Morris Canal Greenway

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The Morris Canal Greenway is envisioned as a 111-mile continuous pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting six counties in northern New Jersey. Once completed it will extend from the Delaware River on the west to the Hudson River on the east.

Many segments of the greenway have already been completed, but much work remains to create a continuous trail. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), in partnership with the Canal Society of New Jersey and the Morris Canal Working Group, completed a study that presents a plan for a continuous greenway closely aligned with the historic canal route.

MORRIS CANAL WORKING GROUP

The Morris Canal Working Group, formed by the NJTPA in 2012, brings together stakeholders and has been spearheading efforts to preserve the canal. The group welcomes participation from all interested groups and members of the public. Stakeholders can get involved in the following ways:

Mission Statement

To preserve and enhance the historic Morris Canal route, a national engineering and transportation treasure, and the cultural landscape through which it passes in a manner that interconnects communities and links heritage tourism points of interest by serving as a near continuous greenway of open space across the northern New Jersey region; preserve the canal’s scenic, recreational, and historic resources, recognizing the role it plays in sustaining and improving the quality of life for New Jersey residents and attracting economic growth; tell the story of life along the canal, its influence on past events and its relevance to today’s society to support education and foster community pride and preservation; highlight its distinctive mountain climbing characteristics and the ingenious use of inclined planes; and provide convenient urban, suburban and rural access to a trail for non-motorized transportation.

Meeting Recordings

The Morris Canal Greenway is envisioned as a 111-mile continuous pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting six counties in northern New Jersey. Once completed it will extend from the Delaware River on the west to the Hudson River on the east.

Many segments of the greenway have already been completed, but much work remains to create a continuous trail. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), in partnership with the Canal Society of New Jersey and the Morris Canal Working Group, completed a study that presents a plan for a continuous greenway closely aligned with the historic canal route.

MORRIS CANAL WORKING GROUP

The Morris Canal Working Group, formed by the NJTPA in 2012, brings together stakeholders and has been spearheading efforts to preserve the canal. The group welcomes participation from all interested groups and members of the public. Stakeholders can get involved in the following ways:

Mission Statement

To preserve and enhance the historic Morris Canal route, a national engineering and transportation treasure, and the cultural landscape through which it passes in a manner that interconnects communities and links heritage tourism points of interest by serving as a near continuous greenway of open space across the northern New Jersey region; preserve the canal’s scenic, recreational, and historic resources, recognizing the role it plays in sustaining and improving the quality of life for New Jersey residents and attracting economic growth; tell the story of life along the canal, its influence on past events and its relevance to today’s society to support education and foster community pride and preservation; highlight its distinctive mountain climbing characteristics and the ingenious use of inclined planes; and provide convenient urban, suburban and rural access to a trail for non-motorized transportation.

Meeting Recordings

  • Sierra Club NJ: Fighting for Parks and Trails

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    From the early 1800s until it was abandoned in the 1920s, the Morris Canal flowed 102 miles across New Jersey, from the Delaware River to the Hudson. For decades now, there has been a robust effort to reclaim segments of the old canal towpath. Today there are close to 40 miles of the Morris Canal Greenway (MCG) completed and open to the public, with many more sections in various stages of development. (sierraclub.org, published 3/1/2026)

    From the early 1800s until it was abandoned in the 1920s, the Morris Canal flowed 102 miles across New Jersey, from the Delaware River to the Hudson. For decades now, there has been a robust effort to reclaim segments of the old canal towpath. Today there are close to 40 miles of the Morris Canal Greenway (MCG) completed and open to the public, with many more sections in various stages of development. (sierraclub.org, published 3/1/2026)

  • Lehigh Valley Live: Millions may be coming to revitalize dilapidated Phillipsburg park

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    Phillipsburg is proposed to receive $2.4 million toward redeveloping a portion of its riverside recreation area and trail system. The project design intends to create better access to the historic Morris Canal and Rails-to-Trails network which would connect New Jersey and Pennsylvania, by the D&L Trail. (LehighValleyLive.com, 2/8/2026)

    Phillipsburg is proposed to receive $2.4 million toward redeveloping a portion of its riverside recreation area and trail system. The project design intends to create better access to the historic Morris Canal and Rails-to-Trails network which would connect New Jersey and Pennsylvania, by the D&L Trail. (LehighValleyLive.com, 2/8/2026)

  • Improvements and Acquisitions along Morris Canal Greenway

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    The Morris Canal Working Group held its bi-annual virtual meeting on December 9, 2025, spotlighting improvements along the entire Morris Canal Greenway corridor and at Waterloo Village, potential Greenway land acquisition, planned wayfinding signs and the North Jersey Trail Network Initiative. Read about it on the NJTPA blog.

    The Morris Canal Working Group held its bi-annual virtual meeting on December 9, 2025, spotlighting improvements along the entire Morris Canal Greenway corridor and at Waterloo Village, potential Greenway land acquisition, planned wayfinding signs and the North Jersey Trail Network Initiative. Read about it on the NJTPA blog.

  • Wharton Celebrates Restoration of Historic Morris Canal Lock and Lock Tenders House

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    The Borough of Wharton celebrated the completion of a 16-year-long project to restore Lock 2 East, an integral part of the former Morris Canal, and the adjacent Lock Tenders House, with a ribbon cutting ceremony during its annual Canal Day festival on August 20, 2022. Read about it on the NJTPA blog.

    The Borough of Wharton celebrated the completion of a 16-year-long project to restore Lock 2 East, an integral part of the former Morris Canal, and the adjacent Lock Tenders House, with a ribbon cutting ceremony during its annual Canal Day festival on August 20, 2022. Read about it on the NJTPA blog.

Page last updated: 18 Jun 2026, 05:49 PM