New Jersey to convert old rail line to 9-mile greenway
Supporters of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project, which include The Archdiocese of Newark’s Environmental Justice Task Force and St. Lucy’s Church The National Shrine of Saint Gerard in Newark, received some good news today when the governor announced that New Jersey would secure purchase rights to the nearly nine miles of former railway.
After decades of local advocacy and outreach and more than three years of direct negotiations, the Essex-Hudson Greenway (EHG) Coalition announced today that the State of New Jersey would secure purchase rights to nearly nine miles of former railway, spanning two counties and eight municipalities in one of the most highly populated regions of northern New Jersey. Under a framework announced by Governor Phil Murphy earlier today, the State will purchase the 135-acre property.
The Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition – comprised of the Open Space Institute, the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, and September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance – has been advocating for the project, which will create a green space solution that will provide walkers, runners, cyclists, hikers, and others with a linear park and multi-use trail connecting Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus, and Jersey City.
Over the summer, St. Lucy’s Church of Newark became the 100th agency, organization, or corporation to endorse the Essex Hudson Greenway Project.
Then in October, The Archdiocese of Newark’s Environmental Justice Task Force voiced support of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project.
“Today’s announcement by the State of New Jersey completes the first major step in making this Greenway a reality. We commend Governor Murphy, all the local leaders and elected officials who recognized the extraordinary potential of the Greenway, and our coalition partners – New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance – who have been key partners in growing support for the Greenway,” said Kim Elliman, president, and CEO of the Open Space Institute, which secured the rights to purchase the former Boonton Line from Norfolk Southern Railway for $65 million nearly two years ago.
“The proposed Essex-Hudson Greenway is a prime example of what Pope Francis calls for when asking the people of the world to be faithful stewards of God’s gift of creation,” said Father Timothy Graff, secretary of Parish Mission and Vitality Director of the Social Concerns Office for the Archdiocese. “The Greenway addresses the need for a focus on urban and overpopulated communities, including regions where green space and access to nature is not plentiful. The Church also encourages support of the poor, and this project offers a multitude of benefits to so many poorer and more vulnerable people across the region.”
Pope Francis calls on the Church and the world to acknowledge the environmental challenges of the planet and work towards a new path. The Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on Care for Our Common Home, also known as the Laudato Si’, a 2015 papal encyclical, addresses “every person living on this planet” to begin an inclusive dialogue about the future of our planet.
In July 2020, the Open Space Institute (OSI) reached a preliminary purchase and sale agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway for the property in Essex and Hudson Counties for the Greenway. Local community leaders have been calling for the creation of a linear park on the former rail line property to create a safe, off-road trail to ride a bike and walk; ease traffic and offer active transportation options; create alternate commuting options; provide close-to-home, easy access to the outdoors; and bring much-needed green space to urban communities that are traditionally and negatively impacted by infrastructure development.
“This Greenway project has been a major campaign of ours for nearly a decade, and we are thrilled that the State has taken this critical step in making this dream a reality that will offer so many benefits to all our residents,” said Debra Kagan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition. “We want to express our gratitude to Governor Murphy and his staff, along with our coalition partners, whose hard work has made this milestone possible. We also want to thank the many community organizations and elected officials who lent their vital support and the thousands of grassroots supporters who made their voices heard and took part in the effort to get us this far. This Greenway will bring enhanced quality-of-life to the entire region, provide access to open space to underserved communities, and be a landmark of development that promotes healthy communities.”
The proposed Greenway follows the right-of-way of the eastern portion of NJ TRANSIT’s former Boonton Line. Passenger service was discontinued on this portion of the line in 2002. Following the termination of NJ TRANSIT’s commuter service, limited freight service continued until the last rail customer ceased operations in 2015. Spanning an average of 100 feet or more in width throughout its route, the project has the potential to offer significant benefits, especially in light of the current health, environmental and fiscal crises.
The Open Space Institute and its partners have already begun investing in planning, surveying, environmental assessments, and more. The project offers the potential to reduce traffic and stormwater runoff in towns along the rail line, improve transportation options for residents, and allow for improved infrastructure connectivity for things like broadband and emergency response.
Learn more about the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project by visiting the website.
Featured photograph: A drone image of the Branch Brook section of the proposed Essex-Hudson Greenway Project. The project would offer a nearly nine-mile-long, multi-use trail following a converted rail line. When completed, it will create more than 135 acres of new green space, a linear park, and an active modes corridor for northern New Jersey and beyond. (Photo courtesy of The Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition)
