Henry Hudson Trail
Encyclopedia
The Henry Hudson Trail is a rail trail
in New Jersey
. The trail is named for Henry Hudson
to honor the man who explored
the harbor at Atlantic Highlands and the Raritan Bayshore
coastline in the early 1600s. The trail is not near the Hudson River
.
The 24 miles (38.6 km), 10 feet (3 m) paved multi-use
trail is part of the Monmouth County, New Jersey
Park System. The rail trail
traverses the Raritan Bayshore
and connects inland
to Freehold Township
using the former
rights of way of several rail lines. Much of the trail is tree-lined, with some views of surrounding wetlands, streams and fields
.
The property is currently railbanked by New Jersey Transit
(NJT),
who leases the line for trail usage to the Monmouth County Park System. The trail is administered
by the Monmouth County Park System and is leased through 2020 for the use as a trail. It is
important to note that this system is leased to the Monmouth County Park System and if future
economic conditions warrant resuming operation, NJT reserves the right to restore rail service
at any time. The railroad line was never officially abandoned
(unlike most rail trails).
The Henry Hudson Trail was the first rail-trail developed in Monmouth County,
and was joined by the Union Transportation
rail-trail in 2010.
The southern segment of the inland section of the Henry Hudson trail runs runs north–south
from county route 537 in Freehold to Stevenson Drive in Marlboro (directly across
from Marlboro High School).
The trail runs past the closed Youth Detention center
(where
there is ample parking) through subdivisions and tree lined fields. The Northern segment of the
trail can be accesses via route 79. This section was
opened in 2006.
Inland North
The northern segment of the inland section of the Henry Hudson trail runs north–south from Wyncrest road (A new addition)
in Marlboro to Church Street in Matawan. The trail runs
through wooded areas and subdivisions. The Atlantic segment of the trail can be accessed via
local streets. This section was opened in 2006. The most recent addition in early 2011.
Atlantic
The "Atlantic" section of the Henry Hudson trail was the first section to be developed
and runs west–east, it has been in place since 1992
.
The route roughly parallels route 36 from
the Garden State Parkway
to Atlantic Highlands, with trail heads at Lloyd Rd.
and Clark St. in Aberdeen/Keyport and Avenue D in Atlantic Highlands.
This section has many road crossings. A short on-road connection from Avenue D in Atlantic
Highlands allows trial users to link with the Bayshore Bike Trail.
Bayshore Bike Trail
A 1.4 miles (2.3 km) called the Bayshore Bike Trail opened on Earth Day
in April 2009. The Bayshore Bike Trail extends the existing "Atlantic" section of the Henry
Hudson Trail eastward from Avenue D across the bluffs
of Atlantic Highlands
, ending at Popamora Lake Park near
the Atlantic Highlands ferry
dock. The addition contains four boardwalks and a bridge that
traverses several marshy areas
.
Note that this short trail in hard packed stone dust and not asphalt.
Agricultural Railroad. The railroad carried produce, manufactured goods and Marl
fertilizer to the rail pier
in Keyport. The railroad can be seen on a map from
1873. All
service ceased in the 1950s. The
original 9 miles (14.5 km) "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
.
Throughout the 1990s, railbanking of the line between Freehold and
Matawan was considered. Freight service over this stretch of track had ceased in phases; first
in 1973 and then completely by Conrail in 1983. Ownership of the line changed hands several
times, eventually going to NJT. NJT, in turn, selected the rail corridor as one of three
options for its MOM (Middlesex
–
Ocean–Monmouth
) commuter
rail line proposal.
Eventually, NJT removed the Freehold-Matawan line from MOM consideration and leased the
line to Monmouth County for trail usage.
to Greenwood Road (Marlboro
) was closed for an 18-months project for a super fund clean
up at the site of the former Imperial oil company.
The anticipated reopening of this section of the trail is slated for late
2011.
The final two “missing links” are on hold as NJT has resurrected the idea of utilizing the
rail corridor for its MOM commuter rail line.
According to the Sierra Club, should the transit agency opt to restore commuter service along
the line, it would be the first instance in U.S history where a rail trail reverted back to
railway usage.
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The trail is named for Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson was an English sea explorer and navigator in the early 17th century. Hudson made two attempts on behalf of English merchants to find a prospective Northeast Passage to Cathay via a route above the Arctic Circle...
to honor the man who explored
the harbor at Atlantic Highlands and the Raritan Bayshore
Raritan Bayshore
The Raritan Bayshore region of New Jersey is the area around Raritan Bay from The Amboys to Sandy Hook, mostly in Monmouth County, including the towns from Keyport, New Jersey, "Pearl of the Bayshore", to Highlands, New Jersey. At Keansburg is a traditional amusement park while at Sandy Hook are...
coastline in the early 1600s. The trail is not near the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
.
The 24 miles (38.6 km), 10 feet (3 m) paved multi-use
trail is part of the Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
Park System. The rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
traverses the Raritan Bayshore
Raritan Bayshore
The Raritan Bayshore region of New Jersey is the area around Raritan Bay from The Amboys to Sandy Hook, mostly in Monmouth County, including the towns from Keyport, New Jersey, "Pearl of the Bayshore", to Highlands, New Jersey. At Keansburg is a traditional amusement park while at Sandy Hook are...
and connects inland
to Freehold Township
Freehold Township, New Jersey
Freehold Township is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 36,184. Freehold Township was first formed on October 31, 1693, and was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21,...
using the former
rights of way of several rail lines. Much of the trail is tree-lined, with some views of surrounding wetlands, streams and fields
.
