December, 2000

The Passaic River Nature Trail moved a step closer to reality as local volunteers began to lay out the precise route for the trail.  The five township residents (Rosemary Agrista, Roger Edwards, Edward Gerecht, Leonard Hamilton, and Robert Stanton) began their work on the first segment of the trail that will run along the banks of the Passaic River from the bridge at the western edge of Millington on Valley Road to South Main Avenue in Stirling, covering about 3.5 miles.   View a map.

The rustic trail will have no artificial or prepared surfaces, and will be designed to appeal to hikers, bird-watchers, and others who are interested in a quiet walk through the woods.  Portions of the trail will require minor clearing of underbrush, but the only structures will be an occasional log bridge over small ditches and a couple of narrow, freestanding, plank bridges across larger drainage ditches.

In addition to  marking the trail, the group is cataloguing special features such as specimen trees, ecosystems, geological features, and wildlife habitat.  Stanton pointed out that "hikers interested in trees will have the opportunity to see stands of mature shagbark hickory, spectacular sycamores and pin oaks, and the uncommon river birch."  Numerous species of birds, a fox, a muskrat, and the all-too-common whitetail deer have also been observed in the region.

The project is an outgrowth of the March, 1999 Future Search process in which Long Hill officials, business and civic groups and local residents met for a three-day conference in the Gillette School.  About 70 local citizens participated in this wide-ranging discussion of Long Hill's future, and then divided into subcommittees to further study and implement the ideas.

"Our group, the Passaic River Park and Pathways Committee," said Agrista, "developed the concept for the river trail and worked to obtain approval from the Long Hill Township Planning Board, Morris County Parks, and the Morris Trail Conservancy."

Hamilton pointed out that, "most portions of the trail lie within Morris County lands and can be developed immediately, while other segments will require easements along the river's edge.  The Township is working with us to obtain these easements from private owners as well as public utilities and the State."

The long-range goals of the group include the extension of the trail to the new Town Hall, the Senior Center, and Berkeley Heights, with other segments branching out into local neighborhoods and shopping areas.  "Our top priority," said Hamilton "is to draw attention to the quiet, natural beauty of the Passaic River and its surrounds.  We have, in a sense, turned our back on the river, and many of our residents hardly know that this wonderful natural resource exists."

The group hopes to dedicate the first segment of the trail and open it to the public within the next year.