Burlington County officials have approved a feasibility study to explore extending the Kinkora Trail, which could further expand the county’s regional trail system. The County Commissioners recently accepted a $50,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to fund this study.
The proposed extension would add 3.25 miles to the current Kinkora Trail, which now runs for 2.15 miles from Island Road in Mansfield’s farm area to Mansfield Community Park in Columbus. The study will focus on continuing the trail from the park to Hedding, connecting with part of the Delaware River Heritage Trail that passes through Florence, Mansfield and Bordentown.
Plans call for most of the new segment to be a 10-foot wide asphalt path designed for pedestrians, runners, cyclists and wheelchair users.
“Burlington County already has one of the best trail networks in New Jersey with more than 50 miles of regional and interior parks trails, so we’re excited about this opportunity to further expand our system,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, who serves as liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “Extending the Kinkora Trail will provide a direct link between Mansfield Community Park and the village of Columbus to the Heritage Trail, Crystal Lake Park and historic Roebling. It will enhance all these destinations and provide residents more options to safely move around our county and benefit from outdoor recreation.”
The planned extension would largely follow an old railroad corridor once used by soldiers and freight trains heading to Fort Dix during both World Wars. The county completed its first section along this route in 2016.
Officials hope eventually to extend the trail across all 13 miles of former rail line through Mansfield, Springfield and Pemberton Township.
“The Kinkora Trail was one of the first additions to our County trail network and we’re excited to move forward with planning and design to extend it further through Mansfield,” said Commissioner Randy Brolo. “Trails are smart investments that enhance quality of life, mobility, and pedestrian and bicycle safety in our county and communities. They are also proven to help boost economic growth and increase property values.”
The Kinkora Trail is among several projects aimed at growing safe pedestrian and bike routes throughout Burlington County—New Jersey’s largest county by area at 827 square miles according to its official website. Over $19 million in grants have been received for such initiatives.
Recent projects include: a four-mile segment of Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail linking Amico Island Park in Delran with Pennington Park in Delanco; a new 5.5-mile stretch of Delaware River Heritage Trail between Roebling and Bordentown City; a 2.2-mile accessible asphalt loop around Arney’s Mount in Springfield; plus nearly 2.5 miles of equestrian turf trails along Arney’s Mount base.
Several other projects are being planned or designed: extensions for Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail toward Willingboro Lakes Park; new links within Willingboro; longer segments for Delaware River Heritage Trail reaching towns like Florence, Edgewater Park, Beverly; as well as expanded connections near Historic Smithville Park—a forested site spanning over 300 acres (official website).
Additionally, possible routes for another 50 miles of trails across various townships—including Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Evesham—are under review.
“Burlington County is a leader in preserving open space and we know the importance of having outdoor spaces that people of all ages can visit to relax, play, exercise and experience the beauty of our natural world and surroundings,” Eckel added. “Trails make these spaces accessible for everyone.”
