Henry Hudson Trail

The Henry Hudson Trail is a rail trail in New Jersey.

The 21-mile paved multi-use trail is part of the Monmouth County, New Jersey Park System.

History

The original 9-mile "Atlantic" section is built on the former right-of-way of the Freehold and Atlantic Highlands Railroad, which was later absorbed by the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The Atlantic section extends from Aberdeen Township east to Atlantic Highlands and is a popular walkway used by walkers, runners, cyclists, and inline skaters. Horseback riders are also welcome, though in practice they are rarely seen. The original Atlantic section of the trail runs west-east, and has been in place since the 1990s.

In 2006 major work was completed to extend the trail from Aberdeen south to Freehold Township, making the total length approximately 21 miles. Two lengthy north-south segments of this extension are in place and open, the southernmost running for about 6 miles from Route 537 in Freehold Township north to Allen Road in Marlboro Township, and the middle segment running for about 5 1/2 miles from Station Road in Marlboro Township north to Stillwell Street in Matawan, on the southwest shore of Lake Matawan. A few miles of New Jersey Route 79 bridge the gap.

The final two “missing links” between the most southern, and middle sections, and the middle with the Atlantic section are on hold as NJ Transit must once again study [ [http://nbs.gmnews.com/News/2001/1025/Front_Page/011.html Sentinel, October 25, 2001] ] the use of the right-of-way for the MOM (Middlesex-Ocean-Monmouth proposed train line). These two missing links require trail users to bridge the gaps via a moderate traffic highway and various high traffic public streets for several miles.

External links

* [http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.asp?agency=130&Id=2525 Monmouth County Parks page on trail]
* [http://www.geocities.com/womgene/HenrySouth/hhSouthPage.htm Description of southern and middle sections]
* [http://www.geocities.com/womgene/HenryAtlantic/HenryHudsonTrail.htm Description of "Atlantic", ("eastern", original, or "old") section]
* [http://www.boblucky.com/Biking/NewJersey/Henryhudson/HHintro.htm Descriptive Henry Hudson Trial site with many photos]

References