Photo Caption: State Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald, State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey, Assemblyman Steve Englebright , NYSDOT Regional Director Subi Chakraborti, State Parks Deputy Regional Director Brian Foley, Brookhaven Town Councilman Steve Fiore Rosenfeld President Charles McAteer and members of Friends of the Greenway (Three Village Trust), and NYSDOT project staff members gathered to celebrate the upcoming construction of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Multi-Use Path Phase II. 6/28/12
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE CONTACT: Bill Reynolds
Friday, June 29, 2012 (518) 457-6400
STATE DOT AND PARKS COMMISSIONERS SPOTLIGHT LONG ISLAND BICYCLE PATH PROJECTS
New Paths at Jones Beach, Bethpage Park and Setauket to Add More Than 18 Miles to State’s 172 Miles of Bike Routes on Long Island
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey visited three new bicycle/multi-use path construction project sites on Long Island yesterday, highlighting the more than 18 miles of new paths being added to the State’s 172 miles of on- and off-road bike routes across the island. Approximately 24 percent of the state’s highways on Long Island, including most non-interstate and non-parkway roads, accommodate cyclists.
“The New York State Department of Transportation is about more than roads and
bridges,” Commissioner Joan McDonald said. “Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership on smart growth and sustainable development reinforces the critical role bicycle paths play in our multi-modal transportation system. We’re pleased to partner with the State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in expanding opportunities for cyclists and pedestrians, and encouraging them to enjoy all the natural beauty Long Island has to offer this summer.”
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey said, “Transportation and recreation often go hand in hand. With 18 miles of new multi-use paths, cyclists, runners, hikers and others will have even more opportunities to get out and explore Long Island’s beautiful landscape. I am grateful to Commissioner McDonald and the state Department of Transportation for their partnership in creating these tremendous new resources for safe and healthy recreation.”
Commissioners McDonald and Harvey were joined by bike enthusiasts and elected officials at the planned Ocean Parkway Jones Beach Bike Access Project site in Hempstead, Nassau County, and at two locations where multi-use paths are under construction: the Bethpage State Park Bikeway Expansion Project site in Oyster Bay, Nassau County, and the Setauket-Port Jefferson Multi-Use Path Project site in Brookhaven, Suffolk County. Combined, the three represent an estimated $11.5 million investment this year in new paths for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles on Long Island.
Ocean Parkway-Jones Beach Access Multi-Use Path, Hempstead
The commissioners started their day in Hempstead at the proposed Ocean Parkway-Jones Beach Access Multi-Use Path, which will provide a vital 0.7 mile connection between the end of the 7.5-mile Wantagh State Parkway Multi-Use Path and the Jones Beach State Park East Bath House. It will be constructed through the Jones Beach Theater parking area to the pedestrian underpass, where new storage will be provided for 100 bicycles. The project contract is scheduled to be let this fall, with construction completed next spring at a cost of approximately $1 million.
State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. said, “Many residents from all across Long Island ride, run, and walk on the Wantagh Parkway Bike Path every single day. This project will give them greater access to Jones Beach, which is the crown jewel of the state parks system, and provide a critical link to the planned Ocean Parkway Bike Path. I’m pleased New York State is making this investment to improve the bike path for all who use it.”
Assemblyman Dave McDonough said, “I am pleased that the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have come together to extend the bike path at beautiful Jones Beach which will have numerous benefits to our residents by increasing mobility and accessibility through Jones Beach Park by bicycle and increasing the health benefits of bicycling.”
Bethpage State Park Multi-Use Path Extension, Oyster Bay
The commissioners also viewed construction under way on the Bethpage State Park Multi-Use Path Extension in Oyster Bay. The project is extending the path six miles from a picnic area, through Trail View State Park to Woodbury Road. The existing path dates to the 1970s. An additional 2.4-mile on-road bike-access way is also being provided.
This project includes enhancements to a remnant of the original Long Island Motor Parkway and the installation of information kiosks, destination signs and new park-and-bike lots. The $6.5 million bikeway extension is being constructed by the United Fence and Guard Rail Corporation of Ronkonkoma under contract with NYSDOT.
State Senator Kemp Hannon said, “Trails and greenways make our communities more livable, preserve and restore open space, and provide opportunities for physical activity to improve fitness and mental health.”
