Local, county and state leaders convened on Oct. 9th to announce significant progress on two major recreational initiatives that will transform a key area of Southern Bergen County: the Carlton Hill Greenway and the Lois Lane Athletic Complex.
The projects—which align with the 2019 Bergen County Parks Master Plan’s call for more open space in the southern region—represent a concerted, bipartisan effort to expand access to outdoor recreation for residents of East Rutherford and surrounding communities.
Carlton Hill Greenway enters design phase
The Carlton Hill Greenway, a 1.2-mile linear park, is officially moving forward. The project will convert a long-abandoned Norfolk Southern rail corridor, acquired by Bergen County in 2022, into a new public greenway for walking, jogging, and biking. The path will link East Rutherford and Rutherford neighborhoods to the Passaic River.
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco announced that a professional services contract has been awarded to Boswell Engineering to conduct the design work for the Greenway. With the design phase commencing, construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2027.
“The Carlton Hill Greenway represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reclaim and revitalize open space in one of the most densely populated parts of Bergen County,” said County Executive Jim Tedesco. “This project delivers on that vision… creating a new greenway that will link communities, promote outdoor activity, and serve families for generations to come.”
$5.5M secured for Lois Lane Athletic Complex
Adjacent to the future Greenway, the Lois Lane Athletic Complex in East Rutherford has received a massive funding boost to transform a former industrial site into a new recreational space.
State Senator Paul Sarlo, along with Assemblymembers Gary Schaer and Clinton Calabrese, successfully secured $5,500,000.00 in state budget appropriations for the complex.
“This was a no-brainer for my colleagues in the Legislature,” said Senator Sarlo, who chairs the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “In a strong bipartisan way, we came together to deliver real funding for this project… This is what happens when every level of government—state, county, and local—works together with one shared goal: to invest in our communities and improve quality of life.”
In addition to state funds, the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Committee has recommended an additional $450,000 in 2025 Open Space funding to further advance the athletic fields, with the Bergen County Board of Commissioners expected to vote on the full allotment next month.
East Rutherford Mayor Jeff Lahullier highlighted the complex’s direct benefits to local residents. “The Lois Lane Athletic Complex will give East Rutherford families more places to play and gather, and it will tie directly into the County’s Greenway project, connecting us with Rutherford and the Passaic River,” he said.
Both projects were hailed by officials, including Commissioner Chairwoman Mary Amoroso, as a successful effort to meet the recreational needs of southern Bergen County. The full list of officials in attendance included Congresswoman Nellie Pou, State Senator Paul Sarlo, Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, County Executive Jim Tedesco, Rutherford Mayor Frank Nunziato, and numerous East Rutherford and Bergen County Commissioners and Councilmembers.
