Morris County marked a major milestone with the official opening of the Pompton Valley Rail Trail, a 5.1-mile multi-use path constructed atop a former railroad and stretching from Pequannock Township to Wayne.
The new recreational path, funded by the NJTPA, runs from River Drive in Pequannock to Mountain View Boulevard in Wayne, near NJ TRANSIT’s Mountain View Station. The Morris County Department of Public Works managed design and construction of the trail.
About 100 local officials, residents and partners responsible for constructing the trail gathered Thursday behind the Pequannock First Aid Squad to cut the ribbon on the scenic, accessible route that was three decades in the making.
“This project is just one example of the many ways that we work together on everything from trails to safety and infrastructure investments,” said Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, who represents the county on the NJTPA Board. “Another example is our
shared vision for the Morris Canal Greenway, which we hope will one day stretch from the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, through Morris County, to the Hudson River in Jersey City.”
The NJTPA has helped fund greenway projects in the County, including the restoration of Lock 2 East and the Lock Tenders House, which serves as a visitor center, in Wharton.
“This project is a great example of how we work together across county lines and across party lines to advance regionally significant projects. This project not only connects folks to the Mountain View train station in Wayne but also brings us one step closer to our vision for a much larger regional trail network,” said Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, who represents the county on the NJTPA Board.
Passaic County, with funding from the NJTPA, is working on the
fourth phase of the Morris Canal Greenway project, which includes Wayne, near where this trail terminates. The County also is working on the Highlands Rail Trail along the former New York & Greenwood Lake Railway, which
broke ground on the first phase of work last year in Wanaque, also with funding from the NJTPA.
“Our ultimate goal is to develop the trail into Pompton Lakes, which would connect it to the Morris Canal Greenway and the Pompton Valley Rail Trail,” Bartlett said. “Imagine how amazing it will be to bike, roll, walk or jog from right here in Pequannock all the way to Ringwood Manor. I look forward to working with our many partners to make this vision a reality.”