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The development of this Town-wide Park and Recreation Master Plan was a

cooperative effort between the Township administration, staff and volunteers, local

recreation groups and individuals. We thank all of the people and organizations listed

document.

Mayor

Township Manager

Joel D. Vanderhoff, Mayor

Ed Englebart

Joseph L. Jorgensen

Nicholas Kapotes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Liaison

Louis A. Skvarca

Denise Furfaro, Director

Renee Helmer, Program Coordinator

Jan Vanderhoff, Chairperson

William Zickler, Vice Chairperson

Robert Jones

Maureen McMahon

Dawn Skvarca

David Swezey

Douglas Troast

Bruce Vitcavich

Past Member: Evelyn Roosma

Boys and Girls Club of Northwest New Jersey

Pequannock Lacrosse Club

Pequannock Little League

Pequannock Soccer Club

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Pequannock Township’s unique location

at the confluence of three rivers and at

the base of mountains and the

Township’s history affords the

Township the opportunity to provide its

residents with a wide variety of

recreation and leisure opportunities.

Pequannock Township has 646.6 acres

of open space land utilized for park

and recreation purposes. Twenty four

acres (24-acres) of two parks,

Rockledge and Cherry Street parks,

remain undeveloped. The developed

parks provide a variety of recreational

opportunities ranging from hiking,

playgrounds, athletic fields and courts,

picnic areas, lake swimming, boating,

fishing and camping.

This Town-wide Park and Recreation Master Plan (Master Plan) evaluates the number

and quality of facilities provided to Pequannock Township residents against the

anticipated needs and provides recommendations for improvements and acquisitions to

meet the anticipated demand for recreational facilities in the Township.

The Township’s Recreation Advisory Board and Park and Recreation Director developed

vision and mission statements and goals and objectives to set the framework for the

master plan. See Chapter 2 to review the objectives and associated statements.

Vision

To provide a well rounded recreation and leisure experiences for all members of the

community.

Mission Statement

The Township will meet the physical, mental, cultural and social needs of Pequannock

residents by providing the best possible overall park system through programs,

services, facilities and structures and by preserving and developing new and existing

lands and their improvements.

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Goals

Goal 1: To improve the quality of life for community residents.

Goal 2: Ensure equitable access to safe and attractive parks and facilities that meet

community needs.

Goal 3: Actively pursue adequate open space for future recreation facilities.

Goal 4: To preserve and enhance the social and ecological environment for Township

residents.

Goal 5: Implement and update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) so it

remains a dynamic guide for the Park and Recreation Department.

Goal 6: Management of the park system to the highest standards.

We must remember as we go through the planning process for the Township-wide

Recreation Master Plan that we are planning for people. Since the level and quantity

of parks and recreation services demand is directly related to the number of people

demanding the given services, changes in both the number and composition of that

local population affects local government planning. A youthful population makes

different demands on parks facilities than a much older population does, and an

increase in certain cultural groups – Hispanics, for example- can create yet another set

of demands.

Since estimates of population change are crucial to planning, budgeting and financing

park improvements, they are essential to this Master Plan.

The population has been increasing in Pequannock over the last decade and, according

to the most recent Census information, is predicted to continue to rise. The greatest

change over the last decade is found in the under 5 age group and 65 and older age

group with an increase of 21.72% and 25.38% respectively. The remaining age groups

are remaining stable or increasing slightly over the last decade at 0.52% for age 5-24,

5.08% for age 25-44 and 9.55% for age 45-64.

The largest percent of the population at 29.64%, however, is found in the 25-44 age

group. Township residents age 5-24 have been steadily decreasing over the last thirty

years and they do not dominate the Township population now as they had done

historically. Age 5-24 and age 45-64 make up a similar ratio of the population at

24.83% and 24.63% respectively. Residents 65 and older make up 14.08% of the

population and children under 5 make up 6.82% of the population.

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Balanced Land Use Guidelines

New Jersey’s State Comprehensive Outdoor and Recreation Plan identifies the goal for

New Jersey municipalities to provide three percent (3%) of the total developable lands

within the municipality for recreation uses. This balanced land use approach takes

into consideration the extent of wetlands and steep slopes in the municipality and

removes those lands from the total developable lands within the municipality.

According to this methodology Pequannock Township, with its 647 acres of park land,

has preserved fourteen percent (14%) of its overall lands and thirty percent (30%) of

the Township’s developable lands for recreation purposes.

This analysis is unevenly balanced, however, due to eighty-two percent (82%) of the

preserved lands suitable only for passive recreation or resource areas due to wetlands

and steep slopes on the site. So while there is a significant amount of lands preserved

for recreation purposes the Township does not have a balance between lands suitable

for active and passive recreation.

Population-based Recreation Open Space Needs Assessment

In 1995, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), in collaboration with

the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, published “Park,

recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines.” The revised guidelines

acknowledge that each community is unique, and that it is difficult to apply one set of

special standards to all communities as had been done in the past. Instead, the

guidelines reflect a more systematic planning approach that takes into account the

unique needs, desires and resources of communities as well as changing

environmental, social, economic and demographic trends.

With this framework in mind, the NRPA takes a different approach to park planning,

analyzing the types of parks and facilities required for each individual community,

along with the amount of acreage required to site those kinds of parks and facilities.

The process includes identifying the classifications of parks and the level of service for

each facility within each park classification.

Table 1 below identifies Pequannock Township’s parks by classification, the

recommended acreage per classification and the surplus or deficit per classification.

There are no recommended standards for special use parks or natural resource areas.

Review of the table shows that based upon this analysis there is a deficit of park land

in all classifications with the greatest deficit in the Sports complex classification.

Recreation Need by Park Classification

The majority of the Township parks are located in the central to southern area of the

Township. This is most likely due to the location of wetlands and floodplain

influencing the initial settlement of the Township with the first homesteads in the

north central section of town. When parks and recreation development came to the

forefront there was more opportunity to set aside lands for recreation and leisure in

the central and southern part of town. This provides an imbalance to access to the

provided parks and their recreation and leisure facilities. The residents in the

southern and south-central part of the Township have better access to facilities than

those in the north and north-central part of the Township.

When evaluating the deficit of park classifications and the typical uses within those

park classes the park classification hierarchy is taken into consideration. For example,

the facilities found in a Mini Park may also be found in all of the other park

classifications except Natural Resource Area and Greenways. This could mean that a

Neighborhood Park can supply the demand for a Mini Park depending upon the location

within the Township.

In addition, School Complexes may also partially supply the demand for certain park

classifications based upon the available facilities and availability for use. In

Pequannock, Stephen J. Grace and Hillview Elementary Schools have playgrounds.

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They may act as Mini Parks, Neighborhood Parks or Sports Complexes during non-school

hours.

Mini Parks and the typical facilities of such parks are well distributed in the southern

section of town. In addition to Lyon Park and Riverside Park, Greenview Park and

Stephen J. Grace Elementary School are in the southern section of town. These

provide the facilities that a Mini Park would and are well distributed in the southern

section of town.

Hillview Elementary School serves as a Mini Park in the center of town. There is a gap

in service for the residents to the south and west of the school.

Two sites in the northern section of the Township provide the facilities found in a Mini

park, North Boulevard School and Foothills Park. Both sites have a playground.

Access to Foothills Park, however, is by vehicle not by foot as there is no safe

pedestrian access to the park. There is a gap in service between Hillview and North

Boulevard Schools north and south and east to west in the Township.

The Neighborhood Parks are located at opposite ends of the Township (northwest and

southeast). Greenview Park, a Community Park, can serve the need as a Neighborhood

Park. There is a gap in service with no Neighborhood Park in the central or the

northeast section of town.

Greenview Park is the only Community Park within the Township. This serves the

residents in the southwest corner of town with a gap in service for the remainder of

the Township.

Sports Complex should be strategically located within the Township. The current

facilities are centrally located on the eastern side of town.

The schools in Pequannock Township are located in the north-south central corridor.

They serve as Mini Parks, Neighborhood Parks, and Sports Complexes. As these lands

are not managed by Pequannock Township they were not included within the

surplus/deficit calculations but will be considered as part of the facility

recommendations.

