Tara Shepherd – goHunterdon

goHunterdon receives $25,000 grant from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Apr 29, 2025

goHunterdon has received a grant in the amount of $25,000 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The donation made through The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, will be used to fund the Hunterdon Healthcare Access Transportation Program.

“This grant from Horizon will enable goHunterdon to continue our ongoing work to address transportation needs within Hunterdon County,” said Tara Shepherd, Executive Director. The Hunterdon Healthcare Access Transportation Program, launched in 2020, benefits seniors, who are patients of Hunterdon Health primary care practices, to get to needed non-emergency medical appointments. Working collaboratively with Hunterdon Health Home Medical Care Coordinators, goHunterdon facilitates rides to appointments using Uber and Lyft. “We are grateful to the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey for supporting goHunterdon to address this identified transportation gap within our community,” said Shepherd.

“Horizon is pleased to support the important work being done by goHunterdon to increase access to healthcare” said Jonathan R. Pearson, Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “The Healthcare Access Transportation Program aligns with Horizon’s commitment to helping our members access the resources they need to manage their health. We are improving the health of the communities we serve by helping people [goal of the grant]. The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey works across New Jersey with grantees who share our commitment to improving the health and communities we serve.”

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s philanthropic arm, is focused on making New Jersey healthier by supporting non-profit organizations that expand access to health care, remove barriers to good health and increase opportunities for everyone to achieve their best health, no matter who they are or where they live. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

RFIS Students Explore Air Quality with Support from goHunterdon

Apr 29, 2025

Reading-Flemington Intermediate School (RFIS) students are taking a closer look at outdoor air quality thanks to an ongoing partnership with goHunterdon and sixth-grade teacher Lisa Coster.

Jodi Bettermann, Sustainable Hunterdon Specialist at goHunterdon, recently met with RFIS Student Council members to talk about air quality, its effects on human health, and how everyday transportation choices play a role in air pollution.

During her visit, students participated in a hands-on activity to observe particulate matter in the air. They placed petroleum jelly-coated index cards around the school grounds, left them out for a week, and then examined the collected particles to understand what’s in the air they breathe.

This simple but effective experiment served as a visual introduction to air pollution and laid the groundwork for a larger initiative. In December, an outdoor PurpleAir air quality sensor was installed at the school, providing real-time data through the PurpleAir network and the U.S. EPA’s PM2.5 air quality map.

Students will analyze the sensor data and collaborate with goHunterdon to develop strategies to improve local air quality. These may include awareness campaigns about clean air, anti-idling efforts, and documentation of their findings and actions.

The project builds on environmental work started by Mrs. Coster’s students last year as part of the GLOBE Program, a nationwide initiative that equips educators with tools to teach Earth science and scientific observation. Their project, “Does car idling in rural New Jersey affect air quality?”, earned a “Spirit Award” at the GLOBE Northeast Student Research Symposium.

Committed to advocating for cleaner air, RFIS students plan to use the collected data to participate in the EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program and to support the school’s application for Sustainable Jersey certification.

For more information about goHunterdon’s Air Quality Programs, https://gohunterdon.org/sustainable-hunterdon/air-quality/

Spring Kicks Off Bicycling Season for Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program

Apr 28, 2025

As springtime rolls in, the Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program—led by goHunterdon—shifts its focus to bicycling. The program follows a straightforward mission: “Where it is safe, get more kids bicycling or walking; where it is not safe, make it safe.”

Bike Trains Are Rolling Out

This spring, goHunterdon will organize bike trains at both Hampton Public School and Frenchtown Elementary School. A bike train is a fun and safe way for students to bike to school as a group, accompanied by adult leaders at the front and back. These rolling convoys can range from a few neighborhood friends riding together to larger groups with multiple “stations” along the route where more riders hop on. The goal? Encourage a love for biking while teaching essential safety skills that last a lifetime.

Hampton Public School is gearing up for its 3rd annual bike train, while Frenchtown Elementary will launch its first-ever group ride. The Frenchtown bike train route will take students along the D&R Canal State Park Towpath, which conveniently parallels the school’s walking route.