State Senator Carl L. Marcellino said, “Extending the trail way to the Syosset Railroad Station is an environmentally sound way to move people around Long Island. When someone decides to ride a bike to work, they open up room on our congested road system. And, of course, cyclists produce no pollution, add little wear to our roads and are also improving their personal health as they ride. This is a win-win for everybody.”
Assemblyman Charles Lavine said, “The Bethpage Parkway Bike Path Extension will create a safer path for both experienced and recreational cyclists. This new extension will encourage more Long Islanders to use their bikes and will enhance the vitality of the community as a whole.”
Assemblyman Joseph Saladino said, "New York State residents have always embraced the environment and outdoor recreation. I hope that everyone will take an opportunity to use this trail. I know they will enjoy it."
Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs said, “This is a very important step toward alleviating our dependence on cars by giving people a safer alternative way to get to their destination.”
Mickey Miller, president of the Old Bethpage Citizens Advisory Group, said, “On behalf of the Old Bethpage Citizens Advisory Group, my thanks to the DOT for giving Long Island a world class bike path.”
Setauket to Port Jefferson Multi-Use Path, Brookhaven
Finally, the commissioners went to Brookhaven to tour the site of the Phase II extension of the popular Setauket to Port Jefferson Multi-Use Path. Construction there is scheduled to begin in August and be completed in May 2014.
This $3.4 million, two-mile extension will provide a safe, accessible, non-motorized path between residential, recreational and retail areas between NY Route 25A in Setauket and NY Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station. Porous concrete is being used to facilitate drainage in a new parking field, and information kiosks and new path signs are being installed. Boulders from the property are being reused and placed to prevent ATVs from accessing the path. Two new traffic signals are being provided at Gnarled Hollow Road to enhance safety there for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
Congressman Tim Bishop said, “With the completion of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway, federal funds I secured will continue to enhance our North Shore communities for decades to come. I appreciate the work of everybody who has supported this outstanding resource for bikers, hikers, and nature lovers.”
Senator Ken LaValle said, "The Setauket to Port Jefferson Multi-Use Path will provide a recreational trail that offers a safe venue for bike riders and hikers to enjoy the great outdoors and the beauty of Long Island’s north shore."
Charlie McAteer, chair of the Friends of the Greenway said, “The Friends of the Greenway acknowledge the great cooperation with the federal, state, county and town governments in the creation of the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Multi-Use trail. This path is already considered a jewel, tying our two communities together while providing alternative transportation to gas-powered vehicles. Our neighborhood is a better place for the foresight of this Greenway project, the governmental officials who funded it, and NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald and her hard working staff.”
Virtually every state road on Long Island features some accommodation for bicycling, except for high-volume highways and parkways where bicycling is prohibited. One particularly picturesque example is the Montauk Highway/NY Route 27, a 37-mile-long, signed, on-road bike route between Southampton and the Montauk Lighthouse. Another is NY Route 114, a three-mile signed bike route between Shelter Island and Sag Harbor, which includes a tranquil ferry ride.
Copies of the Long Island Bikeways map and additional information regarding Long Island bike facilities may be obtained at www.511ny.org/rideshare/rideshare.aspx?FolderID=149. General information about cycling in New York State is available at www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle.
Thursday, July 05, 2012
Celebration Summer with New Infrastructure!!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Erie Canal Adventure
What the video should have told you about were some of our more unanticipated accommodation challenges, like the beds at Pink Fountain Motor Inn East (Depew), the lack of toilet paper at the Palatine Motel (Palatine Bridge) or fishing the copperhead snake out of the stove at Hal & Betty's on the last night.
One screamed - Ken - and other two musketeers - Ken & Steve - evicted ...
Thanks to all of you for your support for our efforts!
I am sure Carla and I will be back to see more of this corner of the world.
[click on photos on the right to see more of Mike's photography]
Friday, May 25, 2012
Scenarios for Comsewogue Schools c/o Port Jefferson Patch
After failing to pass by the needed supermajority, Comsewogue School District is reworking its budget to fit within the allowable state tax cap. That means a budget that does not increase the tax levy more than 2.6 percent, trimming about $2.9 million.
A major money saver in the new budget will be to reorganize the four elementary schools into what is known as the Princeton Plan. Under this reorganization, each school is no longer composed of grades K through 5 but are grouped to hold entire class grades with students “graduating” to another building midway through their elementary school careers.