This Master Plan evaluates the facility demand based upon previous information

discussed in this report, input from the Parks and Recreation Director, the Recreation

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Advisory Board and stakeholders. This information as well as analyzing the

geographical location of the facilities was used in developing the facility needs.

Pequannock Township provides a variety of indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure

opportunities for residents. There is a need for additional facilities to support the

demand for these programs.

The outdoor facilities provided include boating, camping, fishing, hiking and nature

trails, picnic areas, ice skating, playgrounds, swimming and athletic fields. The

Township also has a Senior Center. The Township has a need to provide 3-4 additional

soccer/lacrosse fields and one baseball field to meet the growing demand. The other

outdoor activities are adequate in number. There are opportunities to capitalize on

the undeveloped lands to augment these facilities. This, however, is not a priority.

The Township does not have any facilities to support other indoor programs such as

basketball, volleyball, jazzercise, aerobics, little crafters, hands on fun, children’s

ceramics, karate, etc. The Parks and Recreation Department relies on Board of

Education (BOE) facilities for these programs. Time and space for these programs in

BOE facilities is getting less and less over the years as the BOE before school and after

school programming is expanding. The Township needs an indoor facility to continue

to be able to provide the level of programming and services the residents are

accustomed to and the Township has the ability to provide with available facilities.

The following are actions to be completed based upon recommendations discussed in

Chapter 7 of this report. The tasks are listed in priority order within each task category.

1. Complete Greenview Park parking reconfiguration improvements.

2. Develop an action plan to pursue funding sources identified in the Open Space

and Recreation Plan to fund the recommended improvements.

3. Acquire funding to implement Hillview Fields improvements.

4. Remove DPW dump yard from Washington Park and remediate to residential

standards. Conduct a pre-application meeting with the NJ DEP to discuss the

proposed improvements.

5. Complete topographic and utility mapping for Washington Park improvements.

6. Develop and implement a comprehensive maintenance operations tasks and

schedule for each facility.

7. Begin negotiations for acquisition / agreement for use of Block 902 Lot 4 as a

soccer / lacrosse field with supporting parking.

8. Continue dialogue with the Board of Education on shared use for athletic fields

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and existing field reconfiguration to expand field usage. Work with the sports

groups in town to leverage funding and manpower.

9. Further explore the programming and location for an indoor community

recreation facility.

10. Complete master plan for Pequannock Valley Park.

11. Develop a plan to coordinate all recreational opportunities and organizations

within the Township with possible shared scheduling of facilities.

12. Complete site development / park and recreation design guidelines.

13. Develop signage system and hierarchy.

14. Contact owners of farm assessed lands to encourage their participation in the

farmland preservation program.

1. Jointly implement Board of Education athletic field improvements with the BOE

and local recreation groups.

2. Develop a self-guided tour map along the adopted greenway identifying

cultural, social, recreational and environmental points of interest.

3. Complete wetlands mapping for Rockledge Park, Cherry Street Park, Hidden

Cove and Lyman Park.

4. Update Aquatic Park Master Plan

5. Develop “Friends of the Park” program.

6. Develop and adopt a Township Greenway Network.

7. Complete Hillview Fields Improvements.

8. Complete Washington Park improvements.

9. Complete Rockledge Park improvements

10. Implement signage improvements.

1. Complete soccer / lacrosse field improvements at Aquatic Park.

2. Riverside Park expansion feasibility study.

3. Complete Aquatic Park Master Plan recommendations.

4. Complete Hidden Cove improvements.

5. Complete Cherry Street Park improvements.

6. Implement Aquatic Park Master Plan.

7. Acquisition of parcels adjacent to Lyman Park (Block 4112 Lots 1&16).

8. Complete fundraising for Community Recreation Center.

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1. Implement Community Recreation Center.

2. Complete Woodland Lake improvements.

3. Complete remainder of Greenview Park improvements.

4. Update Park and Recreation Master Plan including the completion of a

statistically accurate user survey.

1. Continued park maintenance.

2. Continue comprehensive maintenance operations tasks and schedule for each

facility.

3. Continued signage maintenance.

4. Continued streetscape improvements maintenance.

5. Add all new land acquisitions to the Township ROSI.

6. Actively participate in regional environmental issues (i.e. the Pia Costa Tract

wetland mitigation bank) and recreation issues (i.e. the Pequannock River

Trail).

7. Monitor land acquisition opportunities for use as recreational facilities.

8. Monitor environmental regulations and possible weakening of regulations which

would increase land acquisition for environmental preservation up in priority.

9. Work with Morris County to implement regional trails within the Township

including along the railroad right-of-way.

10. Designate a Recreation Advisory Board member as liaison to each of the

environmental, historic, open space and street tree commissions.

11. Encourage stewardship of the parks and social ties through the “Friends of the

Park” program.

12. Seek continued input from the community regarding recreation programs and

facilities.

13. Implement the fund raising action plan.

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1. Pequannock Township location in Morris County showing related open waters............ i

2. Pequannock Township location in Morris County showing related open waters............1

3. Township Park and Board of Education facility locations.................................... 57

4. Meadow area in Aquatic Park utilized as a circular track by ATVs. ........................ 59

5. Forested area in Aquatic Park.................................................................... 59

6. Waterway in Aquatic Park. ....................................................................... 59

7. Open play area in Foothills Park. .............................................................. 60

8. Sledding at Foothills Park. ........................................................................ 60

9. Playground at Foothills Park...................................................................... 60

10. Greenview Park soccer/lacrosse field. ......................................................... 61

11. Greenview Park softball/little league field. ................................................... 61

12. Greenview Park tennis courts and attendant station......................................... 61

13. Greenview Park playground area. ............................................................... 61

14. Greenview Park restroom facility................................................................ 61

15. Hillview Field softball/little leaguer field. .................................................... 62

16. Lyman Park clearing and playground in trees.................................................. 63

17. Hampton Avenue access to Lyman Park. ....................................................... 63

18. Residential out-parcels in Lyman Park.......................................................... 63

19. Lyon Park playground equipment................................................................ 63

20. View from Mountainside Park. ................................................................... 64

21. Trail and marking at Mountainside Park. ....................................................... 64

22. Mountainside Park camp area. ................................................................... 64

23. Pequannock Valley Park swimming. ............................................................. 65

24. Members entering PV Park. ....................................................................... 65

25. PV Park picnic area with lake in the background. ............................................ 65

26. Town Hall baseball field. ......................................................................... 66

27. Town Hall basketball courts. ..................................................................... 66

28. Washington Park southern ball field. ........................................................... 66

29. Township DPW dumping area in Washington Park............................................. 67

30. Washington Park concessions building. ......................................................... 67

31. Washington Park northern ball field............................................................. 67

32. Woodland Lake boat launch and gravel parking area......................................... 67

33. Trail along a portion of Woodland Lake ........................................................ 67

34. Woodland Lake...................................................................................... 67

1. Context Map...........................................................................................3

2. Park and School Locations ........................................................................ 33

3. Mini Parks............................................................................................ 35

4. Neighborhood Parks ................................................................................ 37

5. School Parks ......................................................................................... 39

6. Community Parks ................................................................................... 41

7. Sports Complex ..................................................................................... 43

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8. Natural Resource Areas............................................................................ 45

9. Population Density (2000)......................................................................... 55

10. N.J. Landscape Project – Forest ................................................................. 79

11. N.J. Landscape Project – Grassland ............................................................. 81

12. N.J. Landscape Project – Emergent Wetlands ................................................. 83

13. N.J. Landscape Project – Forested Wetlands .................................................. 85

14. N.J. Landscape Project – Wood Turtle Habitat ................................................ 87

15. Geology Map......................................................................................... 89

16. Soils................................................................................................... 91

17. Hydrology ............................................................................................ 93

18. Flood Hazard Areas................................................................................. 95

19. Groundwater Recharge ............................................................................ 97

20. Aquifers Map ........................................................................................ 99

21. Land Cover (2002) .................................................................................101

22. Aquatic Park Concept Plan.......................................................................121

23. Foothills Park Concept Plan .....................................................................123

24. Rockledge Park Concept Plan ...................................................................125

25. Washington Park Concept Plan..................................................................127

1. Parks by classification, standards and deficiencies / surplus ................................ iv

2. Parks by classification, standards and deficits /surplus ..................................... 47

3. Pequannock Township Population Trends ...................................................... 50

4. Pequannock Township Age Cohort Trends...................................................... 50

5. Pequannock Township Age Cohort Trends as a Percent of the Total Population......... 51

6. Facility Amenities Matrix.......................................................................... 58

7. Environmental factors effecting park land development .................................... 75

8. Benchmark community’s recreation amenities...............................................103

9. Facility Strategy and Implementation Plan ...................................................119

Pequannock Township is located in the northeast corner of Morris County. It is

bounded on the east by the Pompton and Ramapo Rivers. The confluence of the

Pequannock, Ramapo and Pompton Rivers is located in Aquatic Park in the northeast

corner of the Township (see Figure1 and Map 1).

