Morris Canal
In
the late19th century New Jersey utilized
man-made water highways called canals to transport people
and goods throughout the state. The Morris Canal, as it ran through
northern New Jersey, connected the Delaware River on NJ's
western border with the Hudson River on its eastern border. The Morris Canal ran through the
Passaic County towns of Clifton, Little Falls, Paterson and
the Mountain View section of Wayne.
With a
renewed interest in historic preservation in our state, many
municipalities are utilizing their rich history and
resources to provide recreational and public spaces for the
community. A prime example of this is the resurrection of
the Morris Canal in both Clifton and Little Falls, which
were long neglected and forgotten resources, into unique
public green spaces that provide new recreational
opportunities to the community while making history come
alive for all.
The Morris
Canal Park and Preserve in Clifton is located between the
Garden State Parkway and Broad Street and provides a quiet
haven for its visitors with ample parking, seating and
attractive setting. The Morris Canal Park in Little Falls is
actually comprised of two pieces. The main park, with its
lovely shaded walkway, is located behind the shops and
restaurants on Main Street between Union and Stevens
Avenues. There is ample parking available at this park
location. The second and smaller canal park is located at
Main Street and Long Hill Road, and is within walking
distance from the larger park. Limited parking is available
at the Long Hill Road location.
The rebirth of Passaic County's Morris Canal
can be attributed to volunteer effort, community support,
and a variety of funding sources. Clifton's Morris Canal
Park is supported entirely through donations and volunteer
effort, if you are interested in supporting their efforts
you can contact the "Friends of the Morris Canal Park, Inc."
at (973) 473- 5176 for further information on how you can
help. "Friends of the Morris Canal Park, Inc." also offer
the the public the opportunity to plant a tree in the park
with the appropriate marker in place.