Bicycle Rodeos Build Skills and Confidence

In addition to the bike trains, goHunterdon will host bicycle rodeos this spring at High Bridge Elementary, Hampton Public, and Frenchtown Elementary schools. These hands-on events give students the chance to practice bike handling, boost their riding confidence, and sharpen their safety knowledge.

Each rodeo includes:

On-site bike maintenance checks and basic repairs by goHunterdon staff
Helmet fittings to ensure proper safety gear
On-bike skills development including braking, balance, turning, and signaling
A review of key bicycle safety rules and laws

For more information about the Safe Routes to School Program in Hunterdon County, visit: https://gohunterdon.org/safety/safe-routes/

Students Bundle Up for Hunterdon County Safe Routes “Winter Walk”

Feb 28, 2025

Students in grades K-8 bundled up for organized “Winter Walks” to school during the month of January as part of the Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program. Eight participating schools pledged to walk to school as part of their “walking school buses”, chaperoned walks along designated routes as part of the annual Winter Walk event.

Now in its tenth year, Winter Walk provides a fun way for students to learn about and practice safe walking behaviors in winter weather conditions. The annual event seamlessly connects walk and bike to school events that take place in the fall, winter and spring keeping students engaged throughout the school year.

Ahead of each scheduled Winter Walk, goHunterdon staff provided interactive lessons to teach students the importance of using sidewalk and crosswalk safety, dressing for colder weather, and how to safely navigate on snowy or icy sidewalks. This year’s “Winter Waddle Walk” encouraged students to mimic a penguin when dealing with icy conditions. This assured them a better traction over ice and snow. The recent inclement weather prior to some of the Winter Walks provided students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned and to practice safe pedestrian behaviors alongside peers, parents, and teachers.

As an added incentive, Winter Walk features a friendly competition among participating schools. The school that has the highest percentage of their school population walking as part of the event is awarded the perpetual Polar Bear Trophy. This year’s Polar Bear Trophy winner was Hampton Public School with 51% of their total school population, K-5, participating in their “Winter Waddle Walk” to school on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Recognition of outstanding participation included Mrs. Silverman’s 3rd grade class, South Hunterdon Regional Elementary School; Mrs. Marciano’s 2nd grade class Barley Sheaf Elementary School; Mrs. Kerr’s Kindergarten class, High Bridge Elementary School; and Mrs. Doyle’s 5th grade class, Frenchtown Elementary School.

Winter Walk also provided the ideal time express appreciation to local crossing guards. Customized greeting cards were distributed to crossing guard thanking them for “Having a Heart for Safety”.

The Hunterdon Safe Routes to School Program is facilitated by goHunterdon as part of the statewide Safe Routes program, funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The goals of the program are: “Where it is safe, get more kids walking or bicycling; where it is not safe, make it safe.”

goHunterdon Shares Successful Community Engagement Strategies

Feb 28, 2025

The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (NJDHTS) recently invited goHunterdon to deliver a workshop for statewide grantees of NJDHTS funds based on the success of goHunterdon’s community engagement efforts in the Flemington/Raritan to address bicycle safety.

The workshop, held on January 30, 2025 at the AAA Headquarters in Holmdel, provided training for approximately 70 NJDHTS statewide grantees.

Community engagement or “Meaningful Participation and Public Engagement” is a proactive process that seeks representation from communities, especially those most affected by traffic crashes that result in injuries and fatalities, solicits public feedback, and integrates that feedback into safety projects, programs, or plans.

goHunterdon incorporated a robust community engagement approach in the Flemington/Raritan area over the past year in response to several bicycle crashes and ongoing concerns about bicycle safety. The approach included identifying “trusted community voices” and community partners, hosting resident focus groups, conducting community interviews, and participating in community events to gather feedback from the community.

goHunterdon staff members Ryan Fisher, Safety Programs Manager, Gabriela Bonnavent, Community Engagement Specialist, and Tara Shepherd, Executive Director, walked workshop participants through the Meaningful Participation and Public Engagement process and highlighted specific examples from goHunterdon’s successful work in the Flemington area to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. Workshop attendees used a workbook, developed by goHunterdon, to serve as a template for the development of MPPE plans tailored to each grant recipient’s program or project.