The fertile valley at this confluence

drew settlers, circa 1700, who farmed

all types of vegetables, flax and raised

livestock. Many types of mills were

built for processing of the farming

products. In 1740 Pequannock

Township was formed by the General

Session of Peace. The initial

incorporation of Pequannock Township

was 74,000 acres. Succession from the

Township began in 1844. By the 1920’s

the current community of 7.04 square

miles, which consists of Pequannock

and Pompton Plains, was all that

remained as Pequannock Township

Pequannock Township has 646.6 acres

of open space land utilized for park

and recreation purposes (see Map 1). Twenty four acres (24-acres) of two parks,

Rockledge and Cherry Street parks, remain undeveloped. The developed parks provide

a variety of recreational opportunities ranging from hiking, playgrounds, athletic fields

and courts, picnic areas, lake swimming, boating, fishing and camping.

This Town-wide Park and Recreation Master Plan (Master Plan) evaluates the number

and quality of facilities provided to Pequannock Township residents against the

anticipated needs and provides recommendations for improvements and acquisitions to

meet the anticipated demand for recreational facilities in the Township.

A master plan is an important tool developed to manage a study area and guide its

future. A master plan takes into account not only the physical environment, but also

the economic and social aspects that have impacts on the study area’s growth and

management.

The purpose of this master plan is to provide a framework, or roadmap, for the

restoration and future improvements within South Mountain Reservation. The master

plan provides for responsible stewardship of valuable recreational, ecological, social,

and historic resources amidst a suburban environment. Goals are understood as a part

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of the process. They are tested against historic, current and anticipated conditions

and needs. From this process a series of recommendations were developed for

implementation to address the identified needs.

The Master Plan is a living document and should be continuously consulted and

updated as improvements are completed and as the residents interests change.

The Master Plan process began with the inventory and analysis of Pequannock

Township’s existing resources. This includes site visits to the existing parks to

evaluative their facilities and natural resources by sight. The recourses evaluated

included athletic fields, picnic areas, roadways, parking areas, trails, buildings,

structures, ponds/lakes and furnishings.

On-site investigations were conducted from June 2006 to November 2006 to observe

general conditions, take measurements, photographs and verify locations. Field data

was combined with information from New Jersey Department of Environmental

Protection (NJDEP), New Jersey Geologic Survey, New Jersey Department of

Transportation and the New Jersey Image Warehouse.

Projected capital improvement plans were reviewed. This included the Aquatic Park

Master Plan. There were no past capital improvement plans identified. A needs

assessment was developed speaking with stakeholders, Township staff and

administration and evaluating the number and quality of the existing facilities against

the anticipated population. The recreation and leisure facilities provided by

Pequannock Township were evaluated against similar communities in Morris County

and the neighboring municipalities.

Recommendations were developed from the synthesis and analysis of all of this

information. These include acquisition opportunities and capital improvements and

prioritization of the identified tasks. Finally a 10-year capital improvement plan was

recommended.

Information Sources:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Bureau of Geographic Information Systems

http://www.nj.gov/dep.gis/index.html

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To provide a well rounded recreation and leisure experiences for all members

of the community.

The Township will meet the physical, mental, cultural and social needs of

Pequannock residents by providing the best possible overall park system through

programs, services, facilities and structures and by preserving and developing new and

existing lands and their improvements.

Goal 1: To improve the quality of life for community residents.

Objective 1.1: Enhance community spaces such as parks, streetscapes and

cultural resources.

resources help define the character of Pequannock Township. The

Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director in concert with

provide Township agencies and organizations will strive to improve and

maintain these vital resources.

Objective 1.2: Provide community activities and programs.

encourage healthy active living. The more active Pequannock residents are

the happier and more peaceful residents will be. Healthcare costs will also

be reduced. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director

will educate the Pequannock children and adults about healthy alternatives

for their eating and recreation habits and provide them a variety of

recreation opportunities.

Objective 1.3: Address public safety.

participate in. The Department of Parks and Recreation, through the

Director and working with other municipal departments and organizations,

will provide recreation opportunities that are as safe as possible taking into

consideration the inherent risks associated with some recreation

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opportunities. The facilities will be monitored and maintained in that their

use is safe.

Goal 2: Ensure equitable access to safe and attractive parks and

facilities that meet community needs.

Objective 2.1: Enhance/renovate existing facilities to maximize optimal usage.

the Township residents and should be utilized to their highest and best use.

The existing facilities should be continuously evaluated to improve

efficiencies and such improvements should be implemented. The

Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will identify

possible efficiencies and work towards implementing them as recommended

in the Master Plan.

Objective 2.2: Provide a system of community parks with balanced recreation

opportunities directed to all residents.

passive and active programs, are important to provide for residents. The

Township should not loose sight of the importance of passive recreation

such as hiking, boating, fishing, gardening, nature study, etc. The

Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will continue to

provide the varied recreation and leisure opportunities to Township

residents.

Objective 2.3: Increase the number of active recreation facilities available for use

by the Township residents.

being played in two or more seasons when they traditionally were played in

one. New sports are gaining in popularity with consistent increases in

participation. Residents are participating in both recreational leagues and

traveling leagues. All of these factors lead to the need for additional fields

to support the interest by the Township residents. The Department of

Parks and Recreation through the Director will work with the Board of

Education to strive to increase usage of their facilities through joint

venture projects as well as acquisition of additional lands that support

active recreational use.

Objective 2.4: Collaboration and partnership with local groups and surrounding

communities and groups for use of facilities and community programs.

of its lands ecologically sensitive (wetlands, steep slopes, floodway). This,

factored with the active participation in the recreation programs offered in

Town, makes it difficult the Township to be the sole provider to meet the

demand. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will

continue to work with the Board of Education and local community groups

who provide supporting programs. The Department will also open dialogues

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with local municipalities to evaluate the feasibility to share recreation

facilities. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will

develop a plan to coordinate all recreational opportunities (organizations)

within the Township and neighboring communities.

Objective 2.5: Balance the pro vision of open space with other land uses.

Pequannock Township with the extensive wetlands, floodway and floodplain

within the Township. Other possible land uses should be balanced with the

vision of open space for recreation and resource conservation. When this

is done the value of open space and resource conservation can be seen as

an economic benefit similar to previously typical forms of land

development. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the

Director will work with the Open Space Committee to evaluate possible

land acquisitions for their use as a recreational resource. The Department

of Parks and Recreation through the Director will present possible lands for

acquisition to the Open Space Committee.

Objective 2.6: Expand the local trail system to a local greenway network linking

the Township park system, schools, cultural resources and business district for safe

pedestrian access to all facilities.

opportunity to link the natural environment as well as the human

environment together. Natural habitat becomes more valuable for flora

and fauna when they are contiguous and not isolated pockets. Similarity,

parks and other open space become an even more valuable resource when

they are linked together through a greenway system. The greenway would

provide opportunities to safely travel throughout Town using alternative

means of travel. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the

Director will work with the Open Space Committee and administration in

developing a greenway network throughout the Township.

Objective 2.7: Link the existing Township trail system to Morris County’s trail

system.

to Morris County’s trail system will further expand the alternative travel

and recreation opportunities for Township residents. The Department of

Parks and Recreation through the Director will actively pursue linkages to

the Morris County trail system.

Objective 2.8: Link Township bike path to Morris County’s bike paths.

paths to Morris County’s bike paths will further expand the alternative

travel and recreation opportunities for Township residents. The

pursue linkages to the Morris County bike paths.

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Objective 2.9: Update and implement the Aquatic Park Master Plan in

collaboration with neighboring communities.

