The Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Committee has recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve $1.8 million in funding to acquire and preserve 65.2 acres across various 2024 Open Space projects. Approvals are anticipated during an upcoming public work session in Morristown.
The preservation recommendations include properties in Denville, Mendham Township, and Madison Borough, ranging in size from 3.5 to 51 acres.
Among the proposed projects is the Jonathan’s Woods Extension on the Whitney Property in Denville Township. This 3.5-acre parcel is slated for a $265,000 grant award, with Protect Our Wetlands, Waters, and Woods as the applicant. The Whitney Property borders the over 430-acre Jonathan’s Woods area, initially acquired in 2000 through municipal, state, and county trust fund dollars. Over the past two decades, the Morris County Park Commission has also acquired smaller parcels near Hillcrest Drive. Situated at the end of Hillcrest Drive, the Whitney Property is one of the last large tracts available to expand the Jonathan’s Woods conservation area.
