The Passaic River Parkway Trail is one of the three “emerald necklaces” in the Union County Parks System envisioned by the famous Olmsted Brothers landscape architectural firm that designed the parks system in the 1920s. The design created major parks like Warinanco, Nomahegan and Cedar Brook, along with links, wherever possible, utilizing the three rivers that course through the County.
Passaic River Parkway Trail
On the Passaic River, with the acquisition of more than 400 acres along the river in the 1960s, and parcels since then, the vision for the Passaic River Parkway is slowly becoming a reality. (UC Parks is also working with the National Parks Service to expand boating on the river as part of the Passaic River Blueway project. With less than 20 percent of the property bordering the river privately owned, it’s been possible to develop more trails for visitors to explore.
The 2011 Bio-Blitz identified 652 species in the PRP, including: 241 plants; 69 fungi;11 bryophytes (small, herbaceous plants); 258 insects; 9 aquatic insects; 8 reptiles & amphibians; 6 fish and 9 mammals. (ucnj.org/bio-blitz) This section of the park also includes a wildflower meadow, bird boxes, a canoe launch, a bird blind and a deer enclosure. The trail highlighted on this map was developed in a joint effort between Union County and the Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission.
The Northern New Jersey Cachers, NNJC is about promoting a quality caching experience in Northern New Jersey. For information on The Northern New Jersey Cachers group you can visit: www.nnjc.org.
NNJC.ORG