Boat Dock Access: Exploring Greenwood Lake's Public Spaces

Greenwood Lake, the second-largest home-lined lake in the state, stretches 7 miles into New York State. While the lake is public, there is no public access to it. Private marinas and landowners control access to the lake. However, there is growing momentum for a public boat launch at Greenwood Lake, with state officials visiting West Milford to explore the possibility of creating a public access ramp at Brown's Point Park, a state-owned park. In the meantime, Greenwood County has opened a new boat ramp, providing public access to Lake Greenwood, with parking spaces for boat trailers, a restroom facility, and picnic tables.

There is limited parking for boat trailers at Greenwood Lake

Greenwood Lake is the second-largest home-lined lake in the state, stretching 7 miles into New York State. Due to the lakeside terrain, encircling roads, and the increasing number of boaters, parking for boat trailers is limited. Private marinas are less likely to provide day service for customers to reserve the limited available parking for holders of dock slips, which cost at least $1,500 a year.

There is a new boat ramp beside Highway 72/221, which provides public access to Lake Greenwood. Alongside the boat ramp and docks, there are dozens of parking spaces to accommodate boat trailers. The new facility also includes a modern restroom and a roof providing shelter for a few picnic tables.

The new boat ramp and parking spaces are a major step in expanding access to Lake Greenwood. Previously, there was limited parking for boat trailers, and private marinas controlled access to the public waters. The new boat ramp and parking spaces will make it easier for people to enjoy the lake and will also benefit fishing enthusiasts.

The limited parking for boat trailers at Greenwood Lake has been a challenge for boaters, but the new boat ramp and parking facilities are a positive development, providing much-needed additional access to the lake.

Greenwood Lake is a public lake with no public access

Momentum is growing for a public boat launch at Greenwood Lake. State officials have visited West Milford to tour the bi-state lake, and it seems that the potential to create a public access ramp at state-owned Brown's Point Park is solidifying. The Greenwood Lake Commission is yet to take a stance on the construction of a boat ramp, but it has received pressure from citizens and bass fishermen over the years.

The general opinion is that, as a public lake, Greenwood Lake should have some kind of public access. The main problems are permitting regulations and potential costs. The lake is shallow and rocky in the area where a ramp would need to be built, and terraforming and dredging work would be necessary to make the route deep enough for boats. This could cost upward of $1.5 million.

In January 2025, Greenwood County opened a new boat ramp, docks, and parking spaces for boat trailers on Lake Greenwood. This development is part of the county's mission to protect and provide access to the lake as a natural resource.

A public boat launch at Greenwood Lake is being considered

The Greenwood Lake Commission has yet to take a stance on the construction of a boat ramp. However, they have received pressure from citizens and bass fishermen over the years. Paul Zarrillo of the Greenwood Lake Commission stated that "the general opinion is that it's a state lake; it's a public lake. We need some kind of public access, I don't think anybody in their right mind would really dispute that."

The potential location for the public access ramp is at the state-owned Brown's Point Park. However, there are challenges to this proposal, including permitting regulations and potential costs. The lake is shallow and rocky in that area, and terraforming and dredging would be necessary to make the route deep enough for boats. The cost of this project is estimated to be upward of $1.5 million.

Despite these challenges, there is support for the proposed boat ramp from local officials and community members. Terry Duffy, a Passaic County commissioner from West Milford, backed the proposal, stating that "it would be great for West Milford and the surrounding areas."

In addition to the potential benefits for the local community, a public boat launch would also address the increase in boating and limited access to the water. This development is a step towards making Greenwood Lake more accessible to the public and addressing the parking constraints currently faced by boaters.

Furthermore, the construction of a public boat launch aligns with Greenwood County's mission to protect and provide access to the lake as a natural resource. County Council Chairperson Chuck Moates emphasized this during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the county's new boat ramp, which provides public access to Lake Greenwood. This new boat ramp, located beside Break on the Lake along Highway 72/221, offers dozens of parking spaces for boat trailers, a modern restroom facility, and a sheltered area with picnic tables.

Greenwood Lake stretches 7 miles into New York State

Greenwood Lake is the second-largest home-lined lake in the state, stretching 7 miles into New York State. The lake is shared by New Jersey and New York, and while it is a public lake, there is currently no public access. Private marinas and landowners control access to the lake, and parking for boat trailers is limited due to the surrounding terrain, encircling roads, and increasing numbers of boaters.

Momentum is growing for a public boat launch at Greenwood Lake, with state officials visiting West Milford to explore the possibility of creating a public access ramp at the state-owned Brown's Point Park. Brown's Point Park, named after a former lakeside hotel, features a disc golf course and often serves as the venue for pro-level boat races.

While the Greenwood Lake Commission has not yet taken an official stance on the construction of a boat ramp, they have received pressure from citizens and bass fishermen over the years. The general consensus is that, as a public lake, Greenwood Lake should provide some form of public access. The main challenges to creating a public boat launch are permitting regulations and potential costs. The lake is shallow and rocky in the area of Brown's Point Park, and terraforming and dredging would likely be necessary to make the route suitable for boats, with costs estimated to be upwards of $1.5 million.

In recent years, the private marinas on Greenwood Lake have become less accommodating to day service customers, prioritizing the limited available parking for holders of dock slips, which cost a minimum of $1,500 annually.

Greenwood Lake's reach into New York State is just one aspect of this bi-state lake, which also extends into New Jersey. The lake is a valuable natural resource and a potential economic driver for the region, with plans to develop it as a tourism destination, including fishing tournaments and a destination restaurant on its shores.

The lake has private marinas and landowners control access to the public waters

Greenwood Lake is the second-largest home-lined lake in the state, stretching 7 miles into New York State. The lake is characterised by its limited parking for boat trailers, encircling roads, and increasing numbers of boaters. While there is public access to the lake, private marinas and landowners control access to the public waters.

The lake's private marinas have become less likely to provide day service for customers, instead reserving the limited available parking for holders of dock slips, which cost at least $1,500 a year. This has led to growing momentum for a public boat launch at Greenwood Lake. State officials have visited West Milford to tour the bi-state lake, and it appears that the potential to create a public access ramp at state-owned Brown's Point Park is solidifying.

The Greenwood Lake Commission has yet to take a stance on the construction of a boat ramp at Brown's Point Park, but the group has received pressure from citizens and bass fishermen over the years. The general opinion is that, as a public lake, Greenwood Lake requires some kind of public access. The problems lie in permitting regulations and potential costs, as the man-made lake is shallow and rocky in the area.

Creating a public boat ramp at Brown's Point Park would involve terraforming and dredging to ensure the route is deep enough for everyday use, with costs potentially exceeding $1.5 million. Despite these challenges, a public boat ramp at Greenwood Lake would be a welcome addition, providing increased access for boaters and fishing enthusiasts, and supporting the local economy.

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