TENAFLY, N.J.—Two representatives of Northern Valley Greenway committee told the Tenafly Borough Council members Sept. 9 that—following a detailed technical study that found a greenway feasible—the committee will be conducting outreach and hoping to develop a design plan for a future 7.4-mile greenway that spans six towns and impacts over a dozen communities.
The technical study’s release Sept. 9 kicks off another round of public outreach, public input and efforts to identify and apply for state and federal grants to continue the greenway design process based on the planning study findings, said interlocal greenway committee team leader Andrew Mikesh.
The greenway interlocal committee needs to seek additional public and government support for the effort, as it continues possible negotiations with CSX Corp., of Jacksonville, Fla., to acquire its 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.
Evron offers details
Christine Evron, Tenafly’s greenway committee representative, gave a short presentation on study highlights, which included descriptions of three alternative designs proposed. These include designs for a greenway and linear park, a shared-use path, and a third option called “rail with trail” design, which failed to meet minimum standards needed.
Evron is also Tenafly Chamber of Commerce president.
During her presentation, Evron told council members though most residents preferred the proposed design for a greenway and linear park, which includes separate speed paths for bikers, joggers and pedestrians and greenway widths up to 60 feet through parts of many towns, no final decision has been made on what design to select.
Most residents of six towns attending the public input session March 5 overwhelmingly supported the option for a greenway and linear park, which would allow future amenities to be added throughout the greenway.
These may include items such as benches, exercise stations, landscaping, bicycle racks, water fountains, bicycle rentals, shade/storm shelters, information kiosks, air pumps, directional signs, art installations, memorials, and picnic/break areas.
A “visioning exercise” held March 5 allowed meeting participants to place stickers on amenities most desired in a future greenway.
The 222-page detailed technical planning study, conducted by NV5—an engineering consultant hired and paid by the state Department of Transportation—provides a wealth of data on the six municipalities traversed by the greenway, including Tenafly, Cresskill, Demarest, Closter, Norwood and Northvale.
Greenway widths vary
It describes the greenway study area, including railroad right-of-ways in each town, typical cross-sections that detail trail widths within each town, crossings/culverts, and analyzes each of three greenway design options.
The analysis includes design criteria and expectations, safety, separation of speeds, level of service, cost, constructability, maintenance, handicap (ADA) accessibility, connectivity substandard design elements, permits and approvals needed, wetland/riparian impacts, and site remediation effort needed with each design.
Evron said some “immediate steps” involve identifying a future owner for the greenway and sources of funding to purchase the unused rail line.
Ownership needed
“We have been assuming that the municipalities don’t want ownership of their segments…we would appreciate it if this were confirmed,” said Evron. “Assuming the municipalities don’t want it, we are working with Bergen County to identify the best strategy for final ownership and maintenance considerations.”
She said the consultant’s report provides no greenway construction timeline “but we can be sure it won’t be built in a year or two.” She noted the report concludes there are no fatal flaws to prevent such a greenway from proceeding to completion.
“We’re very excited by this project,” she said.
Future greenway street crossings will be determined via engineering and local considerations incorporated into a final greenway design concept, Evron said.
Mikesh said a plan would be put together to identify an owner for the greenway and future financial funding and support.
He said that owner would be working with other entities and contractors in the future to undertake greenway design and construction.
Mikesh said the interlocal greenway committee “owns” the consultant’s completed technical study and now moves forward with finding a greenway owner (a government agency or nonprofit) and plans to identify and secure funding for a future greenway.
Mikesh said federal/state funds generally only go to an entity such as a government agency to oversee and manage greenway operations.
Basch questioned “the costs and the revenues possible” from a greenway and Evron asked him whether the borough was interested in coordinating its efforts with five other towns to manage an interlocal greenway.
‘Very preliminary’
“We’re asking too many questions now. This is a very preliminary stage,” said Mayor Peter Rustin.
Mikesh noted representatives from the greenway committee will come back with more detailed information once plans evolve.
Other greenway technical report presentations took place Sept. 11 in Norwood and Closter, and are planned Sept. 23 in Demarest, and Oct. 2 in Cresskill. Norwood’s presentation date is not yet confirmed.
Photos courtesy Northern Valley Greenway Technical Planning Assistance Report