Ten active projects along the Morris Canal Greenway are in various stages of design and review, with plans proposed for a pedestrian bridge and public art at a segment in Bayonne’s Mercer Park.
The projects total about $8.5 million and since January about seven have been making great progress, according to Sascha Frimpong, Senior Director, Local Project Development, who briefed the Morris Canal Working Group at its spring virtual meeting on June 2, along with other updates along the Greenway.
In Essex County, Bloomfield Phase II, estimated at about $428,000, is moving along having received authorization and awaiting an agreement to move forward.
Celebrating the Morris Canal at Mercer Park in Bayonne, about $300,000, is also working through final design into the next phase and finalizing environmental documents.
In Sussex County, a multi-purpose trail around Waterloo Village is progressing, a project that would improve public access to one of the Morris Canal’s most significant historic sites. Frimpong said she is hopeful a design consultant will be selected soon. The project is estimated at $615,000, in addition to the restoration of three historic buildings.
The environmental document is under review for the $830,000 Morris Canal Museum vehicle access bridge project over the Lopatcong Creek in Warren County. Also in Warren County is the $350,000 Riverfront Heritage Trail in Phillipsburg.
In Passaic County, the $3-million Pompton Feeder Phase 4 project is heading into construction with the environmental document submission.
Satellite Visitor Centers
The Canal Society of New Jersey is continuing the concept of satellite visitor centers for the Greenway, according to Joe Macasek, president. In Bloomfield, a $450,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust has helped to restore the John Collins House. Displays, including a toolbox and antique desk, are being created to bring this part of the building back to life and in the future, Macasek said, they hope to partner with Bloomfield to use the facility for special events.
In Jersey City, a $5.4-million contract recently was approved for a future pedestrian path and on-road improvement, including a 1-mile stretch of off-road near Country Village and a towpath behind Whitlock Mills, and Mercer Park. The original mill site and many mill buildings have been developed into residential buildings over the years.
Signage projects along the greenway are planned this year, including:
- Stanhope and Hopatcong State Park, six interpretive panels;
- Ledgewood, wayfinder signs, Shippenport interpretive panels, and Canal Park, turbine artifact sign;
- Belleville: Five wayfinders to connect with Bloomfield;
- Montville: Two replacement interpretive panels;
- Rockaway: Three wayfinder signs and Inclined Planes 2 and 3 East will be the start of a Rockaway Greenway Trail; and,
- Waterloo Village, replacement of five interpretive panels.
Ryan Homes will be donating land that includes Plane 1 East for a future canal park near their housing development in Roxbury, Macasek said. The plan includes a trail from a small lot at Shippenport Road through the plane site and connect to greenway assets that will continue through the mill pond area, he said, additional township property, in the future, connecting to landing and further west. “This is another great connection,” Macasek said.
A huge storm in July 2023 undermined the road bridge to Plane 9 West in Port Warren and since then the road from Route 519 has been closed, with access limited and monthly tours suspended at the Jim and Mary Lee Museum.
The road bridge will be moved a little down the road, said Tim Roth of the Canal Society of NJ. That will take some time, but approval has been granted to put a pedestrian bridge where the bridge was located, he added.
Morris Canal Greenway Through Mercer Park
A federal project for Hudson County in the City of Bayonne, the Morris Canal Greenway through Mercer Park aims to widen the existing trail from a 12-foot main walking trail to 15 feet. This would allow for two-way pedestrian traffic and bicycle traffic, according to Sara Irick, the county’s Preliminary Engineering Project Manager at French & Parrello Associates.
Although the canal itself is currently filled in and covered with grass at this location, a meandering pathway of 5 feet would lead to a more garden-like area where art could be placed in the future. A wall will remain with plans to top it with a pergola, allowing for shade where people could linger and enjoy the art.
Irick said a planned pedestrian footbridge over the canal’s right of way would ultimately tie the park into the neighborhood. Details on amenities, including signage, bike racks, and benches, would include input from the working group, she said, adding that they’re trying to be as consistent as possible along the greenway.
Hiking the Morris Canal Greenway
Volunteers have mapped 33 segments of the Greenway on the AllTrails mobile app as part of an effort called the Hiker’s Guide to the Morris Canal Greenway, Ken Pokrowski reported. There are plans to continue mapping trails, including the Denville tow path, Port Morris, Mount Rascal in Hackettstown, Lake Hopatcong Feeder, Port Warren, Strykers Road in Stewartsville and Phillipsburg.
A recording of the June 2 meeting via Zoom is available on MorrisCanalGreenway.org.