Linear park project in northern New Jersey will benefit local communities, job creation, transportation options, & environment

A long-awaited linear park and transportation corridor project is taking shape in urban northern New Jersey, thanks to a preliminary purchase agreement achieved by the Open Space Institute (OSI).

The “Essex-Hudson Greenway Project” will convert property owned by Norfolk Southern Railway Company into a public greenspace that will course through Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus, and Jersey City.

In mid-2020, OSI reached a preliminary agreement with Norfolk Southern for the purchase of nearly nine miles of property that runs through eight communities in Essex and Hudson Counties. The preliminary agreement sets the stage for the creation of a linear park that will provide new recreation opportunities for nature lovers, including walkers, bikers, and birders, while improving transportation options for local residents.

The New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition and the September 11^th National Memorial Trail Alliance are key partners and among a growing coalition of supporters for the project.

The creation of the Essex-Hudson Greenway offers a range of other environmental, transportation and health benefits – especially as the public turns to local access to green space.

The Essex-Hudson Greenway also has the potential to offer many construction, planning, and other jobs, as well as support for new and existing businesses throughout the length of the linear park.

In addition to its economic benefits, the creation of the Essex-Hudson Greenway offers a range of other environmental, transportation and health benefits – especially as the public turns to local access to green space.

The project offers potential to reduce traffic and stormwater runoff in towns along the rail line, improve transportation options for residents, and allow for improved infrastructure connectivity for things like broadband and emergency response.

OSI’s efforts to create the Essex-Hudson Greenway are being generously supported by the Thomas L. Kempner Jr. Foundation.