The Canal Society of NJ is negotiating with the State Park Service to lease this 2-acre property containing a former residence and Canal Store, on Waterloo Road in Allamuchy Township. The goal is to create a trailhead facility and interpretive center adjacent to the Morris Canal Greenway Trail in Allamuchy Mt. State Park. The property was recently acquired by the State Park Service under Green Acres and is available for lease to either a non-profit or a residential tenant. The proposed facility would provide parking, ADA compliant restrooms and interpretive displays for hikers and others exploring the Greenway Trail and would ensure the continuity of this portion of the Morris Canal Greenway, which is a major conservation and preservation initiative of the Society and its partners.

The CSNJ is negotiating a long-term lease with the NJ DEP, Dept. of Parks & Forestry, so there are no acquisition costs. Funds will be used for labor and construction costs in bringing the house up to code for public assembly and in compliance with the ADA. This will include upgrading the restrooms, enlarging doorways, adding interior and exterior ramps, and adding fire and emergency lights and signs, in addition to basic repairs.

The future trailhead facility sits at a trail intersection of four long-distance trails. Three of them follow the Morris Canal towpath through the Musconetcong valley: the 100-mile Morris Canal Greenway Trail; the 150-mile Highlands Trail, which stretches from Storm King Mountain on the Hudson River to Phillipsburg, NJ on the Delaware River; and the Liberty Water Gap Trail, which runs across northern New Jersey from Liberty State Park on the Hudson River to the Delaware Water Gap on the Delaware River. The fourth long-distance trail, Patriots Path, transects Morris County and will eventually terminate in Stephens State Park, which is adjacent to this property. The property is ideally located for visitor access to and interpretation of the Morris Canal Greenway Trail.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Outreach, Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- trailhead facility; Environmental education- interpretive displays

Total Project Cost: $78,000

In 2008, CRI provided $2,500 in funding for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.

Status: To date, the CSNJ has received grants of $5,000 each from the Leavens Foundation and the NJ Highlands Coalition towards the project. They will be applying to the National Recreational Trails Program and to the Warren County Municipal and Charitable Trust for a major portion of the construction costs. Many of the construction costs will likely be offset by donated materials and labor, as the Canal Society membership has a long tradition of hands-on work.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.

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