The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation has announced that Maria Connolly has joined its Board of Trustees as the representative for Mercer County government.
Connolly is the new Mercer County Director of Planning, succeeding long-time LHTC Trustee Leslie Floyd, who recently retired from county service. Floyd was central to the development of the LHT, particularly in Mercer Meadows Park, which spans Lawrence and Hopewell Townships as part of the 20-mile trail loop.
A resident of Lawrence Township, Connolly said: “I am thrilled to serve as Mercer County’s new planning director and eager to support the LHT’s mission to build and maintain the trail as a treasured community asset.”
Before being appointed to her current position, Connolly was the principal planner for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. She is a professional planner with expertise in master plans, zoning, redevelopment, economic development, GIS, sustainability, transportation, affordable housing and clean energy.
“Mercer County has always been a good friend of the LHT,” said David Sandahl, LHTC Board Chair. “And we could not be more pleased to welcome Maria Connolly to our Board. She brings the breadth and depth of experience essential to our project’s success.”
In addition to her service at the state level, Maria is currently the vice chair of the Lawrence Township Planning Board and is active with Miriam’s Heart, advocating for reform of the foster care system.
Connolly holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a masters in planning from the Bloustein School at Rutgers. The American Institute of Certified Planners licenses her; she is a Licensed Planner in the State of New Jersey.
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that has guided the development of the 20-mile Lawrence Hopewell Trail since 2002. The LHT loop is nearly complete. Only five incomplete segments of the trail remain, and all are in some stage of development. The goal is to finish the trail by the end of 2026.
Advancing its strategy of extending trail options to more people and communities, the LHTC is partnering with Mercer County to study the feasibility of the Johnson Trolley Trail Corridor to connect Princeton, Lawrence, Ewing, Trenton, and the LHT. More information on the Johnson Trolley Trail project is available on the Mercer County Planning website.