Reconfiguring the elementary school buildings into the Princeton Plan.
The Princeton Plan calls for:
- Going from four grade K - 5 buildings to two grade K-2 buildings (Norwood and Clinton) and two grade 3-5 buildings (Boyle and Terryville)
- Moving all grade K-2 students from Boyle to Norwood and all grade 3-5 students from Norwood to Boyle
Average elementary class sizes are significantly reduced:
- K to 2nd grade class size average: 23
- 3rd to 5th grade class size average: 26
For many families, the plan effectively ends the convenience of having an elementary school close to home where a child can attend Kindergarten (and in some cases even pre-school) all the way to 5th grade without ever changing buildings. Concerns about transportation and how children will be able to handle the transition into a new school also came up.
The reorganization of elementary schools hung over the heads of a lot of parents who supported the 4.5 percent budget that failed on May 15. Some have vowed that they will not support the alternative budget if the Princeton Plan is a part of it.
“I won't vote yes for any budget that includes the Princeton Plan,” one commenter wrote on Patch.
Nevertheless, it seems a forgone conclussion that the Princeton Plan is going to be a major portion of the new budget to save the district money.
In 2011, the Island Trees School District in Levittown reorganized its elementary schools to cut money from its budget. Superintendent Charles Murphy said that it saved his school district about $500,000 per year.
“The parents were very supportive and the teachers have now come around to it as well,” Murphy said in an email to Patch.
He said that the students haven’t been affected by the change either.
“They don’t notice any difference since they’re in their classrooms and grade levels all day,” he said.
In the case of Island Trees, the district merged two elementary schools that were already on the same campus so kids didn’t have to travel far from home to attend a new school.
Still, to ease the transition from one school to the other, the district came up with ideas like having students visit their new school to give them a tour beforehand and asking the PTA to organize special events and orientations to make it more of a positive experience for kids, faculty and families.
Not all parents in Comsewogue are against the plan.
Christa Yamanita said that she has seen the plan in action and thinks it has some good points. Among them are setting the schools on an even playing field.
“As we have all seen here there have been discrepancies from school to school in library services, information distribution and parent involvement,” she said. “Since all the kids of each grade level will be in the same place they will all get equal services.”
She also likes the fact that students will be with similar aged kids making community learning better and cutting down on bullying. Yamanita also thinks that grouping all the students into one building for each grade will help foster relationships across the neighborhoods both between the kids and their families.
Change can be scary for parents of children in elementary school who will have to get used to a new way of looking at it but she says that in time they will get used to it.
“Bottom line, if we all were introduced to this program when Kindergarten started we wouldn't be batting at eye at the school changing every few years,” she said. “It would just be how it is and we would be fine with it.”
Other Highlights of the 2.6 Percent Budget:
- The district budget is below the Tax Cap requiring a simple majority to pass
- Average cost to homeowner: $185.00 per year
- Secondary class size average: 25 (based on enrollment and course selection)
- Continuation of a complete extracurricular and athletic program
- Continuation of security services
- Impact of Budget Failure:
- Kindergarten or half day Kindergarten
- Close an elementary school
- Class sizes will be increased to contractual maximum
- Reconfiguration of remaining 3 buildings (Similar to Princeton Model)
- No extracurricular activities
- No athletic programs
- No security
- Severe reductions of electives on the secondary level
- No evening activities
- No community use of the buildings
School Funding Matters
Edu-Tourist (Michael L. Dorn)
Byline: Port Jefferson Station, NY
Story: Administrators at three local school districts - Mt. Sinai, Comsewogue, and Three Village - are reconsidering their options after their budgets failed to meet the rigorous standard for approval (60%) in this year's elections. Each presented voters budget increases higher than the 6.2% cap set by Gov. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Friday, April 06, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Reimaginging the City
There are many cities besides the one that visitors glimpse through the lens of the guided tour. Old American cities like Philadelphia repay multiple visits and an openness to serendipity. On my quick visit yesterday I had time to kill before visiting with a potential masters student for a lunchtime chat. Following my geographical instincts, I happened upon Washington Square, renowned for its role as a publishing mecca - on the east side once can admire the ornate facade of J. B. Lippincott. Today there is much discussion of regreening the city as a strategy to fight climate change. Part of the solution is reimagining parks like Washington Square can be found in their history - perhaps we can find direction for the future cacooned in our collective past?
