Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Recommends $3.75 Million Preservation Project

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J.– Morris County's Open Space Trust Fund Committee on Wednesday recommended to the freeholders funding six preservation projects, which total more than 270 acres and would cost roughly $3.75 million, officials said.

The projects span five Morris County towns: Denville, Parsippany, Kinnelon, Randolph and Mt. Arlington.

Funding would come from the county preservation trust fund, generated by a special tax, according to Morris County Communications and Digital Media Manager Larry Ragonese.

Morris Township resident Rick Watson, who chairs the 15-member committee, presented the recommendations at Wednesday morning's work session in Morristown, Ragonese said.

"The committee thanks the freeholders for recognizing the need for continued public support for this program, and understanding the need for towns to be able to preserve land for active and passive recreation
and environmental protection," said Watson.

The awards range from $240,000 to $1.7 million, according to Ragonese.

The freeholders will make a formal decision at their Nov. 21 meeting, he added.

“The high quality of life in Morris County is directly connected to the preservation of open space and farmland and historic properties that have been funded by our residents, who have repeatedly voted to approve a special tax for these purposes,’’ said Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.

Added Freeholder Christine Myers: “These open space dollars are used to create parks, connect trails, offer 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."

The proposed projects: Lake Rogerene, the Soussa Property, the LaPlatte Smith Road Property, Mount Freedom Golf, Untermeyer Lake and Puzio Farm.

For more details on each one, click here.

Images courtesy County of Morris