BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF PASCACK PRESS
PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J.—If you live in Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake, or Park Ridge, it may soon be time to put on your walking shoes.
On April 2, the Watershed Property Review Board—a state agency that regulates land uses around reservoirs—conditionally approved Suez Water’s three-borough Nature Trail that stretches around the eastern border of Suez’s Woodcliff Lake Reservoir with a scenic 1.5-mile walking path.
No timetable for the trail’s possible opening was immediately available as all three towns must install security measures required by Suez before the trail opens.
The proposal for a walking path around the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir began almost 10 years ago when public officials in Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake started talks with United Water (now Suez) to develop a trail around the reservoir.
The Nature Trail proposal—prepared by the three towns and Suez—was endorsed by the towns over a year ago, but the initial licensing agreement between Suez and the towns was proposed three years ago to the state review board.
Before that, public officials worked hand in hand with Suez and pushed hard for a nature trail encircling the reservoir.
‘A lot of moving parts’
“I’m ecstatic. We’ve been working a long time for this to come about. There’s been a lot of moving parts,” Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo told Pascak Press.
Rendo said earlier this year he had hoped the trail effort would be approved and Woodcliff Lake residents would finally get to enjoy the lake their town is named for.
Previously, Rendo praised former Councilwoman Kristy Herrington’s years-long effort to advocate for the nature trail.
In approving the trail, which was the last regulatory hurdle the proposal needed to pass, the Watershed Property Review Board set five specific conditions for the two-year Nature Trail pilot program.
Five conditions set
The conditions include notifying the board if Suez plans to continue after its two-year pilot program, including notifications at each of three one-year extensions.
Also included are restrictions on widening the trails, adherence to conditions outlined in NJDEP’s approval letter, a revised conservation easement from Park RIdge to NJDEP, and advance notice if any facilities are proposed on the trail.
The nature trail, when constructed and open, would initially be a two-year pilot program, with options for three one-year extensions from Suez, notes the licensing agreement signed by Suez and three municipalities.
The agreement notes Suez will meet bi-monthly on trail issues and will determine after two years whether to extend the program.
DEP OK’d trail in October
A next-to-last regulatory hurdle was overcome in October 2018 when the state Department of Environmental Protection approved the planned 20-foot-wide nature walking trail, after reviewing whether the proposal met conditions of a 2009 conservation easement agreed to by Suez.
DEP’s approval letter notes the Conservation Easement protecting the watershed property stresses the importance of using the land for “passive and active recreation” including “public access and recreational uses.” The state agency cited eight conditions required for the nature trail to be built.
These included: obtaining all necessary NJDEP permits; no pavement allowed; any construction areas must be returned to original conditions; any structures built must receive DEP prior approval; DEP maintains all rights to prevent and correct violations of the state conservation easement; insurance indemnification for NJDEP; and notice of any extensions for a two-year pilot program granted by Suez.
The nature trail proposal includes automatic pedestrian gates to open and close on a pre-set schedule; security cameras at all gate locations to be monitored by local police; police patrols of nature trail in all three towns; and garbage/trash collection by each town. Any trail improvements must be approved by Suez and remain Suez’s property without requiring compensation.
Towns pick up costs
All trail costs will be paid by local governments, notes the license agreement, with the nature trail season to commence April 1 and end Nov. 30 when operational.
The approved licensing agreement creating the Nature Trail prohibits dogs or pets of any kind on the trail, as well as bicycles, tricycles, skateboards, hoverboards, roller skates, roller blades, “and/or anything similar” reads the agreement.
Also, motorized vehicles, kites, drones, swimming and picnics are not allowed.
Fishing will be allowed in designated areas only if an individual possesses a valid Suez watershed permit and state fishing license. Suez will enforce fishing regulations, the agreement notes. There is no charge to access the trail and walk the reservoir path.
The agreement notes that Suez retains the right to close the nature trail at any time without notice due to operational needs, low water/drought conditions, fire hazard, high water/flood conditions, and security/homeland security concerns.
Grants uncertain?
Both Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake have received $15,000 state Green Acres grants to make the trails walkable. Hillsdale has also received a $24,000 Green Acres grant to develop its walking trails.
Efforts to reach Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna were not returned by press time.
“I’m glad that it’s officially done,” said Hillsdale Mayor John Ruocco. He said residents will get a great deal of enjoyment from the trail once it opens.
He said all towns need to implement security details such as security gates and cameras as required by the agreement.
“This [approval] is a major hurdle that’s just been cleared,” he said.
Ruocco told Pascack Press April 9 that, due to an audit of NJDEP grants, it appeared the borough may not receive its $24,000 grant made in 2016 to improve Nature Trail paths and it was unclear whether grants received by Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake were also at risk.
Efforts to reach Suez for comment were not returned by press time.