Marking a milestone in its efforts to expand and improve urban green spaces, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and NJ TRANSIT held an open house on Wednesday to share plans for the first portion of the Greenway’s development in Newark. The Greenway is New Jersey’s newest state park that will transform a nine-mile stretch of former rail line in Essex and Hudson counties into a linear recreational and transit corridor.
DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced Newark as the first section to be constructed with an expected groundbreaking in 2025. This inaugural section of the Greenway will stretch nearly one mile from Branch Brook Park to Broadway in Newark. Once constructed, the Greenway will expand access to open space and deliver impactful transportation and recreation opportunities in one of the most densely populated areas of the state. The park will connect residents to parks, schools and businesses, in addition to offering commuters a way to bypass some of the state’s most congested roadways. A video was created to provide a brief update on the project from Commissioner LaTourette.
Governor Murphy announced the acquisition of the Greenway in September 2022. It will be funded through a combination of state and federal appropriations, with Governor Murphy and the state legislature providing $35 million through the FY2025 budget agreement to aid the development of the Greenway.
“The Murphy Administration is thrilled to announce Newark as the first section to be constructed and thank all those who attended the open house and shared their feedback,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “Together, we are writing an exciting new chapter in the state’s history. It’s been decades since New Jersey gained a new state park and the unique qualities of the Greenway offer a tremendous opportunity to improve the quality of life for millions of our residents. Whether you’re playing a sport, attending a community event or taking the dog on a walk, urban green spaces such as the Greenway are proven to enrich residents’ physical and mental health.”
“It is monumental that Newark will be the first area where the historic Greenway project comes to life, bringing a new state park to an urban community that will serve generations to come,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “This exemplifies how a commitment to environmental justice can inspire innovative solutions, turning a long-standing public nuisance into a valuable resource for recreation, transportation access, and enhanced public health.”
The multimillion-dollar project will include tree planting and the construction of green infrastructure, mitigating local flooding issues and improving air quality within several overburdened communities.
Open House Details
Commissioner LaTourette provided opening remarks in the cafeteria of Park Elementary School, which is a five-minute walk from the Greenway. Attendees interacted with DEP and NJ TRANSIT staff along with design consultants at multiple stations that illustrated design concepts for three gathering spaces in the Newark section of the park – the Branch Brook Park Overlook, the Tiffany Manor Hub and Newark Central Hub. The new state park will connect these three gathering spaces with a meandering, multi-purpose path. Conceptual plans for recreational amenities in Newark include the addition of a playground with a water feature, sports courts and an outdoor event space.
Additionally, artistic images shown at the open house featured a concept for an NJ TRANSIT-operated transitway – a dedicated lane on the Greenway for a bus or other mass transit option. Those in attendance had the opportunity to give feedback, ask questions and voice concerns about the project.
“The Greenway is creating an amazing outdoor recreation and transportation corridor that showcases the potential for the creation of green space in urban areas across the Garden State,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “By breaking ground in Newark, we are not just creating new green space but also fostering stronger community connections and providing residents with greater access to recreation and sustainable transportation.”
“Finalizing plans and advancing construction of the Newark section of the Greenway is a major milestone in this once-in-a-generation parks project,” said Maggie McCann, Administrator for Urban State Parks & Initiatives.“Newark is the first step in realizing a complete Greenway: a safe passageway avoiding most vehicular traffic, while providing recreation opportunities in some of New Jersey’s most densely populated areas.”
Ongoing Community Engagement
Since 2023, public engagement sessions – from showcases at farmer’s markets and block parties to formal listening sessions at public libraries and parks – have occurred in each municipality the Greenway will pass through. Feedback received from community members helped shape the plans presented at the open house.
Additionally, the DEP partnered with Operation Grow Inc. over the past several months on a pop-up community garden near the future Tiffany Manor Hub to showcase one of the many amenities the Greenway will provide to the community. From July to October, Operation Grow hosted 28 events at the community garden to support local engagement in art, urban agriculture, culinary skills, climate action, connecting with nature and community building.
Greenway Background
When complete, the Greenway will connect eight Essex and Hudson County communities – Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and Montclair. The Greenway is an opportunity to create a linear, multi-purpose recreational and transit corridor enabling seamless walking, biking and transit opportunities between Montclair and Jersey City, while providing opportunities for community connection and regional environmental improvements.
The DEP, along with its interagency partners at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, NJ TRANSIT and New Jersey Department of Transportation, will continue to utilize a strong public engagement process to guide decisions about the park’s development.
More information about the project can be found on the Greenway’s webpage at https://dep.nj.gov/greenway/