It’s been ten years since Al Kent conceived of the Liberty Water Gap Trail.

And it is a vision that remains unique within America to this day:

– a trail connecting two national landmarks at each end:
the Delaware Water Gap and the Statue of Liberty;

– a linear park running from border to border that showcases
some of the state’s most interesting natural and historic heritage;

– a multi-use path providing a literal cross-section of
urban, suburban and country life across New Jersey.

The Liberty Water Gap Trail is nearly complete.
From its western terminus near Columbia on the Delaware River
to its current eastern terminus just north of Liberty State Park
on the Hudson River, the now eight component trails that comprise
this ‘trail of trails’ are essentially complete, together comprising
a trail that winds 130 miles across the state to connect two national landmarks:
the Delaware Water Gap and the Statue of Liberty.

All that remains to complete Al Kent’s vision of this unique statewide trail is
to put in place signage to signify and promote how these eight trails
are all linked together to create this unique greenway that provides
a wonderful cross-section of some of New Jersey’s best historical and natural attractions.

A lot of progress has been made over the past several years to achieve this.

– Liberty State Park has given its approval to establish the LWGT
along the entire route laid out by Al Kent;

– joint signage for the East Coast Greenway and LWGT is now in place
along the entire 10 mile stretch between downtown Newark and downtown Jersey City
where these two great trails are co-aligned;

– the NJ DOT has completed a $1 Million sidewalk improvement project entitled
‘The Liberty to Water Gap Sidewalk Project’ which provides safe passage for
pedestrians and bikers along the LWGT between Jersey City and Newark;

– the New York New Jersey Trail Conference and Essex County Dept of Parks and Recreation
have officially adopted the Lenape Trail, ensuring that this beautiful
30 mile Essex County component of the LWGT will be maintained for posterity; and

– on the opposite, western end of the trail, the township of Knowlton
has completed a beautiful new two mile trail (the Knowlton Trail) connecting
the Paulinskill Valley Trail to the pedestrian footbridge across the Delaware River.

So essentially all of the groundwork has literally been laid, and all that remains
is to establish a coordinated effort among the collection of state, county, local government,
and non-profit organizations that maintain these eight component trails.

One very important way to catalyze such collaboration is for the public to show its support.
So if you believe in the unique value that the Liberty Water Gap Trail has to offer;
if you believe that multi-use greenways and linear parks are concepts whose time has come;
if you believe that establishing walking and bicycling paths right in our own backyard represents
a beneficial and enjoyable way to get out of the house and experience a unique form of recreation…
show your support by clicking on the link.

Send an e-mail to by clicking on the ‘Contact Us’ link.  It will be forwarded to
the New York New Jersey Trail Conference, who are helping to coordinate this statewide effort.

Help support the effort.   I think it’s time to fulfill Al Kent’s vision while he’s still alive and well.

The Liberty Water Gap Trail Steering Committe