Politics & Government
All Aboard for Kinnelon's Open Space Tour
Officials and land experts walk the land, focus on connectivity, stewardship, watershed for OSR plan
A team of residents and professionals dedicated to preserving and protecting Kinnelon’s land and watershed, boarded a bus at Borough Hall Saturday morning to tour properties in the borough that will provide information for Kinnelon's Open Space and Recreation (ORS) Plan.
The plan is in the process of being updated to remain consistent with Green Acres Planning Incentive guidelines, and incorporate changes in land use and regulation since 2005. As part of the update, there will be two public meetings, including one on Oct. 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., where the public can provide input.
Kathleen Caccavale, the planning consultant writing the OSR plan, and Linda Gloshinski, land preservation specialist, both associated with The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, teamed up on the tour, which ran for more than four hours, with the following representatives from Kinnelon:
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- Cheryl Canale, chairwoman, Environmental Commission
- Lori Cohen, Kinnelon Conserves
- Mary Derstine, Kinnelon Conserves
- Amanda Hagl, Open Space Advisory Committee
- Tom Kline, chairman, Historical Commission
- Gary Moleta, Borough Council; Environmental Commission
- Gene Orcutt, vice chairman, Open Space Advisory Committee; Environmental Commission; Planning Board; Chairman, Board of Adjustment
- Andy SanFilippo, Borough Council; Planning Board
The team visited approximately 14 sites, including Buck Mountain, Pyramid Mountain, Weber field, public recreation areas, lakes, ponds, trails and wetlands. They walked the areas with maps, took notes and photos, and consulted on history, data, regulations, and options.
Caccavale said the focus was on trail connectivity and stewardship of publicly-owned parcels.
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"Today was a kick-off, of sorts, and various areas are being documented through photos," she said. "We're just touring. We have to know what’s there before we can think."
This is a preliminary step in the updating process. Kinnelon residents will have the opportunity to receive information and provide input at upcoming meetings.
Current information on hiking trails in Kinnelon can be found at New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.
