Wetlands in Peril, Sidewalks for Show, Flooding Unchecked Part 2: Sidewalks in the Shadows

Chances are you have spent some time in the great outdoors enjoying the weather walking, biking, or running through our little suburban oasis. While there are many amazing things about living in Berkeley Heights, the condition of the sidewalks leaves much to be desired

You may recall two press releases in a local news outlet regarding lofty grants to repair, replace, and create sidewalks.

In 2022 a press release from the Township announced a grant in the amount of $517,000 specifically allocated for “safe walking routes along Snyder Avenue from Woodruff Elementary to Hughes Elementary School.” The press release also stated that the funds would be used “to construct sidewalks along the south side of the intersection of Locust Avenue and Snyder Avenue, up to Hughes School and to repair and replace the walking path behind Hughes School to Old Cannon Road.”

To date, no sidewalk has been constructed along Snyder Avenue to Hughes School. Sources have reported that the walking path behind Hughes School has been repaired and is in good condition.

In 2024 the Township issued an additional press release announcing more grants for sidewalks. The announcement and scope of work are also available on the Township Website. “The grant application was submitted to replace the sidewalks along Mountain Ave leading to Mountain Park School, from Grassman Place to Park Avenue; although the $1.27 million is not enough to replace that entire stretch of sidewalk, funds will be used to replace as much sidewalk as possible in that area.”

To date, no sidewalks have been replaced along Mountain Avenue starting at Grassman Place. The insinuation that this would benefit and make the Mountain Park School area safer was a stretch, at best. The intersection of Grassman Place and Mountain Avenue is approximately 2.5 miles from the school and the Township made it clear that the grant would not cover the entire stretch of road. Why the school was thrown in there is still a mystery as it is the furthest point from Grassman Place and the end of the stretch of road to Park Avenue.

I reached out to the Township on 9/3/25 and 9/12/25 asking for an update and projected start date for the projects. Upon the production of an email request obtained through an OPRA response, both Ms. Poage and Ms. Viana stated they refused to respond to anyone from NJ21. So, I re-sent these emails from my personal address hoping to obtain the requested information on the sidewalk projects.

To this day, no response has been received from anyone.