Through the years many positive changes have taken place in our community through the efforts of: individual community leaders, the Eggerts Crossing Civic League, Inc, churches within Lawrence, social organizations, Lawrence Township Municipal Government, and the State Government. For some reason, changes to our community do not come easily. There are always obstacles that we must overcome; through dedication and perseverance we continue to make positive changes to our community.

1949 - The Civic League was established by a group of residents under the name of "Community Service Club".

1953 - The Civic League was incorporated as a non-profit corporation and the name was revised to Eggerts Crossing Civic League, Inc.

1955 - ECCL petitioned Lawrence Township Council to put sidewalks on Johnson Ave which led to the first reconstructed road in Eggerts Crossing.

1965 - ECCL helped to establish the Lawrence Community Action Program within the Mercer County Community Action Program.

1965 - ECCL challenged the Lawrence Township Master Plan to change zoning for land designated for "Light Industry" in the Eggerts Crossing Community area and to remove the planned extension of Artic Parkway up the old railroad right away. This right of    way is now the Lawrence Township Greenway (Johnson Trolley Line).
      
1966-67 - ECCL established the first Head Start Program in Lawrence Township, housed in Eldridge Park School, under the Community Action Program,
1968 - ECCL established the first Neighborhood Service Center in Mercer County, located in Eggerts Crossing, under the Community Action Program.

1971 - ECCL was one of the original sponsors of the Lawrence Non-Profit Housing, Inc., which became the sponsor of the Eggerts Crossing Village, a low income housing development in Eggerts Crossing.

1974 - Eggerts Crossing Village opened its door to residents.

1980's - Streets in the Eggerts Crossing neighborhood are reconstructed to township standards.

1990 - ECCL petitioned the township to bring the Lawrence Neighborhood Center building up to municipal building code standards. The township received a grant for $700,000 to accomplish this.

1990 - ECCL petitioned the township to reconstruct Drift Avenue and install storm drainage in the road. The work was completed 1992.

1995 - ECCL petitioned for installation of sidewalks on Eldridge Ave.

1996 - ECCL held a Scholarship Dinner to support our Scholarship Fund which provides $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors enrolled in college

2001 - ECCL started the revitalization process of the Eggerts Crossing Community. ECCL researched planning issues and methods to revitalize community.

2002 - ECCL invited Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning graduate students to develop "A Vision for Eggerts Crossing" as part of their academic studio class. The students provided an analysis of the community and presented it to the residents for their comments. The visioning was accomplished through a number of community meetings with approximately 40 to 50 community residents, township officials, the township planner, and rlm architect.

2002 - ECCL with help from Jacobs Environmental provided estimates for utilities improvements needed in Eggerts Crossing.

2002 - Sidewalks completed on Drift Avenue completed.

2003 - ECCL worked with Lawrence Twp, Clarke Caton Hintz, and RLM Architect to develop the greenway landscape design and improvements.

2003 - New Jersey Chapter of American Planning Association presented the Award for Achievement and Planning for "A Vision For Eggerts Crossing" to the Bloustein School graduate students. Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning presented their Student Award for Planning for "A Vision for Eggerts Crossing" to the students. The "Vision" was submitted to American Planning Association National Award Program

2003 - ECCL applied for and received our 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization status.

2003 - ECCL held a successful tribute and fundraising dinner in honor of Elvin Bethea, a former Eggerts Crossing resident and inductee of the NFL Hall of Fame, at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.

2003 - ECCL received the Mayors' Award for the Community and Economic Development given by the Lawrence Township Growth and Redevelopment Committee.

2004 - ECCL held a Community Awards Program and dinner to honor local initiatives and residents.

2005 - ECCL held a successful community cleanup day with assistance from Lawrence Township.

2005 - The installation of sidewalks on Bunker Hill Road completed.

2005 - ECCL in conjunction with RLM Architect and Isles developed plans for infill housing along Johnson Ave at the 3.5 ac site.
 
2006 - ECCL in conjunction with RLM Architect developed plans for Heritage Park, an existing but underutilized and distressed recreation area.

2006 - ECCL received $5000 from Lawrence Township Community Foundation for plans implementing the "Vision"

2007 - ECCL held its 25th Annual Fish Fry to support our scholarship fund. Fish Fry luncheons are attended by over 50 people from all over Lawrence Township.

2007 - ECCL organized three successful community workdays at Heritage Park on June 23, August 4 and September 15 to start improvements to the Park. Each day was attended by 10-20 residents including children. The local press covered one of these days. Dead trees were removed, overgrown areas cut back, and mulch was spread to define the picnic area along with new plantings.

2007 - ECCL received $2500 from Lawrence Township Community Foundation for new benches and community information boards.

2008 - ECCL applied for and received permanent 501(c)3 non-profit organization status.

2008 - ECCL organized a successful Spring Gala at The Clubhouse at Mountain View Golf Course to raise money for Heritage Park improvements and the Scholarship Fund. Over $12,000 was raised, $2,000 to the Fund and $10,000 for the Park.

2008 - Since 1979 ECCL has awarded over 99 scholarships to high school students attending college.

2008 - ECCL received 50 seedling trees for Heritage Park from the New Jersey Tree Foundation.

2008 - ECCL received a grant from Bristol Myers Squibb for $25,000 to proceed with the construction of the new entrance to Heritage Park.
 
2008 - ECCL received a grant from Lawrence Township Community Foundation in the amount of $500 for Heritage Park improvements.

As part of "A Vision For Eggerts Crossing", Lawrence Township did the following:

2003 - A Groundbreaking for improvements to Greenway was held with the ECCL and the Township Council. Lawrence Township provided approximately $144,000 for Phase I improvements by outside contractors for paving, fencing, landscape improvements, crabapple trees. Lawrence Township Public Works installed traffic humps on Johnson Avenue and Drift Avenue. This was part of the implementation of the vision.

2004 - Engineering study, Johnson Avenue property (3.5 acres) complete by Lawrence Township and the Eggerts Crossing Civic League, wetlands delineations

2004 - Expansion of Gilpin Park at Johnson Ave and removal of portion of "short" Johnson Ave .

2005-2006 - Developed the plans for Phase II for the Gateways to Eggerts Crossing at Johnson Ave and Eggerts Crossing Road, Johnson Ave. and Eldridge Ave., and Eggerts Crossing Road at the Ewing Township line.

2006-2007 - Lawrence Township installed pedestrian crossings and additional landscaping improvements

2007 - Lawrence Township proceeded with the Phase II improvements to the Greenway including signage at the entry to Johnson Ave, expansion and planting for Gilpin Park, the extension of the Greenway to Alcazar Ave at a cost of approximately $177,000.

2008 - Shade Tree Committee provided 23 flowering crabapples for Greenway southern end. Twp received grant to extend sidewalks along Johnson and along Greenway to entrance to Heritage Park. Lawrence Township committed to $25,000 improvements to fire lane and walks in Heritage Park. They are reviewing improvements to Greenway from Johnson Ave to Hazelhurst Ave.

2010 - Held a successful Spring Gala (our major fundraiser for the year) at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College.  At the Gala we honored State Senator Shirley Turner, rlm architect – Robin Murray, and Bristol Meyers-Squibb Co. – Frederick Egenolf.  We had an excellent turnout. Rev. Darrell Armstrong, Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church was the guest speaker and music was provided by Carlos Hendricks.  Click here for a complete list of Civic League accomplishments.