Central Delaware River, WMA 11

A Greenbelt for Frenchtown

The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance (HLTA) preserved over 150 acres of significant watershed land in the Borough of Frenchtown, New Jersey. This parcel represents one of the last remaining large tracts of land in Frenchtown and is a critical component of the borough’s plan to create a greenbelt that would surround the town by linking existing preserved properties. Preservation of this property and others within the proposed greenbelt will:

• Enhance the small village character of Frenchtown;

• Protect significant water resources, including the borough’s wellhead protection area, and the Nishisakwick Creek and its tributaries, category I waters;

• Protect significant species habitat, including cedar forest and high, open meadows;

• Preserve the view-shed of Route 29, the state’s first Scenic Byway; and

• Provide for passive recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
  
  

The Frenchtown Greenbelt property consists of open farm fields and mixture of cedar and hardwood forest with frontage on state Route 29.  The Nishisakwick Creek runs along the entire northern boundary of the property and several tributaries traverse it.  The Nishisakwick is classified as a Category I stream by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which means it has the highest water quality classification.  This property has long been a closely-held secret destination for locals interested in hiking and nature observation and is a place of significance in the hearts of many long time residents of the community.

The property is zoned in the R-6 zone of Frenchtown Borough, which allows for high density residential development. However, the zone requires a minimum of 150 acres to develop at this density hence two separate owners were marketing several properties as an assemblage.  The property has attracted interest from developers, given the zoning and opportunity for high density development.  With the passage of the Highlands Bill, this property attracted increased attention as development opportunities in the nearby Highlands region become more limited.

The Frenchtown Greenbelt presented a unique opportunity to preserve and protect a large tract of land which would otherwise be developed for high density housing, detrimentally impacting the traffic demands on Route 29 and smaller roads within the Borough, as well as the significant natural resources present on the property.

Thanks to Hunterdon Land Trust's efforts, the Frenchtown Greenbelt is now owned by the NJDEP Division of Parks and Forestry and managed as part of the adjacent Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park.  HLTA and Frenchtown have agreed to partner with the state to assist with management of the property for passive recreational use.

Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance put together an incredible funding partnership to permanently protect the Frenchtown Greenbelt.  The following is a detailed list of the partners and their financial contributions:

• NJ Department of Transportation, T-21 Program             
• NJDOT, Scenic byway program                                           
• NJDEP Green Acres state direct funding                             
• HLTA Green Acres grant                                                     
• HLTA Hunterdon County Open Space Trust Fund grant      
• HLTA New Jersey Conservation Loan Fund Loan (bridge loan)
• Frenchtown Borough Green Acres Grant/Loan                    

$1,000,000

$300,000

$1,312,000

$379,000

$400,000

$50,000

$709,000