2 Properties, 21 Acres in Washington Twp. Recommended for Open Space Preservation

Six parcels of land across Morris County were recommended for Open Space Preservation funds this week, with two settled in Washington Township.

The local projects include the Cataract Park Expansion, consisting of 10.62 acres and a grant needed in the amount of $42,400, along with Patriot’s Path Coleman Road Trailhead, which spans 10.46 acres and would need a grant worth $168,000.

According to the county, the application for Cataract Park states:

“This property is located east of Schooley’s Mountain Road, near the Warren County border. The heavily wooded tract is largely surrounded by municipal Cataract Park, a passive recreation park containing a scenic waterfall at the top of the ridge.

Acquisition of this property would improve now-difficult access to the waterfall via an existing, unmaintained trail that ascends at a moderate grade and could further trail connections to Patriot’s Path atop Schooley’s Mountain.

It also would protect Cataract Brook, a Category One waterway, from further degradation.”

The application for the Patriot’s Path trailhead states:

“This property is located at the corner of East Mill and Coleman’s Roads, near the Chester Township border. The township envisions the property as a regional trailhead and parking area for Patriot’s Path, which connects approximately one mile north of the site.

Existing features could be developed to host events, picnicking, fishing and other recreational activities. The acquisition promotes connection to the County’s Patriot’s Path and could serve as a regional destination and access point for hiking and biking in an area where it is limited.”

All recommended projects are seeking approval in 2015. The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders will make a decision on the recommendations at its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 23.

“Preserving our open spaces to create parks, connect trails, offer more recreational opportunities for our residents, or just to make sure we have green spaces in each of our towns as places to think or breathe, is so important to maintaining our great quality of life in Morris County,’’ said Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.

Funds for the Open Space Preservation projects come from taxpayers in the county, who give one cent per $100 of assessed property value annually.

Since the awarding of grants began in 1994, the county has preserved 11,976 acres in 36 towns.