Princeton Approves Acquisition Of 24.8 Acres Of Vacant Land

PRINCETON, NJ – Council on Monday approved an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of 24.8 acres of vacant land at 660 and 680 Cherry Valley Road.

The property forms part of Princeton’s “emerald necklace” and the municipality considers it to be a valuable connection to Princeton’s publicly-accessible preserved open space.

The negotiated price is $ 1,175,000, with closing costs of approximately $90,000, according to the ordinance.

Several members of the public spoke in favor of the land acquisition. Wendy Mager, President of the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), said the council made a good choice to purchase the land.

Mager told council that according to the NJ department of Environmental Protection’s Mapping for the Change Project, the property is important to wildlife for food, mating and cover. The property is also important to meeting challenges of climate and flood mitigation.

“So, for people, animals and forests that provide environmental services like flood mitigation, these lots are an excellent choice for acquisition, and I support it,” Mager said.

Mark Sullivan, representative of Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart and a member of the Board of Trustees, commended the council on their decision to acquire the land.

“The Academy has been in a rather intense rebuilding process this past year, and we're thrilled to be working with Ridgeview conservancy to grant them an easement along the west side of the property, to work with them on integrating some of the forestry aspects of their world into the Academy's curriculum, and to be able to hopefully access this space,” Sullivan said.

“We will be accessing this forest in the near future, using it as classroom space, but also welcoming other institutions, schools, the public, to come through the property via the easement we're granting on the western side and access the space.”

The Ridgeview Turtles, a group of high school students, emphasized the property's role in the Emerald Necklace of green spaces and its critical habitat for endangered species. The Watershed Institute and a local resident also endorsed the preservation efforts.

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