North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. joined with Gov. Phil Murphy, state Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and other elected official to break ground on the first phase of the Greenway project – a nine-mile, 100-foot-wide former rail line spanning Essex and Hudson counties which will be transformed into New Jersey’s newest state park.

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.

“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,” Governor Murphy 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.

Councilman Ramos has worked with state legislative leaders for nearly a decade to revitalize the former rail line that had become a dumping ground. In 2018, long before the Greenway project was proposed, Councilman Ramos worked to get Norfolk Southern, which owned the railway right of way, to address numerous concerns, including illegal dumping, idling diesel trucks and improper storage of materials. 

"We saw the inactive rail line turn into a major neighborhood concern," Councilman Ramos said.

The Greenway will benefit the entire North Ward community, he said.

“This Greenway is more than a park — it’s a promise to our residents that every neighborhood deserves access to safe, beautiful, and connected public spaces,” Councilman Ramos. “Transforming this long-abandoned rail line into a vibrant corridor for walking, biking, and gathering reflects the kind of inclusive, forward-thinking investment our communities need. I’m proud to stand with our partners at every level of government in delivering this transformational project for Newark and beyond.”

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.

Newark Central Activity Center

The Newark Central Activity Center, the largest of these spaces, is between Summer Avenue and Broadway. Designed with inclusivity in mind, the activity center will feature amenities for people of all ages and abilities. The space includes a performance stage with an expansive lawn area to accommodate audiences of varying sizes, as well as an ADA-accessible adventure playground complete with slides, swings, climbing features, and a water play area. Additional amenities include ADA-accessible restroom facilities, outdoor exercise stations, space for a community garden, a shaded picnic grove and multi-sport courts suitable for basketball, street hockey and other organized sports.

Tiffany Manor Community Space

The Tiffany Manor Community Space will be located between Manchester Place and Greenwood Lake Street, directly across from the historic Tiffany Manor, which once served as Tiffany Company’s silver plate jewelry factory that was converted into apartments in 1996. The spot will feature a central seating area and a designated space for short-term amenities such as food trucks. Visitors will have picturesque views of Tiffany Manor, grassy lawn areas and a dedicated picnic space. Stormwater management features, including rain gardens and native plantings, will support the surrounding ecosystem.

Branch Brook Park Overlook

The Branch Brook Park Overlook will be west of Tiffany Manor and feature an observation deck offering sweeping views of Branch Brook Park and the Second River. The space will enable visitors to connect to the neighboring 360-acre Branch Brook Park, which offers access to the 36-mile Lenape Trail. Visitors will also be just steps away from Belleville Park and the Hendricks Field Golf Course.