Sign reads:
"In the 17th century, when the Square first appeared in the city plan, streams drained into a deep gully in front of you. Then, beginning in 1833, geometric paths invited visitors into a leveled square planted with hundreds of trees.
"By 1846, Washington Square, with its seats, lamps and ornamental fences, had dramatically changed from the “offensive nuisance” of the 18th century into “a beautiful and fashionable promenade” where adults strolled and children played marbles.
"In 1853, American landscape architect Andrew Jackson Dowling’s Rural Essays praised Washington Square, reporting that it had 'more well grown specimens of different species of forest trees than any similar space of ground in America'."
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Stony Brook U.: sustainable living?
I'm looking forward to learning more about green initiatives on the Stony Brook University campus. Perhaps it is because I work in the bowels of the Health Sciences Center, but it takes a lot for information to filter down to me. The website is helpful but wish there was an event were I could get some of my questions answered - like whose roof garden was that I stumbled upon over the summer?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Memories of Edinburgh
This image took me back fourteen years to my first days in Edinburgh. If I remember correctly, all of the new exchange students were delivered by bus to their various residences throughout the city. After getting settled at Rankin House, I took the few days before classes began to explore my local environment. The neighborhood around Edinburgh Castle was one of my favorite haunts. I enjoyed this view down Victoria Street several times a week, and even today I occasionally return to Edinburgh in my dreams.
Reconstruction of the Fables
The times that are a'changin:
1. Resignation of Temple University President Ann Weaver Hart, moving to Utah to care for her ailing mother.
2. Resignation of Stony Brook Medical Center Chief Executive Dr. Steven Strongwater.
3. News of the official breakup of classic 80s college radio band R.E.M.
Via Flickr:
This is the original Columbia Bicycle advertisement that was adopted by the Athens, GA rock group R.E.M. in promotional materials for their Fables of the Reconstruction album and tour.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Coming to the street near you
We are looking forward to quieter evenings now that the rambunctious youth of Port Jefferson Station are being redirected back to the life of the mind. We will see how long that lasts ;-)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Passaic River
Hurricane Irene Aftermath: Submerged Jitney Buses in Paterson, New Jersey, a photo by jag9889 on Flickr.
In the summer of 1991 I worked for a week with a Habitat for Humanity affliate in Paterson, New Jersey. I was struck by the ethnic diversity of this post-industrial city and by the awesome natural setting of the falls that gave birth America's first planned industrial development.
Unfortunately the Passaic River flows out of the most rugged mountains in the state, and in the case of Hurricane Irene can cause tremendous destruction to lives and property. Check out jag 9889 for more of the shocking evidence.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
reflections over an early morning cup of jo
Via Flickr:
Location: Bagels "N" a Hole Lot More
650 Patchogue Road, Port Jefferson Station, New York
This was our family's first major tropical storm. Carla, my wife, has been on service at the Stony Brook Medical Center all week. She came in early to help out with storm preparation.
And now that the storm has moved through we are dealing with some of the impacts of shifted activity patterns. Carla expects to see influx of patients to the hospital over the next week or so - folks who stayed away during the hurricane are now coming into Emergency with a wide variety of complaints and challenges.
Our neighborhood was largely spared - we live in Port Jefferson Station where the power went out early (5:00 am) but the few trees and limbs that went down were quickly removed. At this point it is anyone's guess how long it is going to take for LIPA to get a handle on things.
I went out to Bagels "N" A Hole Lot More in Port Jefferson Station for breakfast (excellent as always) and was treated to some pathetic stories of crossed lines of authority snarling response to downed wires in Stony Brook. Finally, this DOT employee had to turn to an emergency response team that had come up from Louisiana to take care of things. We of course could use more assistance of this sort, but communities upstate and in New England are facing much more dire circumstances.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Visitor from the Tropics
Hurricane Irene Viewed From Google Earth Weather Satellite (8-27-11), a photo by 54StorminWillyGJ54 on Flickr.
Last year Carla and I visited Jamaica's Southeast Coast over the U.S. Labor Day Weekend. We were lucky to make it down to celebrate out 10th anniversary in a country we have grown to love, since Air Jamaica canceled the flight we were originally booked on. Earl turned out to be a disappointment last year. Long Island Power Authority laid out millions of dollars stationing advance teams for cleanup, but the storm dissipated before reaching New York.
