‘New Jersey's High Line’: Supporters Have Big Hopes For New State Park

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Some called it a “milestone.” Others said it is a “huge step forward for equity and sustainability,” or cheered for its “potential to unite communities.” Another compared it to New York City’s famed High Line. These were some of the comments made by local officials and advocates on Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Essex-Hudson Greenway.

Gov. Phil Murphy and other elected officials held a news conference to kick off the first phase of the project, which will transform an old, defunct nine-mile railroad line into a 100-foot-wide biking and hiking path.

Dubbed the “Essex-Hudson Greenway,” the project will cross above the Passaic and Hackensack rivers and pass through eight towns in some of the most densely populated parts of the state: Bloomfield, Belleville, Glen Ridge, Jersey City, Kearny, Montclair, Newark and Secaucus.

>> Read More: NJ Is Transforming An Abandoned Railway Into A Massive Hiking And Biking Path

Murphy was among the elected officials who attended this week’s ceremony.

“Spanning two of the most densely populated counties in the country, the greenway will be a new landmark that reflects who we are and where we’re going,” the governor said.

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, who lives in one of the impacted towns, said the greenway will eventually become New Jersey’s newest and “most innovative” state park.

“The greenway will connect communities in ways we’ve never seen before, creating green spaces, public gathering areas and safe biking and pedestrian infrastructure that will draw people outdoors and build a sense of shared community,” said Gill, a Montclair resident.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said the greenway will be a win for the largest city in the state.

“More than simply the start of another development project, this groundbreaking truly marks a transformative milestone in our region’s history and a collective revival in our communities,” Baraka said.

Other local officials who shared remarks about this week’s groundbreaking included:

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. – “In Essex County, I have always stressed the importance that parks and recreation facilities have in improving our quality of life. The nine miles of linear open space connecting Newark to Montclair complements our initiative to revitalize our parks and creates a unique space that residents of all ages can enjoy and benefit from.”

NJ Senate President Nick Scutari – “Today’s groundbreaking marks a huge step forward in New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to promoting equity, sustainability, and a better quality of life for our residents. The greenway is not only a park, but a transformative investment in our state’s urban infrastructure that will give hundreds of thousands of people access to open space and protected biking and walking paths from Montclair to Jersey City.”

NJ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin – “Reclaiming this old rail line and transforming it into a state park speaks to our commitment to preserving New Jersey’s natural beauty and making it accessible to everyone. The greenway is a bold and forward-thinking investment in public space, and thanks in part to the FY2025 budget, we are bringing new life to this corridor and creating a place that will bring lasting value to families, children, and neighborhoods for generations.”

NJ Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz – “The greenway is more than a new park, it is an innovative rebirth of a long-neglected rail line that for years burdened communities with pollution and illegal dumping. This first phase in Newark lays the foundation for a transformative nine-mile corridor that will knit together neighborhoods with safe, accessible pathways for walking, biking, and transit. Green infrastructure is an investment in equity, health, and quality of life – delivering lasting benefits for commuters heading to work, children enjoying a sunny afternoon of play, and residents gaining a cleaner environment. This reimagined public space will serve people first and build a more connected, sustainable future that links us all.”

NJ Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin – “Where others saw an abandoned railroad, we saw the potential to unite communities. The greenway is a chance to transform forgotten space into a corridor that connects neighborhoods, opens up access to green space, and creates new opportunities for recreation and mobility. Today’s groundbreaking is the beginning of a legacy that will benefit families across Essex and Hudson Counties for generations.”

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham – “This transformative project will convert a former rail corridor into a vibrant 9-mile linear park connecting eight communities — including Belleville. Once completed, this greenway will provide new opportunities for walking, biking, outdoor recreation, and sustainable transit across one of the most densely populated regions in the nation.”

NJ Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette – “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.”

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan – “The NJEDA is proud to partner with the NJDEP on the construction of the greenway project, which exemplifies the state’s commitment to the revitalization of communities and sustainable economic development.”

NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri – “NJ Transit is pleased to collaborate on a project that envisions public transit as part of a greener, more connected future for our communities. Exploring opportunities to integrate the Secaucus-Meadowlands Transitway into the greenway reflects our commitment to improving access and mobility for the people we serve.”

In addition to elected officials, other support for the greenway came from:

John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites – “Development of the Greenway marks a transformative moment for the New Jersey State Park System. The Greenway extends the Park Service’s reach into the heart of New Jersey’s two most densely populated counties,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “Further, the Greenway exemplifies the Park Service’s commitment to accessibility by expanding access to green space beyond the traditional rural landscapes that come to mind when thinking of a state park.”

Maggie McCann, DEP Administrator for Urban State Parks & Initiatives – “Breaking ground on the greenway is not only the result of two and-a-half years of community outreach, planning and design, but the realization of a vision long championed by local residents and nonprofit organizations who saw the potential in this unused rail corridor.”

