Community News

DELAWARE TWP. – Thanks to the help of former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli, a 12-acre property with a tributary of the Lockatong Creek and sweeping views of the scenic Rosemont Valley has been preserved by New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Hunterdon County and Delaware Township.

On Nov. 8, New Jersey Conservation purchased the property on Kingwood-Stockton Road in partnership with Hunterdon County and Delaware Township, with assistance from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority.

The land was purchased from the Rosemont Foundation, a charitable organization established by Senator Torricelli, a Delaware Township resident. The Rosemont Foundation acquired the parcel in 2011 to ensure its eventual preservation.

“We’re very grateful to the Rosemont Foundation, Hunterdon County and Delaware Township for making this possible,” said Michele S. Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation. “We’re pleased to bring this project to a happy conclusion.”

"The Rosemont Foundation, true to its mission, was proud to serve as the financial bridge to the permanent preservation of this valuable farmland for the public's use and enjoyment,” said Torricelli. “By moving quickly, The Foundation prevented destruction of the land and ensured the protection of the adjoining waterway and enabled the NJ Conservation Foundation and government authorities to assemble the resources for acquisition."

The property consists of a gently sloping open field, woodlands and a tributary of the Lockatong, a pristine “Category 1” stream that flows into the Delaware River. The land will be used for hiking, nature observation and other passive recreation.

The land was purchased with funding from Hunterdon County, Delaware Township’s grant from the New Jersey Green Acres Program, and funds from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority.

“The preservation of the Rosemont Foundation property satisfies a longstanding need for recreation and parkland in the village of Rosemont,” said Hunterdon County Freeholder Director Suzanne Lagay. “The Board of Chosen Freeholders is glad to be a partner in the project by providing funding through the County’s Cooperative Open Space Acquisition Grant Program.”

"Since the time this parcel became available, Delaware Township had hoped to preserve it to provide passive recreation opportunities near Rosemont, and to protect the view of the historic Rosemont Valley,” said Delaware Township Mayor Susan Lockwood.

The property will be co-owned by New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Delaware Township, with NJ Conservation holding 95 percent interest and Delaware Township holding a 5 percent interest. It will be managed by NJ Conservation.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a private nonprofit that preserves land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all.  Since 1960, New Jersey Conservation has protected 125,000 acres of open space - from the Highlands to the Pine Barrens to the Delaware Bayshore, from farms to forests to urban and suburban parks. For more information about the Foundation’s programs and preserves, go to www.njconservation.org or call 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728).