Although Plainsboro has already preserved some 50 percent of the township as open space, more is always welcome. ##M:[more]## In a cooperative effort between Princeton University, Plainsboro and South Brunswick townships, 127 acres of land in the historic Princeton Nursery property has been donated by the university to the two townships for open space.
“It is really a remarkable accomplishment,” says Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu. “A public-private partnership requires some skill and is very difficult. I’ve been involved before in these and am familiar with the intricacies.”
In addition to the university donation, the state Department of Environmental Protection has acquired 60 acres from Princeton Nurseries at a cost of nearly $2.8 million. The donation is a part of an initiative by the state Green Acres program to preserve 187 acres of open space. It will manage a seven acre portion of the nursery property as an addition to the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.
Based on Mapleton road in Plainsboro and South Brunswick townships, Princeton Nurseries began operations in 1911 and was once the largest commercial nursery business in the country.
In its 93 years of operation, it introduced a number of plant varieties including the Princeton Elm and the Snow Queen Hydrangea.
Since the establishment of Princeton Forrestal Center in the 1970s and the university’s acquisition of lands from Princeton Nurseries in 1986, the university has preserved over 650 acres of open space in Plainsboro and South Brunswick. Some 26 acres of the parcel donated by the university are located in Plainsboro. The tract is bounded by Mapleton and Ridge roads.
In addition to the land, Princeton University has committed $100,”000 toward the development of the preservation plan. It will be used along with $300,”000 endowment provided by the former landowner and other funds from South Brunswick and the DEP to devise plans for the rehabilitation of the nursery buildings for public education and recreation.
“All parties are to be congratulated for the cooperation and effort that resulted in this significant addition in preserved open space,” said Cantu. “It represents an important accomplishment for the entire Central Jersey region.”
