A release from the Village Green Association:
Finally a bridge, make that two bridges, to somewhere — from the Lincroft section of Middletown to Holmdel and back again.
The long sought completion of the 4.4 mile was realized this year. No longer does the jogger, biker or avid walker enjoying the bucolic surroundings of lovely have to detour to the dangerous roadway to continue their journey.
The two bridges that complete the loop will be dedicated by the Monmouth County Park System on Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m. in Thompson Park at Longbridge Road.
This represents a truly unique endeavor, since the two bridges were constructed by two different county entities.
The first bridge, over Marlu Lake, was constructed by the Monmouth County Park System. The second bridge, over Thompson Pond, was built by the Monmouth County Division of Engineering. This is not really surprising since the projects’ completion involved many, many entities.
The projects’ fruition, however, is due in large part to the six and one-half year crusade of Lincroft Village Green Association (LVGA) Director Melanie Elmiger.
“Melanie is remarkable," LVGA Co-President Walter Horan said. "She never gave up and never stopped advocating to the various agencies, departments and individuals that were involved in this process. She is an example of what one person possessed of great passion and sheer determination can accomplish.”
Elmiger credited the many groups and individuals that came together to ensure the project’s completion. In particular, she recognized the Monmouth County Park System and Division of Engineering as well as Freeholder John Curley.
Curley acted as intermediary and peacemaker in facilitating a meeting between the county engineers and Christian Brothers Academy (his alma mater) to discuss the proposed plans and air concerns of all parties involved, Elminger said.
"This meeting in November 2010 — nearly five years after my own efforts began in advocating for the bridge — is what took the plan off the drafting table and into reality," Elminger said. "I do hope that the Monmouth County engineers and their then liaison, Mr. Curley, are credited for this achievement, as they faced many obstacles, hindrances, and persistent pestering (the 'pest' being me) while designing this bridge."
With the bridge, The Lincroft Village Green Association comes closer to one of its main goals, to make Lincroft a more pedestrian friendly community.
The Lincroft Village Green Association is a civic association of community volunteers who, since 1999, have been committed to quality of life issues in the village of Lincroft, including traffic calming, safer vehicular and pedestrian circulation, historic preservation and beautification.
For more information on the LVGA, please visit our website at www.Lincroft.org.