Township residents. A master plan for the property was previously

completed and should be updated based upon new NJDEP regulations and

recent findings. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the

Director will update the master plan and work with neighboring towns and

the administration in implementing the updated master plan.

Objective 2.10: Provide a recreation center that would address the expanding

indoor programming needs for day care, gym, weight room, large community

meeting room, etc.

While this is a good partnership, the available hours are decreasing due to

increasing school programming. The recreation programs are consistently

loosing space and time while the demand continues to rise. The demand

currently exists to support a building dedicated to recreation programming.

The Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will work

with Township committees, boards and administration to implement a new

recreation center.

Objective 2.11: Provide for specific recreation opportunities (i.e. camping,

fishing, boating, fitness trails).

Mountains and the confluence of two rivers gives Township residents the

opportunity for recreation experiences unique to the Township. These

opportunities should continue to be provided and emphasized as important

to the Pequannock recreational experience. The Department of Parks and

Recreation through the Director will continue to provide and support these

unique, specific recreation opportunities.

Objective 2.12: Support cooperative efforts between the Historic Preservation,

Open Space, Shade Tree and Environmental Commissions.

have similar and sometimes overlapping goals. These groups should

cooperatively update each other and work together to provide the most

cohesive and efficient results for Township residents. The Department of

Parks and Recreation through the Director will actively work with the other

Commissions to support their efforts and with an emphasis on the

relationship to providing recreation services to the local community.

Goal 3: Actively pursue adequate open space for future recreation

facilities.

Objective 3.1: Update the Township’s recreation and open space inventory (ROSI)

to include all parks and Township owned open space and submit to Green Acres.

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perpetuity. By listing all open space lands, not only parklands, these lands

will be available for use by Pequannock residents for generations to come.

The Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will update

the ROSI immediately to include existing open space lands and will continue

to update in the future when additional lands are added to the Township’s

open space system.

Objective 3.2: Actively pursue new Open Space lands for recreation

will work with the Township Open Space Committee and administration to

actively pursue Open Space lands. Immediate action will be to further

evaluate the options for the lands identified for acquisition for recreation

use in the Open Space Plan and as recommended within this report.

Objective 3.3: Engage the landowners of agricultural lands to participate in New

Jersey’s farmland preservation program.

Pequannock Township is one of the major defining elements of the

Township’s character. To loose these lands to development would change

the Township’s character forever. The Department of Parks and Recreation

through the Director will work with the Open Space Committee and

administration to open dialogues with the farm owners to try to gain

interest in the States’ farmland Preservation program.

Objective 3.4: Follow-up with the proposal for the Pia Costa tract to act as a

wetlands mitigation bank.

are significant wetlands on the property and there have been threatened

and endangered plant and animal species sited on the property. It also acts

as flood storage for the Township. With the approval of this property as a

receiving property as a wetlands mitigation bank the wetlands would be

preserved, restored and new wetlands created. The Department of Parks

and Recreation through the Director will work with the Open Space

Committee and the administration to support this property acting as a

wetlands mitigation bank.

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Goal 4: To preserve and enhance the social and ecological

environment for Township residents.

Objective 4.1: Preservation of environmentally sensitive areas. Coordinate these

efforts with adjacent communities.

impact on the quality of life of Township residents as well as the flora and

fauna in the Township. Disturbance of steep slopes of the Waghaw

Mountains effects soil stability, disturbance of wetlands effects water

quality and disturbance of floodways affects flood limits. The ecological

environment is not limited by governmental boundaries. It is important,

therefore, for all governing bodies that are spanned by the resource to

work together to preserve the resource. The Department of Parks and

Recreation through the Director will actively work with governing boards,

commissions and conservancy groups of Pequannock Township and

neighboring municipalities and county to preserve the ecological resources

in the area.

Objective 4.2: Use environmentally sensitive areas as educational resources.

unique opportunity to draw the Township residents back to nature. There

are spectacular views from Mountainside Park, possible siting of a state

threatened species, the wood turtle, at Rockledge Park and numerous

opportunities for nature study at Cherry Street Park, Aquatic Park and

others. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will

actively pursue partnership opportunities to thoughtfully develop

environmentally sensitive lands in accordance with regulations and provide

programs with the Board of Education that can meet NJ core curriculum

standards.

Objective 4.3: Preserve historically significant structures and adjoining lands.

Provide a link between the cultural resources to the Township park system.

roots and has numerous historical structures that remain from that time.

Connecting these sites to the park and open space system can bring

opportunities to educate the public about local heritage and active

recreation at the same time as they travel from one site to another. The

Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will support the

cultural resources in the Township and work to create a greenway system

that includes the Township’s cultural resources.

Objective 4.4: Educate the public about park resources and park stewardship.

encouraging them to participate in park planning and management. Ties

among community residents can be built and strengthened by bringing

people together, including those who are otherwise divided by race or

class, and by helping them work together on common projects. The

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Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will continue to

support community involvement in the planning and management of their

parks.

Objective 4.5: Work in conjunction with state open space preservation goals.

regional residents the more connections there are to other systems.

Neighboring towns should have a cohesive network that also connects to the

larger county network then the state network. The Department of Parks and

Recreation through the Director will meet or exceed the preservation goals

outlined by the state by working with the Open Space Committee,

administration and through partnerships.

Goal 5: Implement and update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan

(PRMP) so it remains a dynamic guide for the Park and Recreation

Department.

Objective 5.1: Pursue funding through grants, loans, gifts and donations to

implement Township PRMP per the recommendations in the Master Plan.

through the Director will work with the administration in pursuing

alternative funding sources to implement the CRMP.

Objective 5.2: Develop capitol improvement plans for 1, 3, 5, and 10 years.

be set to allow for proper planning of expenditures. The Department of

Parks and Recreation through the Director will develop and update capitol

improvement plans for the years noted.

Objective 5.3: Solicit form the community their program and activities wants and

needs and when possible, implement them.

updated approximately once every five years to verify any changes that

should be made to support the current way residents recreate. The

Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will work with the

community when updating the master plan.

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Goal 6: Management of the park system to the highest standards.

Objective 6.1: Raise the standards of the maintenance operations for all facilities.

user and receives more respect and less vandalism, even if it is only in the

form of trash left on the ground. By constantly striving to improve

maintenance the Township staff as well as residents can take pride in the

service that is provided. The Department of Parks and Recreation through

the Director will strive to maintain all facilities to the highest standards

possible. The Department of Parks and Recreation through the Director will

develop and implement a comprehensive maintenance schedule for each

facility.

Objective 6.2: Provide tools and performance standards to manage the

responsibility, authority and accountability of the Park and Recreation Department

and its operations.

and has full control of the Department’s functions and operations allowing

for efficiency and full accountability, however, the restructuring and

financial operations of the Department would enable the Director to fully

utilize the tools necessary to provide services to the Department’s

constituents. The director will propose changes to the administration

consistent with acceptable budgeting and accounting standards to provide a

more efficient functioning of the department.

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In the preparation of the Recreation Master Plan for Pequannock Township, many

previously completed reports were analyzed and taken into consideration. These

reports include the 2003 Master Plan Reexamination Report, the Highlands Council

Draft Regional Master Plan, The Pequannock Open Space Plan and the Aquatic Park

Master Plan. The recommendations set forth in the Recreation Master Plan strongly

reflect the goals set forth in these documents.

In 2003 a reexamination report for Pequannock Township’s Master Plan was

completed. The purpose of this document was to reevaluate the goals identified

within the Master Plan to ensure that they still reflected current community goals.

Furthermore, it identifies new goals that may have developed since the initial release

of the Master Plan and previous reexamination reports. The implementation of a path

and trail system to better connect the townships parks and open space as well as an

initiative to provide additions and improvements to the current park facilities are the

two major goals set forth in the 2003 Master Plan Reexamination report that address

the deficit of recreational space that currently exists within the Township. Specific

goals listed in the Reexamination Report related to active and passive recreation and

leisure include:

around the mountains so as not to disturb these views. Emphasize

collaborative work with the Borough of Kinnelon to help preserve this area.

links, will connect the Township’s parks and open spaces.

