Wenonah Environmental Commission

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Wenonah Conservation Land Acquisitions

SUMMARY - The entire Borough of Wenonah has a total landmass of approximately One Square Mile (639 Acres) with conservation lands along the perimeter of 134.6416 Acres or 21.0706% of land mass. This does not include the Formal Park, the Pool Recreation Area, two Sports Recreation Areas and other privately owned vacant land that borders on the Conservation areas. The percentage of public conservation lands within the borders of Wenonah is one of the highest in the entire state of NJ. They are linked together in a Borough Ordinance that insures they will remain as Conservation Land for perpetuity. Wenonah is extremely grateful for all the conservation land donations, especially the many key pieces acquired through the Stewart Estate Trust Fund.

1871 to 1912 - 24.609 acres of conservation lands with streams, ponds and lakes were already secured through private donations and the Mantua Land and Improvement Company, which developed Wenonah's grid of streets and lots.

1913 to 1938 - 13.112 acres of Conservation land were mostly acquired through private donations.

1939 to 1989 - 83.9336 acres of additional conservation lands bordering on waterways were acquired by private donations, borough conversion or through the Stewart Estate Trust to the Borough of Wenonah. The Trust was named after Frank H. Stewart who passed away and designated that the interest on his wealth be specifically used for any acquisition of conservation land bordering on water, where the public could enjoy it for perpetuity.

1990 to 2002 - 12.987 acres of conservation lands were acquired by allowing a Federal Tax Deductible Donation of Land to Wenonah and lands were also acquired through the Stewart Estate Trust Fund. The total value of the 12.987 acres of land amounted to $331,900.00 and was acquired at no cost to the Borough of Wenonah. These were the final pieces of land connecting the trail system throughout the "Ring of Green".

THE TOTAL CONSERVATION LANDS, INCLUDING ALL WETLANDS, STREAMS, CREEKS, PONDS AND LAKES, IS 134.6416 ACRES (21.0706%) WITHIN THE CONSERVATION AREAS ARE 5.9 MILES OF TRAILS AND MANY HISTORIC SITES ALONG WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF WILDLIFE.

Acknowledgements: Some data derived from the archives of Milton H. Webb and Mayor Jack Sheppard, Sr. by C.R.Forsman