Residents Invited to Help Improve Regional Trail Connections
Published on September 01, 2026
NJTPA Survey Seeks Input on Strengthening North Jersey’s Trail Network
Morris County residents and trail users are being invited to help identify gaps and barriers in the region’s trail network through a survey by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).
The online survey seeks input from people who walk, bike or roll in Morris, Passaic and Union counties, including feedback on where connections between trails and nearby destinations could be safer, easier and more comfortable.
The feedback will help inform recommendations being developed through NJTPA studies of the Pompton Valley Rail Trail and Traction Line Recreation Trail.
“Whether you walk or bike these trails regularly or just enjoy them from time to time, we want to hear from you. Your knowledge and experience of our trails helps us identify opportunities to improve safety and make our trail network even better,” said Morris County Commissioner Stephen H. Shaw, Third Vice Chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees. “We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your ideas.”
The NJTPA is seeking input not only from regular trail users, but also from residents who would like to walk or bike more but encounter barriers that make those trips difficult. Survey responses can help identify locations where missing connections, crossings or other conditions prevent people from comfortably continuing their trips.
Improving connections between existing trails can make them more useful for both recreation and everyday travel, providing better access to neighborhoods, parks, open spaces, transit and other destinations.
The survey is part of two NJTPA studies exploring potential improvements to the Pompton Valley Rail Trail and Traction Line Recreation Trail.
The Pompton Valley Rail Trail Extension Study is exploring ways to connect the northern end of the trail in Pequannock Township and the southern end of the Highlands Rail Trail in Wanaque Borough, as well as connecting the trail to the Mountain View Train Station in Wayne. The Traction Line Recreation Trail Extension Study is exploring options for connecting the Traction Line to Patriot’s Path and the Rahway Valley Rail Trail.
The studies are being conducted in partnership with the North Jersey Trail Network initiative, led by the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Residents can participate in the survey at bit.ly/nj-trails. The survey will remain open through Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.
More information about the trail studies is available at njtpa.org/trails.
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Photo 1: Runners, walkers, bicyclists and dog walkers are among the many users of the Pompton Valley Rail Trail each day.
Photo 2: A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the Pompton Valley Rail Trail in May 2025. From left, Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, who is also secretary of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, Morris County Commissioner and liaison to the Morris County Park Commission Doug Cabana, Pequannock Council members Melissa Florance-Lynch and David Kohle, Morris County Park Commissioner Betty Cass-Schmidt, Pequannock Mayor John Driesse, Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen, and Chris Vitz, Morris County Engineer and Director of the Department of Public Works.