Communities.

create buffers, and where possible, greenways and paths. Coordinate the

conservation of these areas with adjacent communities utilizing conservation

easements and other land protection mechanisms.

along the Pequannock River. Along the length of the river corridor, the

severity of the wetlands and floodplains has caused the area to experience

limited development. In order to protect and enhance the river, its banks,

and the floodplains, an overall plan for river from access and community

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use should be created. The Township restricts development of

environmentally sensitive lands by restricting construction in flood plains

and enforcing wetland protection laws.

Rivers which include numerous islands and coordinate these efforts with

adjacent communities.

Mountains.

Parks and Recreation regarding additions and improvements to park facilities.

open space/recreation lands, recreation upgrades of existing facilities and

purchase of equipment.

protection mechanisms and public access programs.

protection mechanisms.

zoning and enforcement.

aquifer recharge areas and wells of the Township through its regulation of

permitted and prohibited uses.

programs aimed at promoting safety and preventing flood damage.

Highlands at the confluence of the Pompton, Pequannock, and Ramapo Rivers.

The community is ideally located and is important for the linkage and transition

it provides between the rural Highlands communities and suburban

Passaic/Morris County communities. The area is environmentally significant for

the flood plain and water resources is affords, but also for the extensive

wetlands, and wildlife habitat and linkages adjacent to the river that is

provides. Pequannock Township must make it a priority to protect these areas,

expand open space opportunities and provide essential linkages to Township

and regional trails through improvements to Aquatic Park and along the river.

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The river and lands adjacent to the river also offer a unique opportunity to both

the community and the region. As such as Aquatic Park along the Pequannock

River are ideally located, but have no parking, signage or improvements. Along

the length of the river corridor, the severity of the wetlands and floodplains has

caused the area to experience limited development. In order to protect and

enhance the river, its banks, and the floodplains, and overall plan for riverfront

access and community use should be created. Such improvements to consider

include property acquisition, trial linkages, and possible playfield.

In August 2004, the New Jersey Legislature enacted the Highlands Water Protection

and Planning Act (Highlands Act) with the goal of protecting and planning for a region

that supplies drinking water for more than 5.4 million New Jersey residents. As a

guide to ensure this goal is met the Highlands Council has issued a draft Regional

Master Plan for public comment before a final plan is adopted. The Highlands region,

which consists of 860,000 acres in 88 municipalities, is divided into two classifications

that are determined by an areas specific level of sensitivity and ecological

significance. The more sensitive areas are defined as Preservation Areas while the less

critical areas are defined as Planning Areas. All of Pequannock Township falls within

the jurisdiction of the Highlands Act. Pequannock Township north of Interstate 287

including Mountainside Park is within the Highlands Preservation area while the

remainder of the Township falls within the Highlands Planning Area.

Land that falls within the Preservation Areas must abide by the regulations of the

Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. The Planning Areas, on the other hand,

are not required to comply with these regulations although it is strongly

recommended. In fact many municipalities are providing incentives to do so.

Furthermore, these areas each have specific planning goals. Of particular importance

is that the Preservation Areas and Planning Areas share the common goal of preserving

outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing, on publicly owned land. For a complete list

of goals and requirements please refer to the Highlands Council Draft Regional Master

Plan. Another feature of the Highlands Council Draft Regional Master plan is the Land

Use Capability Map which breaks the highlands region down into different zones that

indicate the type of development the land can support. The Land Use Capability Map is

based on an analysis of natural resources, existing development, infrastructure, and

agricultural activities. The map establishes three major geographic zones that overlay

municipal zoning, each with its own criteria and standards. See below for a description

of each:

mixed with important environmental features that should be preserved when

possible. There are no lands within Pequannock Township classified as

Conservation Zones.

critical to maintaining water quality, quantity, and other significant ecological

processes. Standards in the zone prohibit the disturbance of natural resources

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or expansion of infrastructure. Public land acquisition is a priority in the

Protection Zone.

Within Pequannock Township the Protection Zone includes Mountainside Park

and the western portion of the Township whose limits appear to conform to the

eastern wetlands boundaries, Aquatic Park and the Pia Costa Tract.

development. These areas are less environmentally constrained, and, with

planning, may support development in a manner and intensity desired by the

municipality. Emphasis will be on increasing land use efficiency, encouraging

the use of previously developed lands through techniques such as

revitalization, adaptive reuse, in fill, and property assemblage. In addition to

zone standards, site specific standards may apply, reflecting the presence of

such natural features as streams or steep slopes. The remainder of

Pequannock Township is located within this zone.

The purpose of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan (State Plan) is to:

The State Plan identified Parks and Natural Areas as a public investment specifically

for resource preservation and the provision of recreational opportunities. Parks and

Natural Areas fulfill a broad range of functions along continuum from resource

conservation to active recreation.

With the delineation of Parks and Natural Areas, the State Plan’s intention is to

protect critical habitats and resources, provide recreational opportunities and create a

connected system of open lands for posterity. According to the map titled “Critical

Environmental Sites and Historic and Cultural Sites” there is a ring of critical

environmental lands that appear to stretch from Mountainside Park along the northern

Township boundary to and including Aquatic Park. Critical Environmental sites are

also located along the East Ditch.

Planning Areas

The State Development and Redevelopment Plan (1) provides a balance between

growth and conservation by designating planning areas that share common conditions

with regard to development and environmental features. Those that are found within

Pequannock Township include:

portion of the Township.

centrally located pointing southwest to the southern township boundary and

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Environmentally Sensitive Planning Areas Planning Area 5 is within Mountainside

Park area and the westernmost Township boundary. In these planning areas,

planning should promote a balance of conservation and limited growth—

environmental constraints affect development and preservation is encouraged

in large contiguous tracts.

5 is within Mountainside Park area and the westernmost Township boundary.

mitigate future negative impacts, particularly to waterfronts, scenic vistas,

wildlife habitats and to Critical Environmental Sites, and Historic and Cultural

Sites. Give special emphasis to improving air quality. Use open space to

reinforce neighborhood and community identity and protect natural linear

systems, including regional systems that link to other Planning Areas.

facilities at the neighborhood, local and regional levels by concentrating on the

maintenance and rehabilitation of existing parks and open space while

expanding and linking the system through redevelopment and reclamation

projects.

historic or significant buildings, Historic and Cultural Sites, neighborhoods and

districts in ways that will not compromise either the historic resource or the

area’s ability to redevelop. Coordinate historic preservation with tourism

efforts.

Centers and to maintain contiguous open space corridors that link to other

Planning Areas and Centers.

and facilities at neighborhood and local levels by targeting and acquisition and

development of neighborhood and municipal park land within Centers. Provide

regional recreation opportunities by targeting park land acquisitions and

improvements that enhance large contiguous open space systems.

historic or significant buildings, Historic and Cultural Sites, neighborhoods and

districts in ways that will not compromise either the historic resource or the

ability of a Center to develop or redevelop. Outside Centers, coordinate

historic preservation needs with open space and farmland preservation efforts.

Coordinate historic preservation with tourism efforts.

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and corridors of recreation, forest or other open space land that protects

natural systems and sensitive natural resources, including endangered species,

ground and surface water resources, wetland systems, natural landscape of

exceptional value, critical slope areas, scenic vistas and other significance

environmentally sensitive features.

opportunities at the neighborhood and local levels by targeting the acquisitions

and development of neighborhood and municipal parkland within Centers.

Provide regional recreation and tourism opportunities by targeting parkland

acquisitions and improvements that enhance large contiguous open space

systems. Ensure meaningful access to public lands.

historic or significant buildings, Historic and Cultural Sites, neighborhoods and

districts in ways that will not compromise either the historic resource or the

ability for a Center to develop or redevelop. Outside Centers, coordinate

historic preservation needs with open space preservation efforts. Coordinate

historic preservation with tourism efforts.

A Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is produced every five

years to serve as a status report, strategic plan and guide for natural and recreational

resource protection and planning within the State. The major goals of the 2003 SCORP

include preserving open space, promoting the development of parks, implementing

policies consistent with New Jersey’s smart growth principles, supporting open space

initiatives of local government and organizations, and to use funding from open space

programs effectively. Furthermore, the 2003 SCORP presents current information on

the supply, demand and need for recreation and open space in New Jersey.

