Governor Murphy, Commissioner LaTourette and elected officials break ground on the nearly one-mile Newark segment of the Greenway project

July 17, 2025

Today (7/15), Governor Phil Murphy joined local, county and state officials in Newark 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.

Check out a video recap of the groundbreaking ceremony below: 

Places to Gather

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.