The Greenway Project – New Jersey’s effort to create a super urban state park on a grand scale – broke ground Tuesday in a ceremony in Newark featuring Gov. Phil Murphy and a host of top officials.
The groundbreaking took place at the future Newark Central Activity Center, located between Summer Avenue and Broadway and signified the start of the first phase of the Greenway Project — a state park that will be built on the nine-mile, 100-foot-wide former rail line spanning Essex and Hudson counties.
The Greenway Project will provide outdoor recreation and alternative transportation opportunities in the state’s most densely populated region. Its design elements will reflect the corridor’s historic use, when the former rail line played a vital role in transporting iron ore and blocks of ice from northern New Jersey to the major ports of Jersey City and New York City.
Murphy was thrilled to get the project started.
“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,” he said. “When it’s complete, the Greenway will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best urban parks in the country and will create opportunities for economic growth in the surrounding communities. It will belong to the people who live here, ride it, walk it, and raise their kids alongside it.”
Once complete, the Greenway will connect eight communities across Essex and Hudson Counties — Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, and Montclair. The project aims to create a linear, multi-use corridor that supports walking, biking, and active transportation while fostering community connections and enhancing regional environmental quality.
The nearly one-mile 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.
Expected to open by the end of 2026, the Newark phase of the project will allow walkers, joggers and cyclists to travel from Branch Brook Park Drive to Broadway on a meandering ADA-accessible trail lined with native plantings.
In a whole-of-government approach, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection is spearheading the project, engaging with stakeholders and managing the completed Greenway through the State Park Service.
As DEP’s delivery partner, the N.J. Economic Development Authority is overseeing construction of the overall project, including the Newark segment. AECOM Tishman was selected as construction manager through a competitive bidding process.
NJ Transit is collaborating with the Greenway design team to potentially extend the Secaucus-Meadowlands Transitway into the future state park, adding a dedicated lane for public transit.
The Greenway’s design includes several features that enhance safety and user experience while preserving the surrounding environment. Downward-facing lighting will ensure pathways are well-lit without disturbing nearby residents or natural habitats. The project also features separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists, designed to promote safe speeds and provide places to sit and enjoy the trail’s natural setting.
Three community gathering areas spaced throughout the segment will feature numerous amenities.
DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said the impact of the project will be substantial.
“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,” he said. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our partners across the Murphy Administration, with strong local support, we are forging a legacy that will connect communities, celebrate history, and conserve open space for people from across the state and the region.”
EDA CEO Tim Sullivan and NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri also offered praise.
“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, underutilized properties throughout the state are being converted into transformative local assets and improving quality of life for residents,” Sullivan said. “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.”
Kolluri agreed.
“NJ TRANSIT is pleased to collaborate on a project that envisions public transit as part of a greener, more connected future for our communities,” he said. “Exploring opportunities to integrate the Secaucus-Meadowlands Transitway into the Greenway reflects our commitment to improving access and mobility for the people we serve.”
Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo applauded Murphy for his stewardship of the Greenway.
“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.”
