Activity Report
October and November 2002

• The Hatfield Swamp:

  Several members have shown interest in fighting for further preserving more of the surrounding area. We need to coordinate our efforts with the newly-elected County Executive and bring together the county's municipal open space trust funds to purchase more open space in the county.

• Seton Hall Prep

  Ready to cut down a major Old Forest Growth of 20+ acres at their athletic fields on Prospect Avenue. Green West Orange Group begins to research the land in peril and have found historical and environmental jewels hidden inside the tract. Home to several bird species and old trees up to two hundred years old.

  The thought of losing this treasure is enough of a threat to begin a fight against this development even though Seton Hall Prep owns the property.

• Open Space Threatened

  The Town of West Orange wants to build a parking lot on a small piece of garden so that the neighbors can have relief on their streets.

  Parking is at a premium but it should not be at the expense of eliminating an activity several residents have found in the Community Gardens. After West Orange resident have voted for an extra tax to help preserve open space, here the town wants to pave over space already preserved. The gardens are situated behind the W.O. First Aid Station on Pt. Pleasant Ave.

• West Orange

  Several fights to preserve open space in West Orange have reached critical status. The Kean Estate was lost to development recently after the town's council voted for a conditional use zone changing ordinance with Councilman Kevin Keogh giving the sole dissenting vote- this may set a precedent for other developers to trade land for allowance to build more of their cluster townhouses.

• Dawn Breeden, the Group's EJ Issues Coordinator, is providing quarterly programs on lead-based paint. Also, volunteers are continuing to work projects to improve the old County Environmental Center in Roseland. If you'd like to volunteer to help fix up the Center, please call Dave Ogens at: 973-226-7107.