Somerset County Government: Somerset County Acquires 48-Acres Of Open Space

Press release from the Somerset County Government:

09/28/2021 3:43 PM

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ – Recently, Somerset County acquired 48-acres of pristine land on Old Georgetown Road in Franklin Township’s Millstone Valley. The land was purchased from property owner Marcus R. Knowlton for $588,000. Acquisition of the property in the Millstone Valley is a major achievement for the Somerset County Office of Planning, Policy, and Economic Development and the County Open Space Preservation Program since it brings the County closer to meeting the goal of preserving 24,000 acres of land. Currently, the County’s total preserved open space is 14,850 acres.

“The Knowlton property has been on the County’s list as a priority for preservation for at least 20 years, and its acquisition is a major step forward,” said Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano, liaison to the County Open Space Advisory Committee. “This portion of Franklin Township is one of the largest and last pieces of land in the area that needs to be preserved to maintain its pristine and scenic condition.”

In addition to preserving the land, the acquisition of the Millstone Valley area will advance the expansion of the county greenway by facilitating the development of a network of trails that link to other lands in the area preserved through the efforts of state, local and nonprofit entities.

Millstone Valley was initially identified for preservation in 1958 as part of the Somerset County New Jersey "Park and Recreation Plan" originated by Russell Van Nest Black who described the land as a “naturally secluded parklike atmosphere in tree masses and open meadows.” The property also has been noted for its rich geological, botanic, cultural, and historical significance. Years later, the land has remained on the list of prime acquisition sites as outlined in the “Draft Open Space Preservation Plan,” and the “Parks Recreation and Open Space Master Plan 2000 Update.” 

Designated as a “Scenic Byway” by “America’s Scenic Byways,” the Millstone Valley area presents a picturesque view of farmscapes and is surrounded by the historic Delaware & Raritan Canal, which has connections to the Revolutionary War era and early Dutch and American heritage.

Millstone Valley
Millstone Valley is part of a major county preservation initiative located within the larger Millstone River Greenway in southern Franklin Township.  It is primarily wooded and vacant land with areas of open fields and large farms.

Millstone River Greenway
The greenway follows the Millstone River and the Raritan River in Manville to form the western boundary of Franklin Township and is comprised of protected lands with a portion of a 69-mile towpath along the canal that is part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park and managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, and the State Park Service. 

Parks Recreation and Open Space Master Plan 2000 Update
The Master Plan was updated in 2000 by the Somerset County Planning Board and the Park Commission and was adopted as an element of the County Master Plan at that time.  The Plan contains information on land acquisition, recreation programs, facility improvements, administrative and planning initiatives and has a proposed goal of preserving 20,500 acres.

Draft Open Space Preservation Plan
The "Draft Open Space Preservation Plan" is a component of the larger Preservation Plan, which includes the Farmland Preservation Plan and Historic Preservation Plan. The “Draft Open Space Preservation Plan” will be adopted as an element of the Somerset County Master Plan, which is a series of critical elements of county planning that is periodically updated. The Draft Open Space Preservation Plan provides strategies, funding, and partnership opportunities for land and historic preservation in Somerset County.

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This press release was produced by the Somerset County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.