Sofia Barandiaran, New Jersey & New York Greenway Manager, East Coast Greenway Alliance – “The greenway will be transformative, not only for New Jersey but for the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile walking and biking route connecting cities from Maine to Florida … The part of the greenway that overlaps with the East Coast Greenway will be one of the most impactful new segments on our 3,000 mile route: a completely off-road connection between the Garden State's two largest cities, Newark and Jersey City. The greenway will be an invaluable resource for getting outdoors, moving safely and connecting with neighbors — not just for the people of Essex and Hudson counties, but for all of New Jersey and the entire East Coast Greenway corridor.”

Doug O'Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey – “New Jersey's newest state park might be our most important, because it will be the green equivalent of the railroad tracks that it replaces -- a literal nine-mile green ribbon that connects our urban core and two largest cities with suburban towns. It will replace an urban dumping ground with a green oasis, it will provide the ultimate green commute for bike riders and a corridor that will bring all of us closer to our natural environment in the Meadowlands, the Hackensack River, and Newark's Branch Brook Park. This will be New Jersey's High Line supersized – and it almost didn't happen.”

Debra Kagan, Executive Director, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition – “Today’s greenway groundbreaking marks the moment we go from having a vision to building a game-changer for active transportation and recreation in New Jersey. This is a step into a better future with more safe spaces for walking and biking that will boost our local economies, help us all to live healthier lives and build connections between our diverse communities.”

Ayla Schermer, President of Bike Jersey City – “The greenway will be transformative, finally connecting the state’s two largest cities and surrounding towns with a safe bike/walk route for the first time. Complete, contiguous connections like this route, away from motor vehicle traffic, are extremely rare in densely populated northeastern New Jersey, and so are green, natural spaces available to the public. This project will provide both for many generations to come.”

Upendra Sapkota, Rails to Trails Conservancy New Jersey Project Director – “This is more than a pathway—the Greenway will provide critical connections between eight North Jersey communities, including Newark and Jersey City, and marks progress toward a broader regional trail network. This is a significant step toward connecting communities and advancing active transportation for all of North Jersey.”

Erik Kulleseid, President and CEO, Open Space Institute – “What was once seen as impossible is now a reality: following decades of community efforts to bring green spaces to this region, it is deeply gratifying to see the greenway taking shape … Today is a day worth celebrating as we break ground on something wonderful and transformative for the people of northern New Jersey and beyond.”

Thomas L. Kempner Jr. of the Thomas L. Kempner Jr. Foundation – “Every time we invest in a project like this, it makes other communities want to create something like that for their people. The impact of this goes much further than northern New Jersey – it's shining a light on how great greenways are, how important access to nature is, even in urban places, and inspiring new greenways everywhere — it’s a virtuous cycle where you keep making more trails and having more happy users.”

Sharonda Allen, MPA, Founder and Executive Director of Operation Grow Inc. – “We look forward to continuing to host the Operation Grow + NJDEP Garden on the greenway at the Tiffany Manor Hub. The neighbors deserve to have the fresh produce that we gave away and the enjoyment of our community engagement in the garden. We look forward to hosting more events, like our Halloween party, and our back-to-school giveaway for the families. Urban agriculture is much needed for that community, with the neighbors having access to fresh, nutritious vegetables.”

Jackie Jay, President of the Forest Hill Community Association – “On behalf of the 1400+ homes within the Forest Hill Historic District, we are thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of the highly anticipated greenway. This project marks a new era for North Jersey, safely joining our communities from the Hudson River and westward for the many residents and visitors eager to take advantage of outdoor space between these destinations. Myself a cyclist, I also represent the biking community in celebrating the addition of this safe and uninhibited offroad space. The Forest Hill residents are excited for this next chapter in Newark's North Ward and look forward to the restorative impact and improved quality of life that this development will bring to our community.”

Evan Weiss, President & CEO of the Newark Alliance – “Today's groundbreaking in Newark represents the reclamation of what was once an abandoned eyesore and the start of its transformation into a regional asset that will bring recreation, transportation access, and the benefits of green spaces to thousands of Newarkers and our neighbors.”

Another round of support for the greenway came from Kennedy Fuller, a Girl Scout from Troop 10910.

On Tuesday, Fuller stood aside some of the highest-ranking elected officials in New Jersey, making her own pitch for the value of green spaces.

“It is a way to bring us together,” the youth said. “To share experiences and laughs. Spaces like these are vital for our cities. Because without unity and community, we have nothing. Spaces like these allow us to build our neighbors up and increase social connections. They offer us spaces to run, to play, to move. It is an opportunity to connect the people of New Jersey. A place where we can coexist and share our happiness.”

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