Morris County Plans New Rail Trail In Pequannock And Wayne

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The Morris County Board of Freeholders announced this week they signed an agreement to purchase an abandoned 4.4-mile railroad right-of-way in Pequannock and Wayne from the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway. This railroad right-of-way will be converted into a long-planned recreation, hiking and biking trail that will connect to the NJ Transit Mountain View rail station.

The new trail next has to be designed, leading to construction that should start late in 2018. The goal is to open the trail in 2019. The asphalt trail would be the first of its kind in the Rt. 23 corridor region of Morris and Passaic counties, and has special appeal because it connects with mass transit. It would be open to cyclists, strollers, and skaters, but motorized vehicles, such as dirt bikes, would be prohibited. A trail map of the route is below.

The county governing board approved the $4.2 million agreement with NYS&W in late December, voting for it unanimously at the board’s Dec. 27 meeting. Federal funds are financing the project.

The new trail, which would be a total of 4.8 miles, would run from River Drive in Pequannock, near Rt. 23, connect to the township’s Aquatic Park, and extend into Wayne at Mt. View Boulevard, just a short distance from the train station. It eventually will tie into Passaic County’s Morris Canal Greenway.

The trail will be managed by the Morris County Park Commission. The anticipated 10-foot-wide trail will be similar to the Commission’s very popular Traction Line, which runs from Morristown to Madison, and gets heavy use by with walkers, joggers, and bicyclists.

“This will be an incredible new addition to the county park system for the northeast section of our county,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “It will offer great new recreational opportunities, connecting parks and greenways, and also will offer a green commuter route to the NJ Transit trains, similar to what we now have with the Traction Line.’’

"Pequannock is looking forward to the rail trail as a wonderful addition to our community,’’ said Pequannock Mayor Cathy Winterfield. “This trail will create a healthy recreation opportunity for our residents of all ages and bring a connectedness with other communities.

“We hope people will stop along the way to visit and enjoy the many amenities of Pequannock such as our Historic Train Station and Martin Berry House constructed in 1720," she added.

“I am so excited about the potential health benefits which the recreational trail will offer to our communities,’’ said Wayne Township Mayor Chris Vergano. “ It will provide a beautiful area where residents and their families can safely go biking, hiking or take a leisurely stroll, as well as connect to the mass transit system. It’s a win-win for all of our residents.’’

Pequannock officials hope to post kiosks along the trail and throughout town, pointing bikers to downtown shopping and historic sites.

The idea for the bike path was conceived more than two decades ago by Pete Standish, a Pequannock resident and avid cyclist. When Standish died, he donated money to the township for the project.

Map supplied by Morris County