By Ellen S. Wilkowe
Morristown residents got a closer look Wednesday at early design concepts for improvements to the Whippany Oxbow section of Patriots’ Path, a largely hidden stretch of trail linking Speedwell Lake Park and Lake Pocahontas.
The virtual session, hosted by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), was the second public meeting on plans for the nearly mile-long corridor that runs from Speedwell Lake Park to the New Jersey Transit bridge over the Whippany River near Coal Avenue, along Lake Pocahontas by Manahan Village.
“The best public spaces are created with the community, not for communities,” said Luke Babik of TPL New Jersey, the nonprofit selected by Morristown to manage the project. “People who know this space best are the residents who use the corridor already. You have a real voice in shaping what is to come.”
The preliminary designs incorporate concerns raised during last month’s listening session, including safety, signage and accessibility.
Among the concepts presented:
• Roadway safety improvements and wayfinding signs at the Corey Road and Martin Luther King Avenue entrances.
• New seating areas at both ends of the trail.
• ADA-accessible side trails to the water.
• Interpretive signs highlighting historical features.
• A pedestrian bridge to Logan Place.
• Side paths improving access to the waterfront.
• Protected wetlands and forest restoration areas.
About 20 people attended the online presentation, which included site photographs and conceptual renderings developed from public feedback.
“This is beautiful,” resident Rick Shaw said. “I really, really like this.”
The project stems from a town council resolution naming TPL as lead manager and is supported by a $180,000 grant from the F.M. Kirby Foundation. Planning also involves Morristown, the Morris County Park Commission, engineering firm NV5, and public input.
At last month’s meeting, planners outlined a shared-use path about eight feet wide, with overlooks, seating areas and historical interpretation. The route passes land once occupied by a mill and facilities of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, including a roundhouse.
Current plans would permit only low-level pedal-assist e-bikes while prohibiting swimming and motorized boats.
“This is Morristown’s best-kept secret,” said Rosa Mannion, principal landscape architect with NV5. “That’s what many of you said at the first meeting.”
SAFETY A MAJOR FOCUS
Project leaders said improving visibility and access could help address safety concerns that surfaced during last month’s discussion, which followed two deaths near the trail area over the last year. Authorities have said neither incident posed a danger to the public.
“The entrances to the park are not super-highlighted or welcoming,” Mannion said.
The latest designs envision upgraded gateways at Corey Road and Martin Luther King Avenue intended to make the area more inviting while discouraging undesirable activity.
“When spaces are activated and cleaned up, the perceptions of safety improve,” Babik said. “This has been empirically proven by other projects that I’ve done.”
Morristown Administrator Jillian Barrick agreed.
“Part of the reason the area is so attractive is that it’s hidden from the elements,” she said. “As improvements take place, the area will become more attractive for positive recreational activity.”
The plan also includes an unclimbable eight-foot fence required to access the right-of-way and prevent visitors from reaching the dam.
TRASH, PARKING AND ACCESS
Trash and maintenance generated significant discussion.
Rick Shaw said litter remains a recurring issue.
“I’ve been involved in cleanups on Speedwell Lake and one issue I run into is trash,” he said. “Not camping but fishing. People will have a snack and leave the container. There are trash receptacles but we shouldn’t hide them.”
Resident Linda Carrington raised concerns about overflowing trash cans.
“The trash cans are so full that somebody threw away a baby stroller next to a trash can,” she said.
Parking near the Martin Luther King Avenue entrance also drew attention. Project planners said they do not want to sacrifice pedestrian space for parking, while Barrick noted that a nearby gravel lot already serves large church crowds on Sundays.
“I’m happy to see a second crosswalk planned on Speedwell Avenue,” said Morris Township resident Kathleen Hourihan.
Lake access also interested paddling enthusiast Graeme Birchall.
“I’m the guy who likes to kayak,” he said. “I’m willing to offer a free kayak program.”
Several participants stressed the importance of community stewardship.
“Including the community is the way to go,” said John Madden. “Cleanup crews, adopt-a-trail programs …”
WHAT’S NEXT
A third public meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 24, 2026.
Meanwhile, project leaders will continue gathering feedback from residents, businesses, cultural organizations and historical groups.
“There’s an interest in highlighting local history, industrial history along the water’s edge,” Mannion said.
Residents also can share ideas at Morristown’s Park Night on June 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., when town representatives will be stationed at Lidgerwood Park, Speedwell Lake Park, Cauldwell Playground and Pool, and Burnham Park to garner public input on parks and open-space improvements.
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This looks very nice and an improvement over that long neglected parkland. That being said, what about all that land the Town owns along Coal Avenue?
As a resident, I am disappointed that I was unaware of these meetings and unfortunately missed the opportunity to participate.
I hope the project team carefully considers the amount of construction, tree removal, and increased human activity associated with any proposed improvements. This area supports a significant amount of native wildlife and currently serves as one of the few relatively undisturbed refuges along the lake and river corridor. Preserving habitat and minimizing impacts to wildlife should remain a priority throughout the planning process.
I am also concerned that recordings of the virtual sessions do not appear to be publicly available. For residents who were unable to attend, access to recordings, presentation materials, and concept plans would help keep the community informed about a project that may have a lasting impact on this area.
This looks awesome. Can we get a little coffee shop with tables somewhere along the path next to the river? would be awesome.
And this NEEDS to be well lit at night, and patrolled regularly for safety.