You might want to refer to the Sterbenz family as real “trail blazers.”

The Community Trail at Warren Community College was dedicated on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the same time Paul Sterbenz, a longtime engineer for the College and many Warren County towns, and his family, announced that they are the donors of the 1.2 mile paved walkway that runs from the College to Warren Tech next door. The bulk of the trail is on college property and it was through the College that the idea started about a year ago when Sterbenz approached Warren’s President, Dr. Will Austin.

“The dream of every college president is that someone will walk up to him and offer up a generous gift like this, at no cost to the College,” said Dr. Austin. “It just doesn’t happen. This is overwhelming and the ultimate of giving back to the community. I cannot say enough about the character of Paul Sterbenz, one of the most humble human beings there is.”

It was an idea that Sterbenz was quietly thinking about for some time. He was looking into various possibilities, different locations, and something that would truly be impactful and available to the entire community.

“I am so happy to have brought this to fruition,” said Sterbenz, a partner at Collier Engineering and Design who was joined by his wife Fran and son James for the dedication ceremony. “I am elated how it came out.”

Sterbenz, crediting his parents for instilling in him the virtues of loving others and giving back, spoke about how Warren County has been something special to him, through work and otherwise.

“It’s been a tremendous experience being a part of this community,” said Sterbenz, who is originally from Central Jersey. “For some time I’ve been wanting to give back but the question has always been what will that project be.”

He added, “I’ve had ties with the College going back to 1992 so I had that connection. And I wanted the project to be recreational in some way.”

With the College’s (and Tech’s) spacious property and the central location to the county Sterbenz eventually came up with the trail concept.

“I thought it was something that the College could benefit from and it was embraced by Will and the Trustees (and Tech),” said Sterbenz. “I like that it connects both schools to make it easier for them to partner on things.”

The trail, which is open to the public, is easily accessible from either the College or Tech. It is suitable for walking and running, generally flat so easy to traverse, goes through “green areas,” and is handicap friendly.

Even before this Sterbenz was well known in the community for being supportive of numerous non-profit organizations and their events.

Several state, county and college officials were on hand for the ceremony, and they all sent a similar message about Paul Sterbenz.

“He’s a great model for all of us,” said State Senator Michael Doherty.

“He downplays his involvement but what he’s done is so wonderful,” added Warren County Commissioner Deputy Director Jason Sarnoski.

Secretary of the College’s Board of Trustees Nancy Brown has known Sterbenz for 30 years going back to their days working together on projects in Hackettstown when she was a Councilwoman.

“He is such a humble man,” she said. “He never toots his own horn. In the end, though, he always gets the job done.”

Samir Elbassiouny, Executive Assistant to the President, appropriately summarized Sterbenz, “With Paul it’s always about the community.”