Governor Phil Murphy joined state, county, and local officials in Newark to break ground on the Greenway project, a 9-mile former rail line that will be converted into New Jersey’s newest state park. The 100-foot-wide Greenway will stretch from Jersey City to Montclair, spanning Essex and Hudson Counties. The first phase of construction, centered on the Newark Central Activity Center between Summer Avenue and Broadway, represents the largest single investment in state history for a new state park, totaling $69.2 million. The project is being led by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) with construction overseen by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and managed by AECOM Tishman. It is expected to open by the end of 2026.
Plans for the Greenway include separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists, ADA-accessible trails, and community gathering areas. In Newark, three hubs are planned: the Newark Central Activity Center with a performance lawn, adventure playground, and multi-sport courts; the Tiffany Manor Community Space with picnic areas, gardens, and food truck accommodations; and the Branch Brook Park Overlook, which will connect visitors to Branch Brook Park.
The Greenway will link eight communities across northern New Jersey: Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, and Montclair. NJ TRANSIT is working with the design team to potentially integrate the Secaucus-Meadowlands Transitway into the corridor. The linear park will also serve as a segment of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile trail system connecting cities from Maine to Florida.
“This groundbreaking ceremony in historic Newark marks a milestone, beginning the long-awaited transformation of an abandoned rail line into a world-class urban park that will be a significant recreational and economic asset for New Jersey,” said Shawn M. LaTourette, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our partners across the Murphy Administration, with strong local support, we are forging a legacy that will connect communities, celebrate history, and conserve open space for people from across the state and the region.”…