The Pompton Valley Rail Tail Officially Opens
Published on May 30, 2025
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Milestone in Morris County
Morris County marked a major milestone this week with the official opening of the Pompton Valley Rail Trail, a 5.1-mile multi-use path constructed atop a former railroad and stretching from Pequannock Township to Wayne.
About 100 local officials, residents and partners responsible for constructing the trail gathered Thursday behind the Pequannock First Aid Squad to cut the ribbon on the scenic, accessible route that was three decades in the making.
View More Photos from the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Morris County Commissioners Tayfun Selen, Stephen Shaw and Douglas Cabana were joined by representatives from the Morris County Park Commission, Morris County Department of Public Works, Passaic County Board of County Commissioners and Pequannock Township to celebrate the completion of the trail. The new recreational path runs from River Drive in Pequannock to Mountain View Boulevard in Wayne, near NJ Transit’s Mountain View Station.
“This new trail provides a safe and scenic way to walk or bike to the train station -- cutting down on car traffic and helping everyone breathe a little easier. The 10-foot-wide paved path is fully accessible and has multiple entry points, allowing residents to step onto the trail right from their neighborhoods,” said Director Tayfun Selen.
Design and construction of the project -- formerly known as the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Bicycle and Pedestrian Shared Use Path after the rail line it repurposes -- was managed by the Morris County Department of Public Works. According to Morris County Engineer Christopher Vitz, the trail was the largest infrastructure project in his department’s history.
Construction began in 2022 and was funded by a $32 million federal grant administered by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).
“I want to thank the NJTPA for securing the federal funding made this trail possible. This project is just one example of the many ways that we work together on everything from trails to safety and infrastructure investments. Another example is our shared vision for the Morris Canal Greenway, which we hope will one day stretch from the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, through Morris County, to the Hudson River in Jersey City,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, who also serves as secretary of the NJTPA.
“This project is a great example of how we work together across county lines and across party lines to advance regionally significant projects. This project not only connects folks to the Mountain View train station in Wayne, but also brings us one step closer to our vision for a much larger regional trail network,” said Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, who has been a member of the NJTPA Board of Trustees since 2013.
Safety was also a top priority when designing and constructing the trail, which includes upgraded crossings with high-visibility signals, clear signage and tactile surfaces for visually impaired users. A landmark bridge spanning the Pompton River was among the final elements completed.
“One of the great benefits of the quality of life here in Morris County is our park system. This trail is nearly twice the length of the Traction Line in Morristown, and we hope it becomes just as popular for families and residents to enjoy,” said Commissioner Douglas Cabana, liaison to the Park Commission.
As a token of appreciation, Morris County Park Commission Executive Director Dave Helmer presented commemorative railroad spikes to key project contributors during the ceremony. The spikes, collected over several years and personally assembled by Morris County Park Commissioner Richard Seabury, were labeled with imprinted brass tags reading: “Pompton Valley Rail Trail, Dedicated May 29, 2025.”
The Pompton Valley Rail Trail is now the longest bike and pedestrian trail maintained by the Morris County Park Commission, adding 5.1 miles to more than 260 miles of county park trails and pathways. It also adds 57 acres to the Park Commission’s stewardship of land, bringing its total to over 20,600 acres -- the largest county park system in New Jersey.
“I believe this trail system will probably be our second busiest trail system next to the Loantaka Brook Reservation trail system in Morristown and Morris Township, which receives 850,000 visitors. That's a tough one to beat, but with this one I expect we'll see about 150 to 200,000 visitors this year alone,” said Helmer.
During the ceremony, Helmer thanked Sheriff James Gannon and Chief Jack Ambrose of the Sheriff’s Patrol Division, who were present, for their support in maintaining trail safety along with township first responders. Participating in the ceremony were Betty Cass-Schmidt, a Morris County Park Commissioner and Pequannock resident, along with Pequannock Township Mayor John Driesse and Councilmembers David Kohle and Melissa Florance-Lynch. Chris Williams, director of Community Engagement & Grants for Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, was also present.
Special thanks were extended to numerous contributors, including the NJTPA, the New York & Susquehanna & Western Railroad, NV5 of Parsippany, New Prince Concrete Construction of Hackensack, French & Parrello Associates of Wall, the Norfolk Southern Railway, and the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission for their roles in the project.
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Photo 1: Cutting the ribbon to officially open the trail are, 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.
Photo 2: Marty Lawrence of Wayne walks with his dog Olive on the Pompton Valley Rail Trail, already in use by runners, walkers, bicyclists and other dog walkers.
Photo 3: Commissioner Deputy Director Shaw speaking to the crowd of attendees.