MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — More than $2.2 million in funding for 10 trail improvement projects across Morris County has been recommended through the county’s Trail Construction Grant Program, with the Board of County Commissioners expected to vote on the proposals later this month.
Betty Cass-Schmidt, chairwoman of the Trail Construction Grant Advisory Committee, presented the 2026 recommendations during the commissioners’ public work session Thursday, Nov. 12, in Morristown.
The proposed grants would support trail design and construction projects in Denville, Jefferson Township, Lincoln Park, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Morris Plains, Mount Arlington, Pequannock, Riverdale and Washington Township.
“Since 2014, when voters overwhelmingly supported dedicating a portion of our open space dollars developing local trails, residents have been stepping onto the local trail network expanding throughout Morris County,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw. “On behalf of the entire board, I want to commend the work done by this committee and our dedicated staff and volunteers in reviewing each application and returning to us annually with thoughtful recommendations.”
The recommendations include one trail design project and nine construction projects.
In Washington Township, a $42,000 grant is recommended to design a 0.96-mile section of Patriot’s Path at Flocktown. The proposed stone dust and boardwalk trail would improve access to the historic trail system while connecting neighborhoods and open space.
The nine recommended construction projects include:
- Denville: A $345,000 grant for the first phase of the Muriel Hepner Trail Expansion, which would construct a 0.38-mile stone dust and boardwalk trail through freshwater wetlands.
- Jefferson Township: A $194,000 grant for the third phase of the Compton Gobel Trail Extension, completing a 0.51-mile gravel and stone dust trail that provides access to thousands of acres of preserved state, local and county lands.
- Lincoln Park: A $292,000 grant for the second phase of the Morris Canal Trail, constructing a 0.29-mile stone dust and boardwalk trail along the historic canal.
- Mendham Borough: A $272,000 grant for the second phase of the Borough Park & Arboretum Trail, creating a 0.52-mile porous pavement and stone dust trail through Borough Park and the future arboretum.
- Mendham Township: A $285,000 grant for the second phase of the Buck Hill Nature Trail, constructing a 0.21-mile stone dust and wood chip trail providing access to Dos Passos Pond off Tempe Wick Road.
- Morris Plains: A $134,000 grant for the second phase of the Community Park Trail, establishing a 0.36-mile stone dust loop around the park’s recreational areas.
- Mount Arlington: A $258,000 grant for the second phase of McGregor Trails, creating a natural-surface trail network through open space along McGregor Avenue, offering access to varied terrain, mine ruins and lake views.
- Pequannock: A $76,000 grant for the second phase of the Foothills Park Trail, completing a 0.15-mile section connecting to a previously funded trail project.
- Riverdale: A $391,000 grant for the second phase of the Independence Park Walking Trail, constructing a 0.42-mile porous pavement loop around the park’s recreational facilities.
The Trail Construction Grant Program is completing its 11th year. Since its inception in 2016, Morris County commissioners have approved 69 trail grants, resulting in nearly 28 miles of new trails being constructed and an additional 16 miles designed.
The program is funded through a portion of the county’s open space funding, following voter approval in 2014 to dedicate money toward developing local trails.
The Board of County Commissioners is expected to vote on the 2026 recommendations during its public meeting Monday, Nov. 23.
“If approved, these new projects will bring the county’s total investment in public trails to more than $7.7 million dollars,” said Program Chair Cass-Schmidt.
Additional information about the program is available on the Morris County Trail Construction Grant Program website.
