West Windsor has added almost 13 acres to its open space inventory, thanks to residents in Grover’s Mill and the Friends of West Windsor Open Space (FOWWOS).##M:[more]##
FOWWOS recently closed on a 12.68-acre property in the heart of Grover’s Mill, ironically, just in time for the opening of director Steven Spielberg’s new movie “War of the Worlds,” opening Wednesday, June 29.
Grover’s Mill was made famous by Orson Welles’ 1938 radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ science fiction novel “The War of the Worlds,” about a Martian invasion of the earth. The village was identified as the site of the Martian landing in the newscast-like radio play. The broadcast sparked a nationwide panic by people who believed that aliens were really invading the Earth.
“It’s good that we were able to close on the property in case the Martians want to make a return trip to Grover’s Mill,” jokes FOWWOS President Michael Schuit.
Taking on a more serious tone, Schuit explains that the acquisition was especially emotional for him. The property was owned by the late Ron Rogers, a close friend, and FOWWOS co-founder.
“This was probably one of the most satisfying and enjoyable acquisitions I’ve ever been involved in,” says Schuit. “Ron wasn’t only a founder of FOWWOS, he was also very active in protecting West Windsor open space and was an advocate of planting more trees around town.”
Rogers, who died in 1999, is held in such high regard for his efforts that an arboretum, with a monument to Rogers as its centerpiece, was built in his name in 2001 on the Coward tract at the corner of Princeton-Hightstown and Clarksville roads.
The total purchase price of the property was $1.1 million, according to Schuit. “The Rogers family had offers from two developers for more than twice that amount,” Schuit explains. “To their credit, they pursued what I believe Ron would have wanted — saving the property forever as open space.”
Making the acquisition even more special was the fact that residents in the neighborhood around the property donated some $110,”000 to FOWWOS for the purchase of the tract, says Schuit.
The breakdown of funding for the property was $500,”000 from Mercer County, $469,”000 from FOWWOS, $110,”000 from the neighbors, and $150,”000 from a state Green Acres grant. The money paid for the property and other land acquisition costs.
Schuit gave credit to the 12 Grover’s Mill families donating money to the cause. “You have to really pitch in if you want to save whatever open space we have left in this state. I went to the neighbors surrounding the property and they were very generous. It says a lot about the people in that neighborhood.”
Schuit also credited Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes for supporting the county funding for the purchase.
“We also got a lot of technical help and help with donations from the Delaware and Raritan Greenway, especially from trustee Shawn Ellsworth, who grew up in West Windsor and went door to door with me.” Ellsworth was the owner of the Ellsworth’s liquor store and shopping center.
According to Schuit, while Rogers was alive, 9.5 acres was used as a Christmas tree farm where local residents could go and cut down their own trees.
The remaining 3.2 acres is heavily wooded with mostly red maple trees. The Greater Bear Brook also runs through the site. Under the current zoning the property could have been developed with five single-family homes.
“The property has a lot of ecological and historical features that made its preservation critical for the people of West Windsor. It had been visited by presidents Woodrow Wilson and Grover Cleveland,” says Schuit.
After closing, the land was immediately deeded to the township. The property will be used for passive recreation, with nature trails developed with the input of the residents living in the surrounding area, says Schuit. He adds that he would like to see the trails connected to other nearby open space parcels owned by the town.
There is no chance that the tract will be developed will ball fields or playgrounds, Schuit says. “The township’s open space master plan calls for passive use, and the property doesn’t lend itself to active recreation.”
“This purchase is an excellent example of how state agencies, non-profits such as FOWWOS, and members of the community can work together to achieve an end that’s mutually beneficial to all,” says FOWWOS trustee and co-founder Dick Snedeker.
