible routes, objectives, benefits, challenges, projected costs and available funding mechanisms to expand the County’s trail network through parts of Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Maple Shade, Evesham, Medford, Tabernacle, Southampton and Shamong. (Courtesy of Burlington County) “Accessible trails are proven difference makers that benefit residents’ mobility, health, environment, safety and quality of life, so we are excited by the possibility of expanding our trail network to more parts of the county,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks.  “This report provides a blueprint for how to create new paths across central and southern Burlington County, including areas of the Pinelands. It won’t happen overnight, but this report can help guide us as we continue to advance projects that realize the vision of an accessible county connected by trails.” The report was prepared by the Taylor Design Group for the Burlington County Department of Resource Conservation with funding obtained by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. It is the product of approximately two years of study that included input from municipal officials and residents from each of the eight towns, along with various other stakeholders from the region. In addition to voting to accept the final report, the Commissioners authorized the County Department of Resource Conservation to take the steps necessary to have the proposed paths in the report designated as future parts of the Circuit Trails, a network of more than 850 miles of interconnecting, off-road trails planned to connect Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties with Philadelphia and other Pennsylvania counties in the Greater Philadelphia region. Burlington County has already created more than 50 miles of regional and interior park trails through parts of northern, western and eastern Burlington County, including multiple segments of the Delaware River Heritage Trail through Bordentown, Mansfield, and Florence, and the first leg of the Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail eventually expected to travel the 30-mile length of the Rancocas Creek from Pemberton Township to Delran. The report represents the first look at potential trails in the southern half of the county, including within the Pinelands. Routes across Central and Southern Burlington County The Southern Regional Trails Feasibility Report provides details on potential routes for more than 50 miles of new trails, predominantly new off-road paths on easements and right-of-ways, with the goal of connecting Burlington County communities, schools, downtowns, parks and other trail systems. Among the routes studied were potential trails through Maple Shade and Moorestown that would link with the planned Pennsauken-Merchantville Trail in Camden County and would pass by Strawbridge Lake. The proposed trail would also connect to Memorial Fields parks, the Moorestown Friends School campus and the County’s Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail near the Burlington County Agricultural Center. In Mount Laurel, the report proposes a trail connection from the planned Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail along Marne Highway south along Briggs Road, where it would connect with the Rowan College at Burlington County campus. The trail would continue south across Route 38 and through the township to connections with the Melvin and Florence Levin Nature Conservancy and Springville Park. The proposed trail would continue along the PSEG right-of-way to the Evesham border. In Evesham, the report proposes three distinct pathways beginning at the PSEG substation near the Mount Laurel and Evesham border. The main trail from Moorestown and Mount Laurel townships would continue south through Evesham along the PSEG right-of-way and into Medford. The report also details an additional westerly route known as the Evesham-Cherry Hill Spar through downtown Marlton into Camden County to the Cooper River Trail. There would also be an easterly route to historic Medford, called the Medford Spur. The main Evesham Trail route would provide connections to Arrowhead Park and Savich Fields. The trail is also proposed to enter the Pinelands and run through the Black Run Preserve. The Marlton-Cherry Hill Spur would provide links to the former Garden State Beagle Club property and the Evesboro Downs Sports Complex. In Medford, Southampton, Tabernacle and Shamong, the proposed Evesham-Medford Spur would continue east through the township towards Tabernacle and would provide links to Kirby’s Mill Elementary School, Freedom Park, the Milton Allen School and Medford Village. The trail route would also extend along Hawkin Road to link to the Chairville Elementary School and Burlington County Institute of Technology-Medford Campus before crossing over into Southampton and passing through Tabernacle along Pricketts Mill Road before looping west through Shamong and rejoining the Main Trail in southern Medford. Key benefits All the proposed trails would be designed to be completely accessible for those with mobility challenges. Some trails would be so-called “shared use” paths with existing roads, but the majority of the paths are expected to be off-road to separate pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable users from motor-vehicle traffic. This is expected to be a significant safety improvement for these central and southern towns. Boardwalk paths will be constructed in some environmentally-sensitive areas and the County is open to using pervious pavement in some areas of the Pinelands. The report estimated the costs to design and construct most of the trails to be over $117 million. Because of the size, scope and expense, it recommends trails be developed in multiple phases, with funding likely to come from a mix of federal, state, county and nonprofit sources. Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo said the trails represent a long-term investment that would benefit southern communities. “Our County has already developed more than 50 miles of regional and interior park trails, largely with grant funding, so we know this is possible and that it can be accomplished in a way that’s fiscally responsible,” Commissioner Brolo said. “It may ultimately take years for us to accomplish, but we’re excited about the possibilities, and we know our communities support these types of improvements.” — Courtesy of Burlington County ...read more read less