10-Acre Mendham Farm Up For Open Space Preservation Consideration

Six parcels of land across Morris County were recommended for Open Space Preservation funds this week, with one of those properties in Mendham Borough.

The project calls for the preservation of 10.57 acres of Scott Farm, which would need a grant in the amount of $222,500.

According to the application:

This scenic property is located south of Mountainside Road, east of Mountain Valley Park and west of BiArbor Arboretum. Morris County’s Patriot’s Path runs adjacent to the southern boundary of the property.

The Borough will preserve the pastoral view shed and utilize the historic farmstead property for passive recreation and trail connections to adjacent preserved open space and Patriot’s Path. The tract connects trails to Mendham Commons and Patriot’s Path, and provides a buffer to a tributary of the North Branch Raritan River, protecting water quality.

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.