Open Space Committee Talks Trails at Dawson

At its meeting Thursday at the municipal building, the Open Space committee discussed developing existing unimproved trails at Camp Dawson into more improved trails that can be used by township residents.

"We should identify the trails and sort of legitimatize them," Adam Brewer, the township's liaison to the committee, said. "These trails loop behind the fields and picnic area."

Committee co-chair Maritza Byrne said the township is planning to submit an application to the state for trail development. Under the application, the township would receive a grant of $13,500 for trail development. The township would put up $7,000 toward the application, with the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions putting up the remaining $6,500. Deadline for the application, Byrne said, is Dec. 15.

"We need to move quickly on this," Byrne said. "We don't have much time to get this application in."

Brewer said the application can be written up and submitted by the deadline.

Committee members also agreed to walk the Camp Dawson trail network this Sunday, prior to presenting a proposal to the township committee at Tuesday night's meeting.

Committee member Vincent Zigarelli said he has been walking the Dawson trails for more than 15 years.

"They are easily walkable," he said. "It's a high and even path through brush and trees."

Zigarelli said the committee should start the trail network by improving the Dawson trails before developing trails elsewhere in the township.

"We should start with what we have," he said.

Brewer said a small parking area near the trails would need to be created.

"When the fields are in use, there is no place to park," Brewer said.

"This would be great for the people of Montville Township who are not hikers, but want a place to walk," Byrne said.

On a related matter, the committee agreed to look at other undeveloped areas in the township where trails can be developed. The committee was to meet with the Morris County Land Conservancy in December to discuss the matter, but the Conservancy backed out of the meeting, Byrne said, citing it was not prepared.

"That concerns me," Byrne said. "I want to get something concrete going on this. Our goal is to draft some type of trail network."

Board members agreed to cancel their December meeting and hold two meetings in January 2011, one with the Conservancy.