Trust for Public Land Mapped New Greenway

The nearly 200-mile trail connects Manhattan to Montauk across five sections.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hiking

Screen-print poster illustration of a wooden trail marker on a winding coastal path, evoking regional outdoor recreation infrastructure. — The Trust for Public Land has finalized the route for a new 200-mile greenway connecting Manhattan to Montauk across five sections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In 2018, The Trust for Public Land began mapping a nearly 200-mile trail spanning from Manhattan to Montauk. The project traverses Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties to connect parks and downtown hubs.

Why it matters

The Greenway provides a critical corridor to link parks, downtowns, and transit systems across Long Island. It serves as a major expansion of New York's existing outdoor recreation infrastructure.

The proposed Long Island Greenway covers nearly 200 miles and is divided into five distinct sections. Development plans rely on feasibility work using electric transmission rights-of-way to create off-road paths.

The players

The Trust for Public Land

This national nonprofit organization focuses on land conservation and the creation of public parks.

The details

The Trust for Public Land designed this east-west route to integrate with regional transit and urban centers. By utilizing existing utility rights-of-way, the project creates dedicated off-road spaces for commuters and hikers alike.

The Trust for Public Land began mapping the route in 2018.

Culture Shift

The Long Island Greenway acts as a logical extension of the Empire State Trail, demonstrating a commitment to creating cohesive multi-use paths across the state. This initiative reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing interconnected non-motorized transit and public green space.

Residents in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties will eventually gain access to a continuous corridor for commuting and recreation. The project aims to simplify travel between parks and downtowns while enhancing pedestrian connectivity across these urban and suburban areas.

The takeaway

This project transforms utility rights-of-way into valuable public assets for outdoor accessibility. Future development will rely on these initial mapping phases to integrate smaller local trails into a unified state-wide network.