For purposes of estimating the amount of open space required for recreation purpose,

an

approach referred to as the Balanced Land Use Concept has been determined to be

the

most appropriate for New Jersey. The Balanced Land Use approach is a method of

estimating the amount of recreational land that should be set aside by governments in

New Jersey to provide recreation opportunities for the existing and future residents of

the state. According to these guidelines 3% of the land at a municipal level should be

set aside for recreation.

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During the preparation of 2003 SCORP seven issues were identified as being necessary

to meet the current and projected future public open space and recreation needs in

New Jersey. The issues stated in this SCORP related to Pequannock Township are:

Land Preservation

Open space is an intricate system serving a variety of functions, often

concurrently, which are essential in sustaining and enhancing New Jersey as a

desirable place to live and work. Open space can protect the quality and

quantity of surface and groundwater resources, guide development and growth,

preserve natural and historic resources, shape community character, and

provide land for recreation. Additionally, the economic value and benefits of

open space have been the subject of several studies. From increasing the value

of adjacent properties and generating revenue from recreational activities to

reducing the cost for public services, the economic impact of open space can

be significant.

Recreation

Recreation providers are finding that while recreation demand is increasing and

contributes significantly to the State’s economy, the benefits it supplies are

not easily dispensed. The demand and need for recreation are being driven

largely by the State’s increasing population. It seems that it is impossible to

build enough soccer fields or softball fields in New Jersey. It also seems

difficult to find a park in the state that does not have a problem with Canada

geese. There is a statewide trend of residents living near parks resisting the

development of recreation facilities, particularly playing fields. Increased

usage translates into greater operational and maintenance costs. Demographic

trends point not only to an increasing population, but also the ongoing aging of

New Jersey’s population.

All of these factors, along with others means that public park and recreation

agencies must continue to provide the programs and facilities to meet an

increasing demand. Annual visitation at state parks tops 15 million and

Monmouth and Somerset counties report annual park attendance of nearly four

million and two million, respectively. At the municipal level, towns struggle

with finding fields for soccer games. That fact and that recreation land often

competes with other land use needs complicates matters even more. It is clear

that the State and local governments must work together to provide for the

parks and recreation needs of its citizens. It is also clear that planning will play

a key role in identifying appropriate lands for recreational development. Local

government open space and recreation plans can guide the acquisition and

development of public conservation and recreation areas to provide a balanced

park system.

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Greenways

Called parkways or greenbelts in the past, greenways have evolved as an

economical and efficient solution to the need for public open space throughout

New Jersey. Greenways can offer close to home recreational activities such as

walking, running, biking and birding. Those associated with water can provide

canoeing and fishing opportunities. Greenways also can protect

environmentally sensitive areas, link public open space areas, provide wildlife

habitat and preserve community character. Rarely does a greenway serve a

single purpose.

The goals of the Garden State Greenways project are to:

environmentally sensitive lands as part of New Jersey’s green

infrastructure.

provide recreational opportunities within walking distance access to

New Jersey residents.

non-government agencies involved in conservation, recreation and land

use planning efforts.

Partnerships

It is hard to imagine open space preservation in New Jersey without

partnerships. In fact, it has become common practice to seek partners to

leverage funding, share project responsibilities or assist in land management

activities. The need for agencies and organizations to participate in partnership

projects in New Jersey is great. The benefits are many but there are also

complications. However, time and again, partnerships prove themselves to be

an important strategy to employ and worth the effort. Simply put, some

projects would not be possible without partnerships. Increased data sharing

among governmental jurisdictions and conservation groups would enhance

preservation and planning efforts.

Stewardship

Both state and local governments are challenged to meet the goal of proper

stewardship of the public’s lands and recreational resources. The State

Department of Environmental Protection manages 64% of all public lands in

New Jersey. Local governments manage 18% of public lands. Though much of

the State land is largely undeveloped, many historic, recreation and education

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facilities are maintained and operated on both state and local lands. Over

many years, funds for the operation and capital needs in recreation areas have

fallen short of the needs. Some local governments use open space taxes for

development and maintenance expenditures associated with their park

systems. In these cases, dedicated funding has given these jurisdictions some

predictability and flexibility to meet the needs to acquire open spaces,

maintain their recreation infrastructure and meet the needs of visitors.

Deferral of capital spending for renovation and rehabilitation can lead to larger

expenses down the road. Some facilities require compliance with disability

access guidelines and some are in need of costly upgrades for environmental

infrastructure projects such as water and sewage systems. Capital needs left

unmet can lead to irreplaceable resource losses, particularly those of historic

significance.

Stewardship at times entails enforcement to protect natural resources. The

increasing popularity of off-road vehicles (ORV) in New Jersey has presented

challenges for the management of public lands and the protection of natural

resources. As ORV ownership has increased in New Jersey and neighboring

states over the past several years, there has been a marked increase in the

unlawful use of these vehicles on public lands. This unlawful usage has caused

extensive damage to sensitive natural areas with no provision for restoration;

has diminished the use and enjoyment of public lands and other natural areas

by other user groups; has diverted resources from other resource protection

priorities; and has created serious risks to ORV users, to the public, and to law

enforcement personnel. By adopting a policy that prohibits ORV use in state

parks, forests and wildlife management areas, and increases fines, together

with increased enforcement, the State has taken an aggressive stance against

unlawful use of ORV on state lands.

Stewardship, however, also involves planning and working with interest groups

to address concerns and find solutions. As part of its ORV policy, the Division of

Natural and Historic Resources will work to develop appropriate recreational

areas for lawful ORV users with the goal of having two new such facilities in

operation by 2005. The New Jersey Trails Council will participate in this effort

by establishing an ORV subcommittee representing a cross-section of interested

environmental, recreational, ORV industry and ORV user groups. No current

state park, wildlife management area or other environmentally sensitive area

will be considered in the site review and selection process.

The Governor’s Council on New Jersey Outdoors has over the years identified a

lack of park operation and maintenance funding as a serious problem

confronting public recreation providers. State public open space and recreation

areas are challenged by rapidly increasing visitation. The Division of Parks and

Forestry has experienced a more than 4.1 million increase in annual visitation

between 1991 and 2001. For those that care about the natural, recreational

and historic resources and for those that have a clear vision of the imperative

to protect open space, it is frustrating to contemplate this question: How can

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we spend money to protect more open space when we do not take proper care

of the lands and facilities for which we are already responsible?

The answer is that we must do both – balancing fiscal resources for both

preservation and stewardship needs. Many lands that are in public ownership

require very little, in terms of resources, to manage. Others, particularly the

high recreation use areas of parks and some wildlife management areas, need

substantive fiscal and personnel resources. Public testimony to the Governor’s

Council was critical of both local and state governments’ inadequate attention

to the stewardship of public parks and recreation areas. The need to serve the

public through the protection of open space and maintenance of historic and

recreational resources is a critical quality of life issue for New Jersey residents.

In 1993 an Open Space and Recreation Plan was developed for Pequannock Township.

This document inventoried the natural, historic, and recreation assets of the Township

and provided suggestions to preserve and expand upon these valuable resources.

The need for additional recreational space was strongly emphasized within the

Pequannock Open Space and Recreation Plan. The plan notes that recreation demand

remains strong and continues growing with an increasing number of residents

participating in sports and suggests the acquisition of additional lands to accommodate

this demand.

The recommendations section of this report identifies specific parcels with the

potential for development into athletic fields. In addition to the shortage of athletic

fields and recreation facilities, the report identifies the need to improve access to

existing facilities as well as increase the amount of parking provided. Within our

recommendations we have provided concepts illustrating how this can be

accomplished. Finally, the report recommends the development of a greenway system

connection the Highlands region in the west to the Rivers on the east. This would

provide increased protection against flooding, provide increased recreational

opportunities along the river and create connectivity between existing parcels of open

space. This improved connectivity would make the existing open space much more

function from both an ecological and use perspective.

Completed in October 2004 by Burgis Associates, the Aquatic Park Master Plan put

forth several goals for the park. These goals included creating a connection with

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existing open space resources in the region, provide unique recreational opportunities

for a diversity of users, ensuring the continued conservation of this ecologically

sensitive area and to provide educational opportunities relation to the environment

and habitat such as wildlife viewing areas. Recommendations for Aquatic Park put

forth in the master plan included improved accessibility and parking, a park

gateway/information kiosk, an amphitheater, a meadow habitat region, an aquatic

habitat region and a river trail, and a woodland habitat region.

