A $10,000 grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb (B-MS) to the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association (HVVA) will benefit both a veterans park in Hopewell Township and a network of trails linking Hopewell and Lawrence townships.

The veterans park is part of Alliger Park, a 164-acre tract off the northerly side of Pennington-Washington Crossing Road (Route 546), about a half-mile west of Scotch Road.

Following a check presentation from B-MS to the HVVA at the township Municipal Building Friday, HVVA spokeswoman Lauren Rosenstock said the money will be used for "development of recreational trails that will connect the eastern section of Alliger Park with Pennington Borough."

The proposed trail will lead into the Lawrence Hopewell Trail "expanding the miles of trails available to the public for healthy living. The trail system will allow residents to enjoy recreational activities in an environmentally friendly location and is an alternative to automobile transportation," said the spokeswoman.

B-MS has a large office research campus in eastern Hopewell Township, off Pennington-Rocky Hill and Titus Mill roads. The pharmaceutical firm also has a large facility in Lawrence, off Province Line Road and Route 206. Both sites are on the LHT, a 20-mile loop for pedestrians and cyclists on which work has been proceeding for years.

Alliger Park has a veterans memorial and is the site of community events hosted by HVVA during the year.

"The grant by Bristol-Myers Squibb assists HVVA with their goal of creating a larger recreational trail that will run from Alliger Park to the west into Washington Crossing (State) Park" in addition to running east to Pennington, Ms. Rosenstock said.

"Members of HVVA thank Bristol-Myers Squibb for their generous donation. Residents will benefit significantly from the extension of this trail system by having a safer pathway to run, hike and bike ride," she concluded.