September 11th National Memorial trail, WM, form community partnership

Waste Management presents a 50,000-dollar check to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance at Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center in Washington Crossing on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.
Waste Management presents a 50,000-dollar check to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance at Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center in Washington Crossing on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.

The September 11th National Memorial Trail— a solemn, 1,300 mile multi-use route that links the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 Memorial — has a new partner as it looks to increase awareness and community ties.

To jump-start those efforts, energy resource conglomerate WM (formerly Waste Management) donated $50,000 in support of aligning the September 11th National Memorial Trail in Plainfield in New Jersey as part of an ongoing effort to connect communities to the trail.

WM presented the check and pledged a formal commitment during ceremonies at Washington Crossing Historic State Park in Upper Makefield. The trail runs through Washington Crossing and the park.

In Bucks County, the trail largely runs along the Delaware River from Morrisville to Carversville. Part of the trail also takes visitors to the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, the official Pennsylvania memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks.

From Carversville, the trail crosses through various Bucks County communities before crossing into Montgomery County.

Back in New Jersey, a portion of the trail currently reaches Plainfield via Route 512. There, the trail splits and becomes multi-use. WM's Grand Central Landfill is also located in Plainfield.

The September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance also established an interactive map and tool of the entire trail.

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WM has a long history and sprawling footprint here in Bucks County, where it operates several landfills and recycling facilities.

"As a major employer, landowner and member of many communities across the Greater Mid-Atlantic region, WM continues to work for a more sustainable tomorrow," said WM spokesperson Adrienne Fors. "We are committed to making positive social impacts through environmental education and conservation.

"This allows us to dedicate resources to fund programs that make a difference in people’s lives."

Trail origins:Bucks, Montgomery counties part of planned 1,300-mile 9/11 memorial trail

Board chair Andrew Hamilton makes the closing remarks at Waste Management's check presentation to the alliance at Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center in Washington Crossing on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.
Board chair Andrew Hamilton makes the closing remarks at Waste Management's check presentation to the alliance at Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center in Washington Crossing on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.

The nonprofit September 11th National Memorial Trail established the route in 2002; however, roughly 50% of the trail is off-road. Trail organizers have been working with state and federal officials on more than a dozen projects designed to connect more than 30 trails.

In 2017, Bucks County Commissioners commissioners approved a resolution in support of the September 11th National Memorial Trail. The planned 1,300-mile circuit will loop through Shanksville, Pennsylvania, New York City and Washington, D.C.

On October 13, President Joe Biden signed H.R. 2278 bipartisan legislation to designate the 9/11 National Memorial Trail.

"20 years ago, I envisioned a federally designated 9/11 Trail that would commemorate that tragic day for future generations," said September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance founder David G. Brickley said at the time. "Now that opportunity is here and we are truly appreciative and excited to see this legislative process unfold within the 20-year anniversary of 9/11."

More photos:Photos: September 11th National Memorial Trail designated as a Statewide Major Greenway

Commissioner Robert J. Harvie, Jr. poses for a portrait with guests after Waste Management's check presentation to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance at Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center in Washington Crossing on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.
Commissioner Robert J. Harvie, Jr. poses for a portrait with guests after Waste Management's check presentation to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance at Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center in Washington Crossing on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.

​The nation's three September 11th memorial sites serve to honor the lives lost that day while educating current and future generations about the events of the day and the nation's response to them. The memorials form the three points of our roughly triangle-shaped trail.

"Working together, the vision for the future aligns in supporting the development of a trail in several communities throughout the Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland New York, Virginia and Washington DC areas," said September 11th National Memorial Trail chairperson Andy Hamilton. "The September 11th National Memorial Trail is honored for this partnership. The trail is the newest nationally legislated trail in the United States and signed into law on October 13th 2021."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: September 11th National Memorial trail, WM, form community partnership