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Topic: SOME HILLTOP UPDATES... (Read 18157 times) |
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LionelTrainGuy
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Re: SOME HILLTOP UPDATES...
« Reply #60 on: Mar 24th, 2012, 8:35pm » |
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Hello Hilltoppers:
Just an fyi that we will be conducting our 9th annual spring clean-up in the Hilltop Reservation the weekend after Easter, April 14-15. Be sure to mark your calendars!
On Saturday, April 14th, we'll be working near the new water tower, cleaning up the area around the great new interpretive signage that has been installed at the south end of the meadow path. We'll also spend some time in the new 3-acre restoration site nearby, where you have doubtless noticed lots of piles of mulch and wood chips!
On Sunday, April 15th, we'll be working near the western entrance, not far from the gate and signs at the end of Courter Lane. There is still a lot of old junk and trash to pull out of that wooded area, as well as some fallen trees to clear from the route itself.
More details will be posted as the date approaches.
Thanks All for Your Support!!
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Greetings from beautiful downtown Riverside, New Jersey!!!
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LionelTrainGuy
Administration
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Re: SOME HILLTOP UPDATES...
« Reply #61 on: Apr 6th, 2012, 10:10pm » |
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Hello Hilltoppers:
Last night, a little after 6pm, the Verona Fire Department was called to deal with a fire in the 10-acre meadow site, just west and north of the new water tower. They were able to squelch the flames in short order, but because grass fires burn hot and fast (helped by last night's brisk wind), the fire consumed about an acre of the restoration site before it was put out.
After investigation by the Sheriff's Dept, it was determined that the fire was started by a discarded cigarette (they know this because it was the same smoker who called 9-1-1).
All I can say here is: smokers -- please please PLEASE be careful with your cigarette butts, matches and lighters -- they are both a fire hazard and a source of litter. The Hilltop Reservation can remain a wonderful place to visit, but only if each of us maintains a stewardship mentality, and treats the Hilltop as the open space treasure it is.
Lastly, please call the Sheriff's Dept dispatcher immediately at 973 621-8813 if you see any fire, vandalism, unauthorized vehicles or other concerns -- it's their job to maintain safety in the park. And yes, graffiti is vandalism.
Thank you.
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my whole world is falling, going crazy
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Greetings from beautiful downtown Riverside, New Jersey!!!
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LionelTrainGuy
Administration
it's a long story...
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Re: SOME HILLTOP UPDATES...
« Reply #62 on: Nov 6th, 2012, 10:26pm » |
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Damage on the Hilltop after Hurricane Sandy
This last week has been difficult for all of us as power is restored and we re-gather our lives and recover from this natural disaster.
The storm did some serious damage to some of the majestic giants in the hilltop, there are many trees and branches that have fallen……this does have the benefit however of opening up parts of the forest canopy for new younger growth to take hold and flourish in the sudden influx of sun and rain.
Hundreds of hours of help are needed to reopen the many trails that are blocked and everyone can help a bit…….when hiking, clear everything you can……if you have a small hand saw, bring it and cut back what you can (please cut anything 2-3 feet back from the trail edge and at least 6 feet high above the trail)….in most cases, trails will just be cleared of fallen trees and branches and not need to be re routed,
We are also looking for experienced people with chainsaws to tackle a section of trail.
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IP Logged |
my whole world is falling, going crazy
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my front porch light is on but the bulb has burned out.
Greetings from beautiful downtown Riverside, New Jersey!!!
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LionelTrainGuy
Administration
it's a long story...
Gender:
Posts: 3310
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Re: SOME HILLTOP UPDATES...
« Reply #63 on: Dec 20th, 2012, 10:35pm » |
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Hello Hilltoppers:
You may have noticed some activity recently in the Reservation -- tree / road clearing, a concrete dumpster, and some holes dug in the woods.
Tree / Road Clearing -- Century 21, the owner of the Highlands apartment complex, is required to keep their emergency evacuation route clear. This route extends from the gate in back of the complex, up the west side of the loop road, and all the way down to Fairview Avenue. Since that route has been repeatedly blocked by storm damage during the past 12 months, they brought in a crew to give the entire route a solid trimming. The same crew also scraped back all the leaves and dirt that had accumulated at the road edge over the past few decades. The resulting haircut looks a bit severe right now, but that will improve once everything leafs out next April.
Concrete Dumpster -- Essex County has provided a 20-yard dumpster for the concrete chunks and old cinderblocks we're still finding here and there (leftovers from the former sanatorium). We'll be filling the dumpster this month, and it should be removed in early January.
Planting Holes -- As part of the Hilltop's first reforestation project, we will be planting native shrubs in the woods inside the loop road, just north of the meadow restoration site. We already have most of the supplies arranged, including shrubs like arrowwood, redbud, serviceberry and summersweet. Since digging holes in the woods can be a nightmare if done manually, we really needed a contractor and machine to do it for us. Grove Landscaping came to the rescue yesterday and dug out 10 pre-marked sites with their small trackhoe. We're targeting late March / early April (this-coming spring) for a planting event, including installing temporary deer fencing -- mark your calendars!!
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IP Logged |
my whole world is falling, going crazy
there is no escaping now I'm crackin' up
my front porch light is on but the bulb has burned out.
Greetings from beautiful downtown Riverside, New Jersey!!!
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LionelTrainGuy
Administration
it's a long story...
Gender:
Posts: 3310
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Re: SOME HILLTOP UPDATES...
« Reply #64 on: Jan 19th, 2013, 8:32pm » |
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Hello Hilltoppers:
Essex County held a press conference yesterday and announced that they will be holding deer hunts in the South Mountain and Hilltop Reservations this year (but not in Eagle Rock). This year's Hilltop program will be shorter than last year's -- Thursday January 31st, Tuesday February 5th and Thursday February 7th.
Like last year, the Reservation will be closed the entire day on those 3 days, and the stretch of Fairview Avenue between Durrell Street in Verona and Myrtle Avenue in Cedar Grove will be blocked off (detour signs will be posted).
Thanks to the hundreds of you who signed our deer hunt petition to the County, thereby expressing your support for a balanced ecosystem and a healthy nature preserve.
If you haven't already signed, and wish to, please go to
http://www.change.org/
search under "deer culling", then sign and submit.
Or, you can just click on this link and go directly to the petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-joe-divincenzo-continue-deer-cullin g-in-essex-county-reservations
Have a good rest of the week.
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IP Logged |
my whole world is falling, going crazy
there is no escaping now I'm crackin' up
my front porch light is on but the bulb has burned out.
Greetings from beautiful downtown Riverside, New Jersey!!!
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