JACKSON, N.J. — The Jackson Pathfinders, a volunteer group dedicated to maintaining local hiking trails, have reported the theft of a large trail sign at the Steve Kitay Living Trail.
The missing sign, which had directed visitors to the trail at the Kitay Junction, was recently discovered to be gone during a routine beautification event, the group announced.
Volunteers initially believed the sign, installed in 2016, might have fallen from its tree and been obscured by foliage. However, a thorough search revealed no sign of the marker, leading the group to conclude it was stolen. The Jackson Pathfinders have shared photos of the missing sign and the tree where it was mounted to assist in the investigation.
“This is very sad,” the group stated, noting they will now need to replace the sign. The Pathfinders plan to report the incident to law enforcement and are asking for public help in solving the case.
The theft comes as the Pathfinders mark their 25th year of trail stewardship. The group maintains four woodland trails in Jackson, including the Silver Stream Trail and the Purple Heart Trail, and they recently completed a beautification event along the Silver Stream and Kitay trails.
All Jackson Pathfinders trails remain free and open to the public year-round for hiking, mountain biking, and nature appreciation. Information on the trails, including interactive maps and PDFs, can be found on the group’s website.