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BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
A unique 14.4-acre reservoir located just blocks from the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken that provides a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline, will be preserved through a partnership involving the state, the township, neighboring Union City and the state Environmental Infrastructure Trust.
The parties have executed agreements to preserve the reservoir and surrounding land. Under the agreements, Weehawken and Union City will establish a trail around the reservoir for passive recreation.
United Water Co. had owned the reservoir but had not used it for many years. The reservoir, surrounded by a thin strip of land, is located on the border with Union City. The municipalities are among the most densely populated in the nation.
Through its revolving loan program, the Environmental Infrastructure Trust provided Weehawken with an $8.66 million low-interest loan. The loan was critical to making the agreement happen.
The DEP's Green Acres Program also provided a $2 million grant. Both Weehawken and Union City provided $168,000. The Trust for Public Land also played a role in coordinating the purchase.
"The agreement was made possible by the cooperation and vision of all the parties, who recognized and under an accelerated time frame acted upon a rare opportunity to permanently protect open space in the heart of one of the nation's most densely populated areas," DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said. "The people of Weehawken, Union City, Hudson County and the state will benefit greatly from the preservation of the Weehawken Reservoir for generations to come."
"Weehawken and Union City are densely populated, growing, and lacking options for new parks and open space, so this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a new recreational amenity for this community," Anthony Cucchi, Trust for Public Land director, said.
The Green Acres Program has had a hand in protecting some 650,000 acres since the passage of the state's first Green Acres bond act in 1961.
"This keeps a major piece of open space in a densely populated portion of the state available to the public, preserves the character of the surrounding neighborhoods and enhances the quality of life for everyone," Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner said.
