Open space and environment

Dealaman Trail and Pond improvements

Warren appropriated $1,140,160 on August 20, 2026, 5–0, for Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond improvements: a $570,080 Green Acres grant and an equal open space trust fund match. Work is expected in 2027; the grant awaits a legislative appropriation.

Checked against the primary record on . Every figure on this page is sourced at the foot of the article.

Funded, work 2027 Last moved

What happens next

A construction contract would come before the Township Committee at a future meeting; agendas are posted on the Township's AgendaCenter. Dealaman is listed first among trail priorities at the November 9, 2026 public input meeting on the draft open space plan.

On August 20, 2026 the Township Committee adopted Ordinance 26-22, appropriating $1,140,160 for Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond improvements, 5–0: Committeeman McCarey, Committeeman Blick, Committeeman Croson, Deputy Mayor Kian and Mayor Fine all yes. The Committee had introduced it on July 16, 4–0: Committeeman McCarey, Committeeman Blick, Deputy Mayor Kian and Mayor Fine all yes; Committeeman Croson was absent and excused.

Half the money is a state grant: $570,080 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Garden State Preservation Trust under Green Acres Project No. 1820-26-009. The other $570,080 comes from the Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, account 6-03-286-56-2401. The ordinance says the grant-funded portion “shall only be effective after the approval of the applicable legislative appropriation.” No record LocalWhy reviewed confirms that appropriation.

The project scope was presented by a Remington & Vernick Engineers representative. This was at a February 19, 2026 Green Acres hearing. The scope includes rehabilitating deteriorated trail walkways. It also includes regrading the swale from the parking lot to the trails and planting it with native species. Other parts are pond maintenance and light dredging. Two solar-powered aerator pumps will reduce algae blooms. A prefabricated pedestrian bridge will go over the stream feeding the pond. Kiosks at both driveways will be replaced or upgraded. The representative said existing wetlands would be avoided. No new trails would be created. No trees would be removed.

The application was authorized February 19 by Resolution 2026-074, 5–0: Committeeman McCarey, Committeeman Blick, Committeeman Croson, Deputy Mayor Kian and Mayor Fine all yes. The resolution authorized $573,580 toward a $1,147,160 project. The June 2 approval letter recited in the ordinance approved $570,080 toward $1,140,160. Each award and its match sum to the total. The Green Acres agreement, approval letter and project file need a browser; LocalWhy has not reviewed them.

On August 20 the Committee also awarded Remington & Vernick a preliminary assessment contract not to exceed $8,450 (Resolution 2026-226), funded through Ordinance 26-22. The Committee’s page says work “is expected to kick off in 2027”; the draft open space plan says 2027–2028.

Dealaman Trail and Pond, explained

Timeline

Each dated event on this issue, oldest first, linked to the full sourced entry.

  1. Resolved Committee backs the Green Acres application for DealamanAt a Green Acres public hearing, three residents expressed support and a fourth asked about a separate property; the Committee adopted Resolution 2026-074, 5–0, authorizing an application for $573,580 toward a $1,147,160 Dealaman trail and pond project.
  2. Milestone Township reports the $570,080 Dealaman grantCommitteeman Croson reported a $570,080 Green Acres matching grant from NJDEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust for Dealaman Trail and Pond improvements, contingent on legislative appropriation.
  3. Active Ordinance 26-22 introduced for Dealaman improvementsOrdinance 26-22, appropriating $1,140,160 for Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond improvements, was introduced 4–0 with Committeeman McCarey, Committeeman Blick, Deputy Mayor Kian and Mayor Fine voting yes; Committeeman Croson was absent. The public hearing was set for August 20.
  4. Resolved Committee adopts Ordinance 26-22 for Dealaman, 5–0The Committee adopted Ordinance 26-22, 5–0, appropriating $1,140,160 for Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond improvements: a $570,080 Green Acres grant and an equal open space trust fund match.

Explainers

  • Dealaman Trail and Pond, explained

    Warren appropriated $1,140,160 for Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond improvements on August 20, 2026, 5–0: half a Green Acres grant and half open space trust funds. The state share awaits a legislative appropriation.

Documents

The township's own records on this issue. Each links to the official copy.

Meetings

  • Township Committee Regular Meeting

    The Township Committee adopted Ordinance 26-22, the $1,140,160 Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond appropriation, 5–0, and approved a memorandum with Nouvelle, LLC and Pillar Care Continuum for at least 32 affordable units on Stirling Road, 5–0. It introduced a $1,400,000 bond for the Round Top Swim Club purchase and a San Road vacation, 5–0 each, and passed consent resolutions 2026-210 through 2026-234, 5–0.

  • Township Committee Regular Meeting

    The Township Committee adopted the filming ordinance (26-20) and the fire-inspection fee ordinance (26-21) 4–0, with Committeeman Croson absent. It introduced the $1,140,160 Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond appropriation 4–0, certified the 2025 annual audit 4–0, and approved consent resolutions 2026-189 through 2026-204, 4–0, including a change order on Mountainview Road Phase I.

  • Township Committee Regular Meeting

    The Township Committee adopted Ordinances 26-01, 26-02 and 26-03 5–0, approved the Green Acres application for Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond 5–0, and introduced eight ordinances 5–0, including the Mount Bethel appropriation, a Valley View Road bond and six affordable-housing measures. It adopted fifteen consent resolutions, with one abstention, and a temporary office lease 5–0.

Sources for this overview

  1. Township Committee minutes, August 20, 2026 (Ordinance 26-22 adoption, Res. 2026-226, Res. 2026-230)
  2. Ordinance 26-22, in the August 20, 2026 agenda
  3. Township Committee minutes, February 19, 2026 (Green Acres hearing, Res. 2026-074)
  4. Township Committee minutes, July 16, 2026 (first reading)
  5. Township Committee minutes, June 18, 2026 (grant report)
  6. Open Space Advisory Committee page
  7. Draft open space plan summary
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