The Aquatic Park Master Plan addresses the 40 acres of Pequannock owned land.

Pequannock Township, however, has the rights to develop and manage the 40 acres of

Aquatic Park lands owned by Morris County. It is our recommendation that an update

of the Aquatic Park Master Plan be completed to re-address the goals as well as

provide updated recommendations for the location of the suggested elements and

possible new program elements for the total 90 acres of Aquatic Park.

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25

There are a variety of methods and approaches that have been used in the past by

different agencies to consider the necessary and appropriate amount and type of

parkland for a given region. The Master Plan presents two different methods for

determining the need for recreational open space, which may be applied to

Pequannock Township.

The methods include 1) an analysis based on New Jersey’s Balanced Land Use

Guidelines and 2) a population –based analysis

The population-based standards set a goal for a finite period of time, which may best

be used for short-term goals. The Land Use standards set their goals in perpetuity,

recognizing that land is finite and any preservation efforts now will benefit all

generations to follow.

It is important to note that the population based analysis does not relate the standards

to the natural resources of the area such as wetlands, stream corridor, wooded areas

and wildlife habitats.

The second analysis looks at recreation activities and the facilities required to provide

these activities. This Master Plan establishes the type and quantity of facilities the

Township should develop in the future. The ultimate goal of this analysis is to

quantify the amount of public open space required to meet the Township’s

recreational needs.

New Jersey’s State Comprehensive Outdoor and Recreation Plan identifies the goal for

New Jersey municipalities to provide three percent (3%) of the total developable lands

within the municipality for recreation uses. This balanced land use approach takes

into consideration the extent of wetlands and steep slopes in the municipality and

removes those lands from the total developable lands within the municipality.

According to this methodology Pequannock Township, with its 647 acres of park land,

has preserved fourteen percent (14%) of its overall lands and thirty percent (30%) of

the Township’s developable lands for recreation purposes.

This analysis is unevenly balanced, however, due to eighty-two percent (82%) of the

preserved lands suitable only for passive recreation or resource areas due to wetlands

and steep slopes on the site. So while there is a significant amount of lands preserved

26

for recreation purposes the Township does not have a balance between lands suitable

for active and passive recreation.

In 1995, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), in collaboration with

the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, published “Park,

recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines.” The revised guidelines

acknowledge that each community is unique, and that it is difficult to apply one set of

special standards to all communities as had been done in the past. Instead, the

guidelines reflect a more systematic planning approach that takes into account the

unique needs, desires and resources of communities as well as changing

environmental, social, economic and demographic trends.

With this framework in mind, the NRPA takes a different approach to park planning,

analyzing the types of parks and facilities require for each individual community, along

with the amount of acreage required to site those kinds of parks and facilities. The

process includes identifying the classifications of parks and the level of service for

each facility within each park classification. Map 2 shows the park and school

locations within Pequannock Township. The guidelines currently being discussed take

into consideration the common shared use of school facilities with Township

recreation programming needs.

Park Classifications

These parks are located within walking distance of the area serviced, and they address

limited or isolated recreational needs. These parks are the vest pocket and tot lots of

the past. Their small size requires intense development and little to no buffer

between the park and adjacent land users is provided. Map 3 identifies the locations

of the Mini Parks within Pequannock Township.

The standards for mini park development are as follows:

Service Area: Ľ mile radius to serve walk-in recreation needs of surrounding

populations.

Acreage/Population Ratio: 0.5 acres per 1,000 persons

Desirable Size: 2500 s.f. to 1 acre

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Potential Facilities:

Neighborhood parks are the basic unit of the park system and serve as the recreational

and social focus of the neighborhood. The parks are usually located within walking

distance of the area serviced, and they provide a variety of activities of interest to all

age groups. Creating a sense of place by bringing together the unique character of the

site with that of the neighborhood is vital to successful design. While their small size

requires intense development, fifty percent of each site should remain undisturbed to

serve as a buffer between the park and adjacent land users. Map 4 identifies the

locations of the Neighborhood Parks within Pequannock Township.

The standards for neighborhood park development are as follows:

Service Area: ˝ to 1 mile distance uninterrupted by physical barriers.

Acreage/Population Ratio: 2 acres per 1,000 persons

Desirable Size: 5 to 10 acres

Potential Facilities:

The trend in public agencies is toward joint use. Through joint use the patrons of both

schools and parks benefit for shared use of facilities and valuable land resources.

School-park sites often complement other community open lands, such as Hillview

Elementary School and Hillview Park in the Township. The school park concept

maximizes the joint use concept and provides a planned facility which maximizes

public funds. The school park concept typically varies depending on the school. The

elementary/middle school provides the ideal setting for a neighborhood park. While

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the middle/high school follows the function of a community park or youth sports

complex. Map 5 identifies the locations of the School-Parks within Pequannock

Township.

The standards for neighborhood park development are as follows:

Service Area: Varies depending on school type and park type.

Desirable Size: Varies depending on school type and park type.

Potential Facilities: Varies depending on school type and park type.

Community parks provide for the recreation needs of several neighborhoods or large

sections of the community. A range of facilities is typically provided and may support

tournament competition for athletic and league sport or passive recreation. These

parks also present opportunities of nontraditional types of recreation. Fifty percent of

the community park site should be developed for only passive recreation; these

relatively undisturbed areas may serve as buffers around the park and/or act as

buffers between active facilities.

Community parks sites should have varying topography and vegetative communities.

Forested areas should have a variety of tree species. Cleared areas should be present

for siting active recreational facilities. One or more natural water feature(s) such as a

lake, river, or creek is desirable in community parks. Parkland should also be

contiguous and strategically located in order to be accessible to all users within the

neighborhoods it serves. Map 6 identifies the locations of the Community Parks within

Pequannock Township.

The standards for neighborhood park development are as follows:

Service Area: ˝ to 2 mile radius.

Acreage/Population Ratio: 2.5 acres per 1,000 persons

Desirable Size: 30 to 50 acres

Potential Facilities:

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depending on community needs or special site characteristics.

Sports complexes function as the major source of active recreation in the community.

They are typically at larger and fewer sites strategically located throughout the

community. Sports complexes should be developed to accommodate the specific

needs of user groups and athletic associations based on demands and program

offerings. Passive recreation opportunities are usually limited, but may be found in

the undisturbed areas, such as within surrounding buffers.

Sites for sports complexes should be relatively flat to alleviate excessive grading of

active facilities. Since most of the land will be developed for athletic fields, sites

without significant vegetation or natural features are acceptable and in some cases

preferable. Sites should be accessible from major thoroughfares. Direct access to

residential areas should be limited and buffers, where adjacent to residential area,

should be provided. Map 7 identifies the locations of the Sports Complex within

Pequannock Township.

The standards for neighborhood park development are as follows:

Service Area: ˝ to 3 mile radius.

Acreage/Population Ratio: 5 acres per 1,000 persons

Desirable Size: 25 to 80 acres

Potential Facilities:

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Support Facilities:

The Special use park classification covers a broad range of parks and recreation

facilities oriented toward a single-purpose use. These parks should be viewed as

strategically located community-wide facilities rather than as serving a well-defined

neighborhood or areas. The site should be easily accessible from local and major

roads and centrally located if feasible. The Special Use Parks within Pequannock

Township are Pequannock Valley Park and Woodland Lake.

The standards for neighborhood park development are as follows:

Service Area: Community-wide

Desirable Size: Varies depending on use.

Potential Facilities:

Natural resource areas are lands set aside for preservation of significant natural

resources, remnant landscapes, open space and visual aesthetics/buffering. These

sites consist of individual sites with natural resources and lands that are unsuitable for

development but offer natural resource potential.

Recreational opportunities include nature viewing and study. Natural resource areas

can also function as greenways. All development should be kept to a level that

preserves the integrity of the resource.

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Size and location of the Natural Resource Area will be dependent upon the availability

and opportunity and quality of the site for preservation. Map 8 identifies the locations

of the Natural Resource Area within Pequannock Township.