This year we have another visitor from the tropics. Carla and I will be on the ground - Carla working at Stony Brook University Medical Center and Mike acting as an amateur videographer. Follow the latest news on our flickr stream.
image note:
Category 1 Hurricane Irene off the East Coast as of Saturday, August 27, 2011 at around 3:15 p.m.
Image via Google Earth Weather Satellite.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Litter Free Philadelphia Campaign
imagine these sidewals as the art of our hands
envision these blocks as our sacred land.
one man's trash scars another person's treasure
but one thoughtful action makes a community better
this is our Earth with its beautiful body
this is our city with its beautiful face
Via Flickr:
Thoughtful campaign to present a cleaner, litter free environment for visitors to Philadelphia. These shots were taken at the SEPTA trolley station near City Hall.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Reconnecting to place
Working at Stony Brook University's Health Sciences Center is both a joy and a challenge. My office is a windowless bunker in the bowels of the complex, but only a few steps away one finds this wonderful expanse of roof terrace gardens. Unfortulately, few of hospital employees take responsibility for these exterior spaces. Their experience is more abstract - what we need to promote is an ethos of appreciation as well as a variety of practices of care. One small example that could be built upon is the small garden I discovered (visible from this same location if you were to rotate 180 degrees). I would love to know who started this garden and to what purpose its produce is directed.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Advertisement for Bluepoints Company, Inc.
Though originally named for Blue Point, Long Island, where this oyster is said to have been first found, "bluepoint oyster" is now used as a general term referring to any of many small Atlantic oysters from 2 to 4 inches long. They are considered the best for eating on the half shell.
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/bluepoint-oyster#ixzz1UMQFVB2d
Saturday, April 09, 2011
New Historical Marker for Setauket Village Green
If the cars speeding down Main Steet can slow down long enough, they will learn that the Setauket Village Green was site of first settlement in the Town of Brookhaven (April 15, 1655) and was involved in the Battle of Setauket (August 22, 1777). Setauket Presbyterian Church and Caroline Episcopal Church jointly own and maintain the green. Last October, the Historic Preservation Committee of Setauket Presbyterian Church held a very successful commemoration of the 350 years of worship in Setauket which in 1660 was the largest settlement in the Town of Brookhaven. One of the rebels to fight in the Battle of Setauket, Nathaniel Green, came back to the village after the war to find it in a sorry "state of wretchedness." He rallied local residents to rebuild the church, renovate the cemetery and recreate a sense of community amongst a people whose nerves had been frayed through years of military occupation and, for many, exile across the Long Island Sound in Connecticut. The church was razed by fire several times during Rev. Nathaniel Green's tenure. The current church structure was dedicated in 1812, so the Historic Preservation Committee is now planning to "rededicate" the church on its 200th birthday! Watch this photostream for updates.
I still have many of the photographs that were take at that church's 350 Celebration and have to decide how to make use of them. One idea is to create a video - much longer than the one that appeared on Three Village Patch yet building on the effortless way that it shares the storyline of the day.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ira Costell at today's meeting of the SPC Historic Preservation Committee. Mr. Costell filled us in in on the history of the Long Island North Shore Heritage Area [LINSHA] and the current initiative to commemorate George Washington's Culper Spy Ring with driving tour signs and audio description. This sounds like a wonderful idea, and I am wondering if there might not be ways for photographers with interest in historic landscapes and historic preservation to help out. Assuming that Session (comprised of SPC church elders) approves, we will soon see another historic marker on the green that connects to audio description of the role that the church and its members played to support the Revolutionary War effort.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Town Hall - Town of Highlands, New York
Via Flickr:
I returned to Highland Falls to contest the ticket I received during my fall visit shortly after taking these photographs: Palisades Parkway; Death Head.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Long Island Greenbelt Trail at State Route 111
Via Flickr:
This photograph was taken during a hike led by Shari on the central portion of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail. The hike on Marsh 19, 2011 was sponsored by the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, a group of volunteers across Long Island who enjoy outdoor activities and look after an extensive trail network.This past month I have been enjoying many different opportunities to explore the island. As suggested by this post to Three Village Patch, activities organized by local hiking and biking clubs can, with a little bit of advance planning, become photowalks, where folks not only share their impressions during the event, but continue the conversation on social networking platforms like flickr, twitter or facebook. To learn more, join the Long Island Photowalk group on flickr - link - and join us for one of our monthly events!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Field Report: Soldiers & Sailors Preserve from the Edison Tower
Under Amtrak NE Corridor
uploaded by Edu-Tourist
The State of New Jersey owns 102 acres of parkland/preserves in the Menlo Park section of Edison. The parcels are located in the Southern Branch of the Rahway River watershed. When combined with the County owned Roosevelt Park, and an Edison Township parcel, there are 344 acres in this watershed that are preserved.
