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LHT bike path is healthy plan May 12, 2005 To the editor: We highly support Lawrence Township’s local aid application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation to fund construction of the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail through Carson Road Woods. The bicycle and walking trail makes good sense for community health and safety, and securing funding from sources other than local taxes is sound fiscal policy as well. Even with the best of planning, traffic on our local roads will only continue to increase. Today it is not safe for our young people, and even experienced cyclists are in danger when riding. From a health standpoint, as obesity becomes epidemic, with serious impact on the incidence of diabetes, heart disease and cancer, our citizens need safe places to walk, run and bicycle as part of a healthy lifestyle. The only barrier to this wonderful amenity for our community seems to be a small number of people who have a single focus on maintaining Carson Road Woods in a pristine state. From a little distance the woods is not in our backyard—although we helped with a check to save it from development---it seems to us that the property is worked farmland with a history of crop production, farm roads and activity. Maybe it’s time we looked at the bike trail as a new kind of farm road, that will allow individuals and families to continue to make the land come alive with positive, healthy activity. This would be for the greater good of people throughout the Township, not just a few. Mitch Leibowitz Sue Kirkland  ©Packet Online 2005 |