Authored By: The Circuit Trails | October 26, 2018

This blog is a recap of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail’s 4^th Annual Trail & Treat ride written by Lawrence Hopewell Trail Co-President Becky Taylor. The LHT is a part of the Circuit Trails network and is the northernmost trail #onthecircuit.

Ellie Hawger (age 8) of Lawrenceville (blue) among friends with bikes. Photo by Matt Rainey for The Lawrence Hopewell Trail

More than 200 children wearing Halloween costumes peddled their bikes through Village Park in Lawrence Township on Sunday, October 21, for the fourth annual Trail & Treat event hosted by the Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT).

Children 12 and under and their families came out for the Lawrence Hopewell Trail’s annual pre-Halloween celebration on the LHT, which is the farthest northeast segment of the Circuit Trails, an 800-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting people to jobs, communities, and parks in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

Face painters transformed children’s faces with butterflies, spider webs and other creative swivels and swirls, the School of Rock band from Princeton entertained and a magician captivated the kids with string tricks and balloon animals.

 Emmett Parsons (age 5) of Lawrenceville, NJ rides in Village Park, site of the 4th annual Trail & Treat event of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, Sunday, October 21, 2018.  Photo by Matt Rainey for The Lawrence Hopewell Trail

Children up to six years old were the first to take to the trail, rounding a quarter-mile loop on their bikes, trikes and scooters, followed by older children up to 12, who cycled a mile loop farther into the park.

Trail & Treat is one of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail’s premiere annual events, along with the Full Moon Ride, held under a harvest moon each year at Mercer Meadows, the 1,600 acre park located in Hopewell and Lawrence Townships in Mercer County. The LHT is the spine of an extensive trail system in the park, enabling visitors to travel through woods and open meadows, past lakes and over boardwalks spanning marshy areas and small brooks.  These events are not only a celebration of the trail, but also a celebration of community by bringing together people from all walks of life to enjoy a fun time together.

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a bicycle and pedestrian trail and transportation corridor. It winds through about 20 miles of public and private land (LHT) in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships in New Jersey. The LHT is about 89% toward its goal of completing a 22-mile loop. It is also working to connect with surrounding communities in Mercer County.

Harrison Petrick (age 8) of Lawrenceville. Photo by Matt Rainey for The Lawrence Hopewell Trail

The idea for the LHT grew out of a commitment to improving the quality of life for all of those who work in the region. The LHT supports an active, livable and sustainable community with alternative forms of transportation to reduce the reliance on automobiles. It also promotes health and fitness, recreation and outdoor education.

The LHT is a nonprofit organization that depends on the community for support. The LHT is built and maintained by the community for the community.  For more information about the LHT, please visit www.lhtrail.org.