September 11th National Memorial Trail In Randolph

Posted: December 17, 2021

Looking for some motivation to get in some steps around the holidays? How about taking a walk on Randolph’s section of the September 11th National Memorial Trail! The first trail blazes were dedicated and installed on the Morris County Park Commission’s signature Patriots’ Path trail in Randolph 2017.

The September 11th National Memorial Trail is a 1,300-mile system of trails and roadways dedicated to first responders and those who died on September 11, 2001. The trail connects New York City National September 11th Memorial and Museum, the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, PA, and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, VA. It extends across six states and the District of Columbia, passing through more than 50 landmarks including the Delaware Water Gap and Morristown National Historical Park.

A “Trail of Remembrance,” the memorial trail is a living monument that ensures that people never forget America’s worst terrorist attack, the country’s resilience, and its resolve in the face of adversity. New Jersey’s portion of the trail includes Patriots’ Path, the Sussex Branch, and the Paulinskill Valley Trail.

Development of the recreational trail was proposed just days after the terrorist attacks in 2001, and the nonprofit September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance was soon formed.

Working closely with local, state and federal governments, federal agencies, fellow trail organizations and dedicated individuals, the 1,300-mile vision is gradually becoming a reality. One of those individuals is Randolph Township resident and volunteer firefighter for Millbrook Fire Company 2, Russell Nee, whose tireless efforts have literally blazed more trails. In 2012, he joined a team of twelve project leaders to create the September 11th National Memorial Trail and was the honored recipient of the distinguished Golden Spike Award from the September 11 National Memorial Trail Alliance in 2018. He continues to work towards connecting a network of trails and greenways to complete the memorial trail system.

As 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on 9/11, President Biden signed H.R. 2278 bipartisan legislation to designate the September 11th National Memorial Trail. The signing of this bill is a monumental step towards the ongoing development of a trail that provides our country with a beautiful symbol of our nation’s resiliency, and will serve as a commemorative tribute to the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001.

For more information on the September 11th National Memorial Trail, visit 911trail.org. Donate to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance to support this unique national resource as a celebration of resilience and freedom and community for generations to come.

View a map of the Randolph trail system .