Our tour, led by Walter Stochel and Kyle, a local scout, began at the Edison Memorial Tower - photo - at the corner of Christie Street and Tower Road. This 131' tall monument was built at the exact location of Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory. Unmarked for many years, the Tower is now on the National Register of Historic Places and features a number of descriptive markers - 1 + 2. The tower will be undergoing restoration next year and the museum reopened after the removal of asbestos insulation. The undeveloped land you see around here is the 36-acre Edison State Park.
The tour began with some discussion of the significance of the Edison Tower - image. We then walked down Tower Road, which was originally called Woodbridge Avenue, to Frederick Street. Some of the houses we passed on the left were State owned (and rented). Following the path down to the ball field, recently cleaned up as part of a Boy Scout Eagle project, and through the woods to the west, we spied Carmen's Pond - photo & description. The Carmen family owned land in Menlo Park, and Wiliam Carmen was Edison's secretary. The pond is loaded with wildlife, ducks, geese, turtles, and fish.
Forming into a tight group, we scrambled through brush along the edge of Rt. 27 (the historic Lincoln Highway) to a new crosswalk, installed in response to local advocacy. Kyle pushed the button and the light changed so that we could cross the busy highway unmolested. Proceeding down the sidewalk, we soon arrived at a recently-improved and repainted underpass. Here the group stopped and listened to the story of how 50 Cub Scouts frustrated a succession of graffiti artists to reclaim this space. As you can see from the inset photo, the rusticated surface was very attractive with the shiny new coat of reddish brown paint.
Heading further south, we again stopped to view the forest on the west side of North Evergreen Road. These woods sit on a rugged 17-acre parcel that at one time was offered to developers but instead was bought by the State of New Jersey and Edison Township to be included in the Soldiers and Sailors Preserve. It is now managed by the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust. This is a mostly wooded upland tract, now a protected wetland.
Crossing over the South Branch of the Rahway River, we entered a large wooded parcel to the left. the 49-acre main parcel of the Soldiers and Sailors Preserve. Small streams and ditches cross this property. Isolated without parking access, it has been used over the years for children't play and shelter for homeless people. In the 1980s, the State of New Jersey entered a contract to sell this parcel to a developer who wanted to build a 26-story hotel/office/parking complex on the site. In the 200s, the sale was canceled and the property was transfered to the NJ Natural Lands Trust for preservation.
There are no marked trails in this preserve. We walked east through the site, and then south towards the railroad, until, after spotting the skeleton head of a deer, we finally ended up at a wide ditch. This was the end of our trail, and we retraced our steps. Taking a different route to the road, we ran across an old rusted children's toy that may have dated back to the 1950s and several trees that showed evidence of damage from rutting deer - image.
All in all, it was an excellent two-hour adventure into a rugged and natural bit of New Jersey. It is hard to believe that such beauty survives in the middle of the most extensively urbanized state in the country. These tours are held year-round:
#6 Saturday, November 6, 2010, from 9:00 am - 12 noon
Annual Menlo
Park School Nature Trail Cleanup
Meet: Menlo Park School parking lot, on
Monroe Avenue and Edison
#7 Sunday, November 14, 2010, from 10:00 am - 12 noon
Stevens Preserve
from Petti Lane
150 acres of wood to walk in
Meet: End of Petti Lane, Edison
#8 Date and time to be announced
Annual Greenway Hike
#9 Sunday, November 28, 2010, from 10 am - 12 noon
Millbrook parcel on Mill Road
Hike beside the Mill Brook on a slate
ridge.
Meet: End of Mill Road off of Old Post Road, at the New Jersey
Turnpike
#10 Sunday, December 5, 2010, 10am
Oak Ridge Park, located in both Edison and Clark Township
Any easy hike on paved roads - includes Ash Swamp
Meet: Parking lot off Featherbed Lane, in Edison
More information on these hikes can be found on the Township of Edison website - flier.