Examples:

Greenways tie the park system components together to form a cohesive park

environment, they emphasize harmony with the natural environment, allow for

uninterrupted and safe pedestrian movement between parks and other open space

components throughout the community, provide people with a resource based outdoor

recreational opportunity and they can enhance property values.

Greenways can either be “natural” following natural resources or “man-made” built as

part of a development project or during renovation of old development areas such as

an old railroad bed. Existing and proposed greenways are noted in the Township

Master Plan

Desirable Size: 50 to 200 foot width

Potential Activities:

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Information Sources:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Bureau of Geographic Information Systems

http://www.nj.gov/dep.gis/index.html

Park Boundaries

Major Roads

Aquatic Park NRA

Hidden Cove NRA

Meyers Brook NRA

Mountainside Park NRA

Pequannock Township

Recreation Need by Park Classification

Level of Service guidelines are set for park classifications except School-Park,

Greenways and Special Use Parks.

Based upon the 2005 census data all of the park classifications that receive a level of

service in Pequannock Township have a deficit to what should be provided. There is a

deficit of eight (8) acres of Mini-Parks, a deficit of eight (8) acres of Neighborhood

Parks, a deficit of sixteen (16) acres of Community Parks and a deficit of fifty-seven

(57) acres of Sports Complex.

The majority of the Township parks are located in the central to southern area of the

Township. This is most likely due to the location of wetlands and floodplain

influencing the initial settlement of the Township with the first homesteads in the

north central section of town. When parks and recreation development came to the

forefront there was more opportunity to set aside lands for recreation and leisure in

the central and southern part of town. This provides an imbalance to access to the

provided parks and their recreation and leisure facilities. The residents in the

southern and south-central part of the Township have better access to facilities than

those in the north and north-central part of the Township.

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Two Mini Parks, Lyon and Riverside Parks, and one Neighborhood Park, Lyman Park,

are located in the southeastern corner of the Township. One neighborhood park,

Foothills Park, is located in the northwest corner of the Township. Pequannock

Township has one Community Park, Greenview Park, in the southwestern corner of the

Township. There are two Sport Complexes, Town Hall Field and Washington Park,

centrally located. Hillview Park is considered part of a School-Park as it is adjacent

to Hillview Elementary School and Pequannock Valley Middle School. North Boulevard

and Stephen J. Grace Elementary Schools and Pequannock Township High School are

other School-Parks within the Township (see Map 2 for park and school locations).

While the schools are not managed directly by the Township they are a valuable

resource that should continue to be actively pursued for partnership for recreation

use.

There are four natural resource areas within Pequannock Township, Aquatic Park,

Hidden Cove, Meyers Brook and Mountainside Park. Wetlands can be found on ninety

seven percent (97%) of the land within Aquatic Park, seventy one percent (71%) of

Hidden Cove lands and thirty seven percent (37%) of Meyers Brook’s lands. Steep

slopes of thirty percent (30%) or more comprise ninety percent (90%) of the land

within Mountainside Park. The sensitive lands associated with these parks and the

respective regulations as well as their location and configuration (Meyers Brook) limit

the development opportunities for these parks to passive trail development.

Community parks can provide facilities similar to Neighborhood Parks and Mini Parks.

Neighborhood Parks can also provide facilities similar to Mini Parks.

When evaluating the deficit of park classifications and the typical uses within those

park classes the park classification hierarchy is taken into consideration. For example,

the facilities found in a Mini Park may also be found in all of the other park

classifications except Natural Resource Area and Greenways. This could mean that a

Neighborhood Park can supply the demand for a Mini Park depending upon the location

within the Township.

In addition, School Complexes may also partially supply the demand for certain park

classifications based upon the available facilities and availability for use. In

Pequannock, Stephen J. Grace and Hillview Elementary Schools have playgrounds.

They may act as Mini Parks, Neighborhood Parks or Sports Complexes during non-school

hours.

Mini Parks and the typical facilities of such parks are well distributed in the southern

section of town. In addition to Lyon Park and Riverside Park, Greenview Park and

Stephen J. Grace Elementary School are in the southern section of town. These

provide the facilities that a Mini Park would and are well distributed in the southern

section of town.

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Hillview Elementary School serves as a Mini Park in the center of town. There is a gap

in service for the residents to the south and west of the school.

Two sites in the northern section of the Township provide the facilities found in a Mini

park, North Boulevard School and Foothills Park. Both sites have a playground.

Access to Foothills Park, however, is by vehicle not by foot as there is no safe

pedestrian access to the park. There is a gap in service between Hillview and North

Boulevard Schools north and south and east to west in the Township.

The Neighborhood Parks are located at opposite ends of the Township (northwest and

southeast). Greenview Park, a Community Park, can serve the need as a Neighborhood

Park. There is a gap in service with no Neighborhood Park in the central or the

northeast section of town.

Greenview Park is the only Community Park within the Township. This serves the

residents in the southwest corner of town with a gap in service for the remainder of

the Township.

Sports Complex should be strategically located within the Township. The current

facilities are centrally located on the eastern side of town.

The schools in Pequannock Township are located in the north-south central corridor.

They serve as Mini Parks, Neighborhood Parks, and Sports Complexes. As these lands

are not managed by Pequannock Township they were not included within the

surplus/deficit calculations but will be considered as part of the facility

recommendations.

We must remember as we go through the planning process for the Township-wide

Recreation Master Plan that we are planning for people. Since the level and quantity

of parks and recreation services demand is directly related to the number of people

demanding the given services, changes in both the number and composition of that

local population affects local government planning. A youthful population makes

different demands on parks facilities than a much older population does, and an

increase in certain cultural groups – Hispanics, for example- can create yet another set

of demands.

Since estimates of population change are crucial to planning, budgeting and financing

park improvements, they are essential to this Master Plan.

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Population

century (Table 3). According to the Pequannock Township Master Plan (1995) the

decline was in large part due to the decrease in household size and a relatively stable

increase and the population trend will continue to increase with a projected increase

in 2005 of 12.13% according to projections from the American Community Survey.

The age of Pequannock Township residents has been shifting over the last forty years

Table 4). There was a big drop in the residents under 5 years of age (-41.10%)

between 1970 and 1980. The total numbers of that segment of the population has

been gradually increasing since then and represents the second greatest change in age

cohort in the Township from 1990 (21.72%). There has been a steady decline in the

residents 5 – 24 years of age from the 1970 through 2000, although in the last 10 years

the decline is relatively insignificant (0.52%). The change in total numbers in the 25-

44 age cohort has shown slight fluxuations from 1970 to 2000. Similarly the numbers

of resident’s aged 45-64 have shown a steady increase over the years since 1970. The

age group that has show the greatest growth in Pequannock Township is those

residents aged 65 and over. This age group has significantly increased since 1970

with the latest increase of 25.38% from 1990, the largest increase from 1990 in any

age cohort.

Under 5 -484 -41.10% 93 13.40% 169 21.72%

5 - 24 -675 -11.90% -1543 -31.00% -18 0.52%

25 - 44 -137 -3.60% 223 6.10% 199 5.08%

45 - 64 406 13.90% 128 3.80% 298 9.55%

65 and over 316 38.60% 424 37.40% 396 25.38%

The percent of the total population for each age cohort follows the individual trends

for the change in the total for each age cohort (Table 5). While the greatest changes

in total numbers have been occurring in the under 5 and 65 and over age cohorts they

still comprise the two smallest age groups in Pequannock Township in 2000. Their

increasing trends, however, indicate the need to pay special attention to confirm

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there are adequate facilities for an increasing population in these two age groups.

The age group comprising the greatest segment of the population in 2000 is the 25-44

age cohort. This percent of the total population for this age group has shown slight

fluxuations since 1970. The age group showing the greatest change in the overall

percentages of the total population is the 5 – 24 age cohort, decreasing by almost 15%

since 1970 when it had the greatest portion of the population (39.40%). The last age

cohort is 45-64 which has remained constant over the last thirty years at just over 24%

of the total population.

Under 5 8.18% 5.02% 6.06% 6.82%

5 - 24 39.40% 35.99% 26.99% 24.83%

25 - 44 26.44% 26.44% 30.50% 29.64%

45 - 64 20.29% 24.35% 24.30% 24.63%

65 and over 5.69% 8.20% 12.15% 14.08%