ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—An effort to include Englewood’s now regularly used CSX rail line in a proposed six-town, 7.4-mile greenway is underway although the proposed city rail line was never included in a state agency’s recent planning report on a future Northern Valley Greenway.
In addition, Englewood was not originally part of the six “core” towns that supported the greenway effort, and did not participate in the official
Northern Valley Greenway’s kickoff event held in July 2018.
The greenway’s initial technical planning study, funded by the state Department of Transportation and released in September, did not include Englewood it its initial six-town planning area, note Northern Valley Greenway officials.
Moreover, every map included in the technical planning study shows the greenway ending its southern terminus in Tenafly and never entering Englewood.
Two reasons why Englewood was never part of the original six-town, 7.4-mile-long greenway is that the Englewood rail line is regularly used for freight deliveries, and it’s targeted for a future extension of a New Jersey Transit Hudson-Bergen light rail line ending just over the Tenafly border, according to greenway officials.
The long-delayed light-rail extension into Bergen County—initially planned to begin construction in 2011—is on hold as the federal transportation department continues to review an environmental impact study submitted by New Jersey Transit.
Moreover, federal and state funding needed to complete the estimated $2 billion project is unclear and uncertain, say transportation advocates.
The proposed greenway’s 7.4 miles encompass an unused CSX rail line corridor that traverses six Northern Valley towns: Tenafly, Cresskill, Demarest, Closter, Norwood and Northvale.
‘Trail ends abruptly’
“Shockingly, the plan for the [greenway] trail ends abruptly just before the northern Englewood border, excluding Englewood, Teaneck, Leonia and other towns, despite the fact that the construction of such a trail would require county, state and federal funds. We believe that the trail should extend through Englewood [rail and trail in Englewood] and connect to Overpeck Park to provide residents safe access to the best recreational opportunities Bergen County has to offer,” wrote Lisa Wisotsky and Ken Rosenzweig in an Englewood Community Forum newsletter posted Feb. 18.
The not-for-profit group’s newsletter said that a study to investigate “the effects of the proposed Northern Valley Greenway on our communities and possible connection to it” was planned. No study details or timeline was provided.
The newsletter featured a picture of Wisotsky and Rosenzweig with Democratic state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck).
The emailed newsletter said over 100 officials had expressed support and “we are now working with local governments to make sure that the towns that were excluded have a seat at the table,” such as Englewood, Teaneck and other nearby towns.
Except for Weinberg, officials supporting Englewood’s inclusion were not identified.
‘Happy to help’
Andrew Mikesh, team leader for the Northern Valley Greenway’s interlocal committee, said he was “happy to help” the Englewood group begin its own effort to undertake planning efforts for a local greenway in Englewood but that the state Department of Transportation defined the original greenway study area, including the six towns, and Englewood was not part of the area or technical planning study.
‘Form a committee’
“They need to do what we did. Form a committee, conduct a study, and figure out what to do or what is possible there,” said Mikesh.
He said that the state Department of Transportation defined the Northern Valley Greenway study area “and there are good reasons for that.”
He said he’s “been very open to [Englewood] and my message to them hasn’t changed” when told of a city group’s new effort to include their rail line in the greenway.
Mikesh said he remains available to help the group pursue its greenway goals but complicating factors remain its current use for freight and potential light rail use.
Currently, Mikesh said the Northern Valley Greenway’s interlocal committee is conducting training for outreach and beginning efforts to put together a strategic plan for the greenway, while continuing communication with CSX Transportation officials over possible purchase of the unused rail line.
The abandoned rail line would likely be purchased under a “railbanking agreement” whereby the railroad conglomerate would sell the unused line to a government or not-for-profit entity—still to be determined—who would own, manage and maintain the greenway.
Late last year, Northern Valley Greenway proponents, including Mikesh, lobbied county Parks department officials to include the future greenway in its first-ever Parks Department Master Plan.
The Master Plan highlighted the Northern Valley Greenway as an example of a possible project the county could get behind in the future.
‘Not against Englewood’
“We have a greenway project and the project was defined early on. We’re not against Englewood or anyone but the reality is that CSX is using the rail line there,” said Mikesh, noting the 7.4 miles extending through the greenway’s six towns has been unused for years.
Mikesh said Englewood can conduct its own study and define “a second project” that could possibly be added to the original greenway in the future.
He said that a greenway can serve as a connector to parks, open spaces, and other green spaces.
“Let us establish a base here and once that base is established, we can probably add other connectors. But that would probably be done in phases over the years,” he added.
‘Study the concept’
Reached Feb. 20, Wisotsky said they viewed a trail as complimentary to light rail and noted “how this is to be accomplished here is to be determined by the design consultants.”
“The important goal is to study the concept and how the connection through Englewood can be accomplished,” she emailed.
“To do anything less is both a disservice to those this fantastic potential amenity will serve and a missed opportunity. The benefits of connectivity for commuters, walkers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts are enormous,” she added.