Construction is officially underway on the Essex-Hudson Greenway, a transformative nine-mile stretch of former rail corridor that will soon serve as New Jersey’s newest state park. This linear park will span across Essex and Hudson counties, connecting eight municipalities—Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus, and Jersey City—through a continuous, 100-foot-wide green corridor. This long-anticipated project aims to revitalize communities, enhance connectivity, and provide sustainable open space in one of the nation’s most densely populated regions.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the Greenway took place in Newark, where local and state officials gathered to mark the beginning of construction. This initial phase covers nearly one mile through Newark and represents the largest single state investment in the creation of a new park, with $69.2 million allocated for construction costs. The Newark segment, expected to open by the end of 2026, will include ADA-accessible walking and biking trails, infrastructure for stormwater management, and several dedicated spaces for community use and recreation.
Among the planned public areas within the Newark segment is the Newark Central Activity Center, located between Summer Avenue and Broadway. This space will feature a performance stage, adventure playground, picnic grove, outdoor exercise equipment, and multi-sport courts. Additional public hubs along the route will include scenic overlooks, food truck zones, and connections to existing parks and neighborhoods, further integrating the Greenway into the fabric of the surrounding communities.
The Essex-Hudson Greenway follows the path of a former rail line that once transported iron ore and ice between North Jersey and the ports. Rail service on this corridor ceased in 2009, and in 2022, the state of New Jersey officially acquired the land from Norfolk Southern. The project is now managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in collaboration with the state’s Economic Development Authority and NJ TRANSIT. Construction for the Newark phase is being overseen by AECOM Tishman.
Officials view the Greenway as a landmark moment in New Jersey’s approach to urban park development. The project’s scale and ambition place it alongside other major urban green spaces in the country, designed not only to beautify and connect cities but also to address broader economic and environmental goals. Planners and leaders emphasize that the Greenway is expected to become a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, environmental conservation, and climate resilience.
State and local leaders also highlighted the equity and community-centered nature of the project. The Greenway is designed to prioritize people—especially those in underserved areas—by providing access to safe, open, and inviting public spaces. Future plans under consideration include integrating public transportation options such as the Secaucus-Meadowlands Transitway, potentially linking the trail to even more parts of the region. Outreach efforts have already been underway, with community meetings, walkthroughs, and volunteer clean-up events held in all eight municipalities along the route to ensure that the voices of local residents help shape the final design.
Described as an investment in health, connectivity, and sustainability, the Essex-Hudson Greenway aims to build a future in which residents across northern New Jersey are more closely linked to nature, to one another, and to new economic opportunities through green infrastructure. When completed, it is expected to stand as one of the most significant urban green spaces in the northeastern United States—a legacy project rooted in collaboration, vision, and community pride.
