Recreation Committee to Begin Year-Long Exploration of Open Space

The mission before them is an ambitious one.

The eight members of the Washington Township Recreation Committee, and the two members of the Open Space Committee, will be traversing one third of the Township's 45 square miles in the coming year to consider how its designated open space could be utilized in keeping with State Department of Environmental Protection rules.

While the Recreation Committee met Monday, Oct. 4 to discuss a range of issues, the daunting task of reviewing the 15 square miles of the Township's open space to make recommendations for future use was at the top of the list.

Recreation Commmittee Chairman Mary McArdle said the assessment process is going to take at least a year. Some of the ideas that are being explored include: deer hunting, a community and giving garden, hiking trails, camping, and airplane clubs, and disc golf (which is played with a Frisbee).

McArdle said the committee is eager to receive suggestions from the public for how the Open Space can be utilized. "A lot of the land is either under water or  designated wetlands," said McArdle. "So there will be limits to what it can be used for."

Deborah Burd, Washington Township Assistant Administrator, said the Township Committee will be discussing the options for open space use including the possibility for renting it out to hunting clubs at the next working session on October 13.  The session is open for questions and comments from the public.

She pointed out that while some may be opposed to using the land for deer hunting, Washington Township now holds the record for the highest number of deer-related auto accidents in Morris County. "The primary purpose of opening up the land for hunting would be to thin the herds," said Burd.

Mike Jeske, chairman of the Open Space Committee is excited about the possibility of expanding the trail system throughout the township and the construction of a Disc Golf Course that he said would be cost-efficient and have the least impact on the land and the surrounding residents.

Disc Golf is played with a Frisbee-like disc that is targeted for a basket. There are 18 baskets set around a course, similar to golf. The difference aside from the size of the objects thrown and the target is that a Disc Golf course needs very little maintenance, according to Jeske. He said a course could be built for less than $10,000 and could easily be maintained by volunteers.

"Now that the open space inventory has been completed, phase two will consist of visiting all of the land, characterizing it, and considering the best use," said Jeske.

Currently there is only one other member, Michael Goodhand, who is serving on the Open Space Committee. A third member is expected to be approved by the Township Committee in the coming weeks. 

Plenty on the table

Other topics discussed at the session included the Long Valley Dog Park and a request from Steven Smith for help from the Township to maintain the parking lot. He also expressed the need for more volunteers for the Dog Park that currently has 137 member dogs.

The agenda also included an update from a new township employee, Paige Urban, Senior Program Coordinator for Washington Township. Urban gave an overview of  the upcoming events for seniors that include: Octoberfest on October 20; a traditional Tea Party on November 1; a Thanksgiving Celebration on November 18; and a Holiday Lunch on December 10. 

Urban said currently there are 40 to 50 seniors who actively participate in activities at the center. For special events, 75 to 100 seniors generally attend.