First responders and hikers looking to navigate the trails can now do so easier and safer.
Those looking to navigate trails in Rancocas State Park now have help thanks to the work of three Mt. Laurel Girl Scouts from Troop 22017.
Scouts Emma Colucci, Kylie Patella and Katie Troillo started at an entrance to Rancocas State Park, located behind Mt. Laurel’s Spencer Park, and worked with the Mount Laurel Fire Department to mark and map four trails using Geographic Information System devices.
In addition, the Scouts met with Burlington County park rangers and attended a nature class presented by Burlington County’s park naturalist to learn about the park wildlife and vegetation.
With two miles of trails now mapped and available for future reference by Mt. Laurel’s first responders, and maps posted at each trail opening, the Scouts said first responders and normal hikers would have an easier and safer time navigating the area.
The Scouts said hikers are encouraged to take pictures of the maps with their phones, and the maps are also now posted on the county’s parks website. The Scouts also placed signs at each park entrance featuring park rules and warnings against hunting.
The Scouts said they also had a new, large sign posted at the entrance to the state park behind Spencer Park to let more people know of the resource.
According to the three Scouts, the Silver Award is second-highest award of the Girl Scouts of the USA, through which Scouts identify a local issue in their community and develop a long-lasting solution.
According to the girls, all three of them played softball on the fields at Spencer Park when they were younger, but none of them ever knew much about the state park and trails behind them.
When it came time for the girls to decide upon a Silver Award project, Emma’s father John Colucci, chief of the Mount Laurel Fire Department, suggested the Scouts mark and map the trails behind Spencer Park.
“I’m proud of this because it’s really important to do things for your community, and these trails were hardly used, and now I hope people begin to use them more because now there’s a safer and fun way for people to enjoy them,” Emma said.
Kylie said the project was also important because of its usefulness to the township’s emergency services.
“If people are hurt on a trail, in any direction they look they’ll be able to see where they are and guide people to help them,” Kylie said.
Katie said she was just happy to give something back to others.
“We’ve used these trails and played at the softball fields our whole lives, and now we’ve created something that our whole community can use,” Katie said.
Mayor Dennis Riley, who was present with other township officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week, said the three young women had taken command of the land and created a project they can own forever.
“No matter where life leads you, someone is going to ask you what your hometown is and where did you come from. These young women, someday when that questions is asked, I want them to smile and say Mt. Laurel, New Jersey,” Riley said. “You have literally taken pride in your township by doing this project, and we, on behalf of the township and the county, thank you oh so very much.”