The goHunterdon staff was joined by Ptl. Matthew Menosky, Holmdel Township Police Department, and Ptl. William Kloos, Piscataway Township Police Department, who both shared examples of successful community engagement efforts from a law enforcement perspective.

goHunterdon is now replicating the same community engagement approach in the City of Lambertville to improve bicycle safety in that community as part of a program funded by the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

High Bridge Borough Designated as Transit Village

Feb 28, 2025

goHunterdon extends its congratulations to High Bridge Borough on it’s recent designation as a New Jersey Transit Village.

The designation marks High Bridge as the 36th New Jersey municipality to be recognized since the initiative began in 1999 and the first Hunterdon County municipality to achieve the designation.

The state’s Transit Village Initiative connects designated municipalities with a task force, including the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and NJ TRANSIT that help implement mixed-use development and Complete Streets accommodations near transit facilities.

“To receive a Transit Village designation, municipalities must create redevelopment plans that promote economic activity around public transportation,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “High Bridge’s plan to spur new business activity in its downtown area with more clean options – walking, cycling, and mass transit – will enhance the quality of life for residents, and make High Bridge safer and greener.”

High Bridge’s primary objective in its Transit Village District is to preserve and encourage a walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly environment to improve the downtown area and create a vibrant community complete with jobs, housing, recreation, entertainment, and multiple modes of transportation. The High Bridge Rail Station, located on Main Street, is the western terminus on the NJ TRANSIT Raritan Valley Line, which takes passengers to and from Newark and Manhattan’s Penn Station.

The NJDOT-administered Transit Village Initiative provides participating municipalities with planning expertise and grant opportunities to redevelop land near train or other transit facilities in a way that promotes economic activity and the use of public transportation.

Other municipalities designated as New Jersey Transit Villages include Pleasantville, Morristown, Rutherford, South Amboy, South Orange, Riverside, Rahway, Metuchen, Belmar, Collingswood, Bloomfield, Bound Brook, Cranford, Matawan, New Brunswick, Journal Square/Jersey City, Netcong, Elizabeth, Burlington City, Orange, Somerville, Montclair, Linden, West Windsor, East Orange, Dunellen, Summit, Plainfield, Park Ridge, Irvington, Hackensack, Long Branch, Asbury Park, Newark, Atlantic City, and now, High Bridge.

Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge Rehabilitation Project Underway

Feb 28, 2025

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission recently announced that a multi-faceted rehabilitation of the 93-year-old steel-truss Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Toll-Supported Bridge is underway.

The project includes an uninterrupted nine-month-long detour of Pennsylvania traffic at the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Toll-Supported Bridge which is now in effect. Affected westbound motorists from New Jersey to Pennsylvania are advised to use the Upper Black Eddy-Milford Toll-Supported Bridge 3.3 miles upstream. New Jersey-bound traffic can continue cross the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge until further notice. The bridge walkway also remains in service as of February 20, 2025.

Major anticipated project tasks include:

Repairing various pieces of the bridge’s steel superstructure;
Cleaning and repainting of the entire steel superstructure and underlying bearings;
Repairing the bridge’s abutments, piers, and retaining walls;
Installing a programmable LED lighting system to highlight the bridge’s architectural profile along the river.

The rehabilitation also is expected to include widening of the bridge walkway to five feet. The current walkway is only 3-feet, 9-inches wide.

The rehabilitation is intended to put the bridge in a good state of condition and extend its service life so it will not need a major rehabilitation for at least 15 years.

All dates and times for travel restrictions and project activities are subject to change due to weather, emergencies, and other factors.

A project-specific webpage has been established on the Commission’s website: https://www.drjtbc.org/project/frenchtownbridge

goHunterdon will also share information on the status of the project via our free Traffic Alert Service.