The property is currently railbanked by New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
(NJT),
who leases the line for trail usage to the Monmouth County Park System. The trail is administered
by the Monmouth County Park System and is leased through 2020 for the use as a trail. It is
important to note that this system is leased to the Monmouth County Park System and if future
economic conditions warrant resuming operation, NJT reserves the right to restore rail service
at any time. The railroad line was never officially abandoned
Abandonment
The term abandonment has a multitude of uses, legal and extra-legal. This "signpost article" provides a guide to the various legal and quasi-legal uses of the word and includes links to articles that deal with each of the distinct concepts at greater length...
(unlike most rail trails).
The Henry Hudson Trail was the first rail-trail developed in Monmouth County,
and was joined by the Union Transportation
Union Transportation Trail
The Union Transportation Trail is a multi-use trail in Monmouth County, New Jersey running from the Homerstown section of southern Upper Freehold towards Imlaystown. The current developed length is with a final length of terminating in the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area...
rail-trail in 2010.
Trail sections
Inland SouthThe southern segment of the inland section of the Henry Hudson trail runs runs north–south
from county route 537 in Freehold to Stevenson Drive in Marlboro (directly across
from Marlboro High School).
The trail runs past the closed Youth Detention center
Youth detention center
A youth detention center, also known as a juvenile detention center , juvenile hall or, more colloquially as juvie, is a secure residential facility for young people, often termed juvenile delinquents, awaiting court hearings and/or placement in long-term care facilities and programs...
(where
there is ample parking) through subdivisions and tree lined fields. The Northern segment of the
trail can be accesses via route 79. This section was
opened in 2006.
Inland North
The northern segment of the inland section of the Henry Hudson trail runs north–south from Wyncrest road (A new addition)
in Marlboro to Church Street in Matawan. The trail runs
through wooded areas and subdivisions. The Atlantic segment of the trail can be accessed via
local streets. This section was opened in 2006. The most recent addition in early 2011.
Atlantic
The "Atlantic" section of the Henry Hudson trail was the first section to be developed
and runs west–east, it has been in place since 1992
.
The route roughly parallels route 36 from
the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
to Atlantic Highlands, with trail heads at Lloyd Rd.
and Clark St. in Aberdeen/Keyport and Avenue D in Atlantic Highlands.
This section has many road crossings. A short on-road connection from Avenue D in Atlantic
Highlands allows trial users to link with the Bayshore Bike Trail.
Bayshore Bike Trail
A 1.4 miles (2.3 km) called the Bayshore Bike Trail opened on Earth Day
Earth Day
Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the...
in April 2009. The Bayshore Bike Trail extends the existing "Atlantic" section of the Henry
Hudson Trail eastward from Avenue D across the bluffs
of Atlantic Highlands
Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey
Atlantic Highlands is a Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey in the Bayshore Region. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,385...
, ending at Popamora Lake Park near
the Atlantic Highlands ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
dock. The addition contains four boardwalks and a bridge that
traverses several marshy areas
.
Note that this short trail in hard packed stone dust and not asphalt.
History
The Marlboro Township section of the rail line began in the 1860s as the Monmouth CountyAgricultural Railroad. The railroad carried produce, manufactured goods and Marl
Marl
Marl or marlstone is a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud or mudstone which contains variable amounts of clays and aragonite. Marl was originally an old term loosely applied to a variety of materials, most of which occur as loose, earthy deposits consisting chiefly of an intimate mixture of clay...
fertilizer to the rail pier
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
in Keyport. The railroad can be seen on a map from
1873. All
service ceased in the 1950s. The
original 9 miles (14.5 km) "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
Central Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey , commonly known as the Jersey Central Lines or CNJ, was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s, lasting until 1976 when it was absorbed into Conrail with the other bankrupt railroads of the Northeastern United States...
.
Throughout the 1990s, railbanking of the line between Freehold and
Matawan was considered. Freight service over this stretch of track had ceased in phases; first
in 1973 and then completely by Conrail in 1983. Ownership of the line changed hands several
times, eventually going to NJT. NJT, in turn, selected the rail corridor as one of three
options for its MOM (Middlesex
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
–
Ocean–Monmouth
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
) commuter
rail line proposal.
Eventually, NJT removed the Freehold-Matawan line from MOM consideration and leased the
line to Monmouth County for trail usage.
Current status
On September 14, 2009 a portion of the southern section of the trail from Texas Road (Matawan)to Greenwood Road (Marlboro
Marlboro Township, New Jersey
-Weather:Marlboro is located close to the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the location Marlboro Township has on the Eastern Seaboard, the following weather features are noted:*On average, the warmest month is July where the average high is and the average low is ....
) was closed for an 18-months project for a super fund clean
up at the site of the former Imperial oil company.
The anticipated reopening of this section of the trail is slated for late
2011.
The final two “missing links” are on hold as NJT has resurrected the idea of utilizing the
rail corridor for its MOM commuter rail line.
According to the Sierra Club, should the transit agency opt to restore commuter service along
the line, it would be the first instance in U.S history where a rail trail reverted back to
railway usage.