Volunteers are the backbone of the LHT — clearing trails, installing signage, stenciling paved areas, and keeping an eye out for the many maintenance issues that our heavily-travelled trails need addressed. We owe a lot to these folks, and we wanted to share their LHT stories. If you want to join one of our volunteer teams, shoot us an email — we’d love to have you!
Meet Tim McElroy — a Pennington resident, Lawrenceville School employee, lover of all things outdoors, and one of the LHT’s star volunteers.
LHT: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Tim: I live with my wife Denise, in Brandon farms in Pennington. Denise and I both grew up in the area. I’ve worked at the Lawrenceville School for over 40 years and my favorite places are outdoors.
LHT: How long have you been volunteering on the LHT? What inspired you to lend a hand?
Tim: I’ve been volunteering for the LHT since March — since the LHT is practically in my backyard I thought it a good idea to get involved helping however I can. I do it because I’ve always loved to be out running or walking, riding my bicycle or being on the water. When I was a kid, I was always intrigued by the American Telephone and Telegraph company’s rhomboids which were all over the property we called the Pole Farm. When Mercer County purchased it in 1995, I started spending a lot of time there watching the wildlife — owls, foxes, coyotes. It’s especially peaceful there in winter.
LHT: What kinds of projects have you worked on?
Tim: So far, I’ve helped monitor the Mercer Meadows and Rosedale sections of the trail. I’ve also volunteered with community groups to help plant trees on various occasions.
LHT: Do you do work on other trails or in other parks? Where and what type of work?
Tim: I don’t volunteer at other parks, but I do volunteer at the Boys & Girls Bike Exchange of Mercer County in Ewing. The Bike Exchange collects, repairs, and sells donated bicycles to the community for very reasonable prices and donates all the profits to the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County’s afterschool programs.
LHT: How did you discover the LHT? What are your favorite segments?
Tim: My favorite segments happen to be the segments that I’ve been assigned to monitor. The Pole Farm has great signage that tells the history of the land. The county workers and the other volunteers, especially Kurt Vollherbst, as well as the folks who use the trail, do such a good job that my sections are very easy to monitor.
LHT: Do you have advice for other folks who have thought about getting involved with the LHT?
Tim: If you’re thinking about volunteering, the LHT is a great organization to get involved with. There are several events held along the trail during the year such as the Full Moon Ride — it’s one of my favorites.
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