Working Together to Make It Happen: Implementing the Morris Canal Greenway Megan Kelly, Principal Planner North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority

Project Initiation Individuals 100 Years in the Making of Efforts by…….. Non-Profits Municipalities Grass-roots Individuals Designated for Park Space in Municipal and County Master Plans and Open Space Plans Morris Canal Greenway Logo developed in 1980s Efforts lacked a regional overview Counties And Now a Regional Agency…

Who is the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority?

North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority The Metropolitan Planning Organization for Northern New Jersey Bergen Essex Hudson Hunterdon Middlesex Monmouth Morris Ocean Passaic Jersey City Somerset Sussex Union Warren Newark NJDOT Governor Rep. Citizens’ Rep. Port Authority NJ Transit STANDING COMMITTEES Planning & Economic Development Committee Project Prioritization Committee Freight Initiative Committee Regional Transportation Advisory Committee

Who are the NJTPA members? Morris Canal Bergen Morris Essex Newark Hudson Ocean Hunterdon Passaic Jersey City Somerset Add Morris Canal Route to Map and Label Counties in Corridor Middlesex Sussex Monmouth Union Warren

Demonstrated Regional Need Representing more than half of the corridor length (68 miles) 3 NJTPA members applied for planning funding in 2010 Greenway objective among all applicants In 2012 NJTPA forms the Morris Canal Working Group

Role of the NJTPA Facilitate a forum for all interested stakeholders Help grow statewide identity & identify greenway needs Greenway efforts were individual before start of working group Sponsored (2) planning studies in Warren County and Jersey City (2011 & 2012) Administers Federal Transportation Funds….such as in partnership with NJDOT onthe recently released Transportation Alternatives Program

Morris Canal Working Group Comprised of State, County, Municipalities and Non-Profits: Canal Society of NJ; Office of Planning Advocacy; Department of Environmental Protection; NJ Historic Trust; All (6) Counties, and more… Membership over 150 and growing Meetings rotate throughout corridor Working Group Meeting # 2 July 2012 Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Working Group Activities Vision Statement & Goals Established Held a variety of meetings (10) since inception Morris Canal Greenway Conference TransAction Panel (April 9th at 10:45am) Upcoming Morris Canal Greenway Corridor Study (NJTPA funded) Canal Society of New Jersey

Vision 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; …preserves this mountain-climbing 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; …tells 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; …highlights its distinctive mountain climbing characteristics and the ingenious use of inclined planes; …provides convenient (urban, suburban and rural) access to a trail for non- motorized transportation Trail in Oakland, CA

Morris Canal Greenway Main Goal To preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the former Morris Canal right-of-way for conversion into a public greenway. Membership in the MCWG: Is open to all interested parties Formed in 2012 by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority to bring stakeholders together in an open forum Comprised of federal, state, county and local representatives, in addition to non-profit organizations. Lots of info on MCWG web page! http://www.njtpa.org/Planning/Regional-Studies/Bicycle-Pedestrian/Morris-Canal-Working-Group.aspx

Want to Get Involved? Join Morris Canal Working Group (meets approximately 2-3 times per year) Serve on a Morris Canal Working Group Committees Attend municipal outreach meetings (May and June) Help promote the Morris Canal Greenway Help with the Morris Canal Greenway Corridor Study Morris Canal Plane 12 East-Newark Canal Society of New Jersey

Contact Information Megan Kelly, Morris Canal Greenway Project Manager, NJTPA Phone: 973-639-8414 Email: mkelly@njtpa.org Morris Canal Greenway Project Website: http://www.MorrisCanalGreenway.org