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

2. 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…

3. Who is the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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!

12. 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

13. Contact Information
Megan Kelly, Morris Canal Greenway Project Manager, NJTPA Phone: Morris Canal Greenway Project Website: