MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners is considering more than $1.2 million in grants for the design and construction of municipal trails across the county, marking the next phase of its decade-long Trail Construction Grant Program.
During the board’s Oct. 21 public work session, Betty Cass-Schmidt, chair of the Trail Construction Grant Advisory Committee, presented the 2025 funding recommendations, which include projects in Jefferson, Long Hill, Dover, Florham Park, Hanover, Madison, Netcong, and Rockaway Township.
“Tonight’s presentation provides an opportunity for questions and discussion. The board will not be taking any formal action until our next meeting, when we’ll consider the committee’s recommendations and vote accordingly,” said Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, liaison to the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation. “The work done by this committee, along with our dedicated volunteers and staff, is truly outstanding. Morris County residents can be confident that their Preservation Trust Fund tax dollars are being invested wisely.”
The County Commissioners are expected to vote on whether to accept the recommendations during their Nov. 5 meeting.
If approved, the projects will bring the county’s total investment to nearly $7.8 million, helping establish more than 35 miles of trails since the program’s inception in 2016. Funding comes from the Morris County Open Space & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which voters approved in 1992 and expanded in 2002 to include historic preservation.
“A referendum for the program was passed in 2014 by a 3-to-1 margin. The first time the trail committee provided funding recommendations was in 2016,” Cass-Schmidt said. “To date, 36 of 39 municipalities have received grants. This year, there are two new applicants: Dover and Rockaway Township.”
Since 2021, the county’s Design & Permitting Category has allowed municipalities to better assess project needs and estimate construction costs.
Proposed 2025 Trail Design Projects
- Dover Mountain Trail (Dover): $60,000 to design a 0.85-mile trail on the Dover Watershed Property, offering scenic overlooks and connections between neighborhoods and the business district.
- Spring Garden Lake Nature Trail (Florham Park): $78,000 for a 0.56-mile trail featuring stone dust and boardwalk paths around Spring Garden Lake.
- Forrest Way Greenway Trail (Hanover Township): $120,000 for a 1.59-mile trail through the former Route 24 right-of-way, linking open spaces and Patriots’ Path.
- Summerhill Park Trail Additions (Madison): $44,800 for an additional 0.87 miles of trails, connecting to Memorial Park and Central Green Park.
- Netcong Greenway Trail (Netcong): $109,320 for a 0.87-mile expansion of the Morris Canal Greenway Trail along Lake Musconetcong.
- Egbert Lake Greenway (Rockaway Township): $62,880 for a 0.80-mile trail along the old Wharton & Northern Railroad line to Egberts Lake.
Proposed 2025 Trail Construction Projects
- Compton Gobel Trail Extension (Jefferson): $259,160 to complete the second phase of a 1.25-mile trail providing access to thousands of acres of preserved lands.
- Central Park Loop Trail (Long Hill Township): $478,860 for 1.18 miles of stone dust and boardwalk trail through wooded wetlands, connecting recreation areas and local businesses.
Since 2016, Morris County has approved 61 trail grants, resulting in nearly 23 miles of new trails and 13 miles of trail designs across its municipalities.
More information about the Trail Construction Grant Program is available on the Official Website of Morris County, N.J.
