Incorporated as a township with Verona in 1842. Thomas Jacobus purchased the entire valley from the Indians in the early 1700's. The families of VanRipers, Personnettes, Canfields, and Bowdens developed large farm tracts here in the ensuing years

ACREAGE
23.35

LOCATION
Fairview Ave., near Verona High School, Verona
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HISTORIC PROFILE

The trail is situated on the former right-of-way of the Caldwell Branch of the old Erie-Lackawanna Railroad.

Acquired in 1985 through Green Acre funding, the 2.84 mile trail runs from the Passaic County line near the Lenape Trail, southwest through the Cedar Grove Community Park by the Peckman River, across Route 23, across Fairview Avenue, past Verona High School, and on to Arnold Way.

Public debate delayed the County acquisition long enough for the railroad company to sell off some intermittent parcels, effectively preventing the county from extending the trail as far as Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell, as originally planned.

The Lenape Indian Trail crosses the West Essex Trail near the Passaic/Essex County line.

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CURRENT IMPROVEMENTS

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DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

• Bike and hiking trail.
• Trestle bridge 20 feet above the rapids of the Peckman River.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From New Jersey: Take Route 280 to Exit 7/Pleasant Valley Way. Turn right onto Pleasant Valley Way. Turn left onto Bloomfield Avenue. Turn right onto Fairview Avenue. The Trail crosses Fairview Avenue at Verona High School.

From New York: George Washington Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey Turnpike South. Take Exit 15W for Route 280 West. Follow above directions.

Use the address “151 Fairview Avenue, Verona (Verona High School)” when obtaining driving directions from the Internet.

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