Byram Preserves 222 Acres for Recreation and Conservation

On February 19th, Byram Township, with the assistance of The Land Conservancy of
New Jersey, concluded a four year effort to secure 222 acres of the New Jersey Highlands known as the Hudson Farm Greenway for $4,150,000.    

This major acquisition for Byram Township preserves a mountainous swath of land in the New Jersey Highlands and changes the face of the community in perpetuity.  It is likely that the Highlands Trail will be realigned and will utilize the trail system on the property
in the near future.  The Hudson Farm Greenway begins at a hayfield on Rte 206, and extends northeasterly approximately a mile and a half to C.O. Johnson Park on
Roseville Rd. 

Johnson Lake                                                                    Photo by Sandy Urgo

Byram will own 69 acres of the newly preserved property in fee and 153 acres were preserved with a conservation and public access easement. Ten acres of what is now a hayfield near Rte 206 will be home to a beautiful new park and athletic fields.  The view from these fields is amazing, and few places to play in New Jersey will rival the magnificent scenery found here.  Beyond the fields, a mountain hosts a mature forest, with existing hiking trails and a ridgeline that provides scenic overlooks and beautiful views of Cranberry Lake and beyond.  The easement acquired by the Township on this land allows access to the existing and planned future trails on the property by the public.  Johnson Lake lies in the middle of the Greenway.   A portion of the newly preserved property includes a fishing area at the corner of Johnson Lake, as well as the peninsula that juts out into the lake and a large expanse of shoreline totaling approximately 10 acres.  The land flattens out near Roseville Road where nearly 50 acres of new Township land sits immediately across from C.O. Johnson Park.  This land will be held by Byram Township for possible future expansion of C.O. Johnson Park.

This recreation and conservation project as a whole embodies virtually all of the important goals and aspects of Byram’s open space program, including conservation of water resources and forests; connectivity of natural corridors and greenways, public access to water bodies, off-road non motorized access between parks, and two ideal locations for future developed recreational facilities and athletic fields.

Byram Mayor Jim Oscovitch said, “The Hudson Farm Greenway project is a perfect example of how local, county and state agencies can all work hand in hand toward a common goal.  Special thanks to Sussex County for their extra support on this project.  Although challenging at times, Byram is very pleased with the outcome.  The Hudson Farm Greenway is another piece of the pie in helping Byram build and maintain its identity.

Sandy Urgo, Land Preservation Manager for The Land Conservancy of New Jersey described the project as, "A historic preservation acquisition for Byram Township that will prove to be a major asset to this largely residential community.  The Greenway is ideally located and connects neighborhoods and residents to trails that link to parks and natural lands.  Access to this land for hiking and fishing and the athletic fields and facilities that will anchor it will make Byram Township an even more desirable place to live."  Urgo also applauded the partnership that funded the acquisition, "The project would not have been possible without the major effort and cooperation of New Jersey Green Acres, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, and the Sussex County Open Space Committee all of whom worked with The Land Conservancy and Byram Township to complete the project. 

“New Jersey Conservation Foundation congratulates Byram Township and the Land Conservancy of New Jersey on the preservation of this incredibly beautiful property,” said Michele S. Byers, executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. “Byram Township is a leader in preserving its natural heritage and open spaces, and this new preserve will add to the quality of life for all its residents! We are pleased to assist with this project by contributing $1.4 million from our Highlands land fund, and to close a gap in a significant greenway connector. Greenways that connect preserved lands are a fundamental part of New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s statewide Garden State Greenways vision.”

Ray Bonker, Chairman of the Byram Open Space Committee said, “This project represents “the single most significant purchase by the Township of Byram since the creation of our town's Open Space initiative.  Byram is once again indebted to The Land Conservancy, and in particular Sandy Urgo, for their tireless efforts on our behalf.  We quite simply could not have done it without them."

Bonker also pointed out that one of the more important aspects of the acquisition was the incredible financial leverage the town achieved as a result of the project funding partnership, “As a result of this partnership we have been able to stretch the modest sums provided by our voter-approved Open Space tax to capture a tremendously valuable asset for many generations to come."

Scott Olson, Byram Councilman and Open Space Committee Member stated, “With the culmination of many years of hard work by past and current Council and Open Space members, Byram has now preserved a major, integral link between Allamuchy Mountain State Park and C.O. Johnson Park, opening a parcel with dramatic views and diverse wildlife habitat for public use. This project exemplifies the value of partnerships in land preservation, and the creative use of all available tools to leverage the most from Byram's Open Space tax dollars.”