Sarah Boyle 
The Hudson-Essex Greenway is a project from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to convert an unused railway into a nine-mile-long park connecting several Northern New Jersey towns. Work began on the park in summer 2025, but the plans were set in motion several years before that. The park will have bike and walking paths, community gathering spaces, and is meant to be a draw for residents and visitors to the area. The project leaders are starting of 2026 by sharing an Action + Vision Plan for the park. . Read on for what to know about the plans for the Essex-Hudson Greenway.
February 2026 Update
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection released its Vision + Action Plan for the Greenway. “The Vision & Action Plan specifies a strategic approach for transforming an abandoned rail corridor into something truly special – a world-class urban park for communities in need of open, green spaces,” DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said. “The identified priorities are a blueprint for the future, to ensure that the dream we have for this land and former rail line will become a recreation destination for generations to come.”
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The plans emphasize inclusive design and accessibility, including ADA-compliant features and welcoming public spaces that foster a sense of belonging for users of all ages and abilities. The next steps for the project include development of a comprehensive master plan, identification of funding strategies, and establishment of long-term operations and maintenance plans. The plans can be accessed at the DEP’s website here.
Meanwhile, work continues on the one-mile section of the park that was started in July 2025.
July 2025 Update
Photo Credit: NJDEP
The Essex-Hudson Greenway is officially underway after a groundbreaking was held for the first mile of the project in Newark on Tuesday, July 15th. Per a press release from Governor Murphy, the groundbreaking took place at the future Newark Central Activity Center, located between Summer Avenue and Broadway. The Newark segment marks the largest single investment in state history for the acquisition and development of a new state park, with this phase of construction totaling $69.2 million. This section is expected to open by the end of 2026, and will allow walkers, joggers and cyclists to travel from Branch Brook Park Drive to Broadway on an ADA-accessible trail lined with native plantings.
February 2025 Update
On Monday, February 24th, 2025, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding that calls for the authority to hire a construction manager for the Greenway, per the New Jersey Monitor. The NJEDA expects to have a construction manager ready for board approval by May, and also expects to establish a project budget by that time.
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November 2024 Update
Per NJDEP’s website, groundbreaking for the Newark section of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project is expected to take place in 2025. NJDEP and NJ Transit hosted an open-house-style event on Wednesday, November 13th from 6PM-8PM at Park Elementary School — located at 120 Manchester Place in Newark — to inform locals about project updates, see artistic images of the Greenway, and share thoughts.
The design plans revealed at the open house include a map of the initial greenway development + construction that includes three community areas in the Newark section — which will span 0.8 miles from Branch Brook Park to Broadway.
The Branch Brook Park Overlook will feature views of Branch Brook Park with lawn and picnic space; The Tiffany Manor Hub will be a gathering space with seating and opportunities for food trucks and other short-term amenities; and The Newark Central Hub will include ADA-accessible play features, a performance space, sports courts, and restrooms. More details can be found on NJDEP’s website.
All About the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project
Governor Phil Murphy and the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project announced on September 15th, 2022 that they had achieved a major milestone: the purchasing of a northern New Jersey inactive railway. This railway, which was NJ Transit’s former Boonton Line, is slated to be turned into a linear State Park that will stretch from Montclair to Jersey City on an almost nine-mile path. The state spent $65 million, which is the single largest conservation project to date — and is also the biggest investment in a non-motorized transportation corridor.
This project has been a long time coming with a lot of advocates working behind the scenes. The Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition — which is made up of the Open Space Institute, the New Jersey Bike + Walk Coalition, and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance — celebrated the purchase back in 2022.
“This acquisition by Governor Murphy and the state of New Jersey brings us one step closer to creating much-needed green space to the most densely populated and diverse region in the entire nation,” Kim Elliman, president and CEO of the Open Space Institute, said in the original announcement.
This 135-acre property will start from Montclair and pass through Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus, and end in Jersey City. The path, which is up to 100 feet wide at certain spots, will allow residents space for recreational biking and walking. Plus, according to the original release, this trail will provide a host of different benefits to residents in these areas.
“The Greenway has the potential to support new and existing businesses, create enhanced access to a healthy, thriving green space for historically underserved communities, and offer the communities adjacent to the property with significant flood control and environmental solutions to resolve longstanding issues,” the announcement said.
In 2021, the September 11th National Memorial Trail received unanimous federal legislation for a trail route, which created a triangle-shaped, 1,300-mile trail. The Essex-Hudson Greenway will make up a portion of this trail.
“Many people don’t realize that in addition to providing nearby residents with new green space, the Essex-Hudson Greenway also has national significance as a component of the 9/11 Memorial Trail,” Andy Hamilton, Chair of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance Board of Directors, previously said. “It’s exciting to see that we are one step closer to realizing this full potential of this project and we remain committed to supporting the State of New Jersey and our coalition partners as the project moves forward.”
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Many locals have been campaigning for a linear park that would serve as a “shared-use path” for people walking, riding a bike, running, rollerblading, or just relaxing. Advocates including the Bloomfield Open Space Trust Fund, the Friends of the Ice + Iron Trail, and groups in North Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken have been pushing for this Greenway to come to fruition.
We can’t wait to see what this project will look like once it’s finished.
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