Land Conservancy Ends the Year with a Flourish!

During the final months of 2009, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey in partnership with municipalities, counties, the state, and other organizations assisted in the preservation of nine properties totaling 332 acres throughout Morris, Sussex, Essex & Warren counties. Five of these properties were preserved in the final 10 days of the year!   In many instances innovative partnerships and diverse funding sources were needed to bring a successful project to conclusion.  Projects were steeped in history, offered new opportunities for a variety of recreational activities, and protected our farmland, water resources, forests, and habitats for threatened and endangered species

First Time Fen – 54 acres, Green Township, Sussex County
The preservation of this site protects ecologically diverse habitats and is the first step in the Township’s planned greenway, linking the Whittingham Wildlife Management Area to the Pequest River Blueway.  The property is now owned by the State of New Jersey and managed by the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust.

Mayapple Hill Extension - 11.2 acres, West Orange Township, Essex County
Now part of Essex County’s South Mountain Reservation, one of the nations’s oldest county parks, the property is open to the public for hiking and cross-country skiing. If not maintained as open space, the previous owner could have built eight residential units on the site.

Lake Iliff Access - 13.50 acres, Andover Township, Sussex County
The preservation of this property on Limecrest Road provides much needed access to the lake and will be utilized as a public portage point for kayaks, canoes and motor-less craft.  This picturesque property is an excellent bird area, especially for heron, egret and other waterfowl and may lay the framework for a future trail network.

Pompton River Walk – two projects totaling 0.43 acres, Pequannock Township, Morris County
An ongoing project of the Township, the Pompton River Walk fills in the gaps between existing preserved lands along the Pompton river, creating a linear park that connects with Aquatic Park and parklands in neighboring communities.

Polowy Farm, Frelinghuysen Township

Polowy Farm – 139.87 acres, Frelinghuysen Township, Warren County
Frelinghuysen Township supports and is aggressively pursuing the preservation of its agricultural lands. Over 1,433 acres of farmland has been permanently preserved within its borders. Located within the Allamuchy Farmland Belt, the Polowy Farm has over 50% of its land in active agricultural production.  The property is composed of four fields in the lowlands, with some wooded grazing land near the road.  The uplands are primarily wooded and have breathtaking views of the surrounding area. 

New Village Road Natural Area – 109.01 acres, Greenwich Township, Warren County
The preservation of this property contributes to a regional state and federal initiative to protect the scenic Route 78 corridor.  The Village Road Natural Area will protect the community’s limestone recharge area which supports local water supplies and open previously private lands for hiking and similar recreational pursuits.

Miller Kingsland Historic Park, Town of Boonton

Miller-Kingsland Historic Park – 2.81 acres, the Town of Boonton, Morris County
Located at the bend in Vreeland Road, the Miller-Kingsland property has been the town’s top priority for preservation. The site provides much-needed open space in a compactly developed town, as well as protection of nationally registered historic buildings.  The stone end house is an important example of Dutch architecture and has been acknowledged on a national level. Alex D. Fowler, the husband of the former owner, recognized the importance of the house and in 1973 nominated it to the National Register of Historic Places.  The property was under significant development pressures for a major subdivision.

Horseshoe Lake Athletic Complex – 0.63 acres, Roxbury Township, Morris County
A goal of the open space program was to expand existing municipal parks and create new opportunities for recreation for local residents.    A unique opportunity presented itself to the Township to purchase and preserve the property located along Righter Road to expand Horseshoe Lake Athletic Complex.  Actively for sale by the owner, this site could have instead been developed into a single-family residence, encroaching upon the existing park.