Ramapo Mountains County Park

Ramapo Mountains County Park Visioning Workshop Findings Report October 19, 2010

Acknowledgments The effort to develop a Park Management Plan for county-owned land in the Ramapo Mountains grew out of Bergen County s desire to ensure that visitors have enjoyable experiences while maintaining the scenic, natural, cultural and recreational qualities of these important lands. Key to the success of any management plan is the valuable input of park users and neighbors. Thus, Bergen County has taken a proactive approach in gathering public input, developing a project website to communicate and receive input and along with Maser Consulting and Regional Plan Association, carried out a visioning workshop to solicit public input on the issues that will be covered by the management plan. Attended by around 100 residents and stakeholders, the workshop provided the shapers of the plan the opportunity to directly interact with park users, neighbors and advocates. The workshop was held from 7-9 pm on October 19, 2010 at the Township of Mahwah Administration Building, Senior Activity Center. Thanks to all of the facilitators and participants who worked together to envision the future for the Ramapo Mountains County Park. Robert Abbatomarco, Bergen County Richard Barone, RPA Brigette Bogart, Burgis Associates Facilitators Wayne Ferrin, Maser Consulting Rob Freudenberg, RPA Howard Horowitz, Ramapo College of New Jersey Donna Orbach, Bergen County Rob Pirani, RPA Dave Roberts, Maser Consulting Farouk Ahmad, Bergen County Todd Cochran, Bergen County Technical Resources Adam Strobel, Bergen County Eileen Swan, NJ Highlands Council Findings Report prepared by Regional Plan Association 1

Participants The yellow dots on the map represent the approximate location of participants in the Ramapo Mountains County Park Workshop. Those who attended were well-distributed around the study area, outlined in red. Participants included residents from nearby Oakland Borough, Mahwah Township, Ringwood Borough and Suffern, NY. Others came from as far away as Maywood, NJ. 2

Introduction - FAQs What is the Ramapo Mountains County Park Management Plan? The park management plan is an active and ongoing process for making choices about how to effectively plan and manage the Bergen County section of the Ramapo Mountains for the next 15 to 20 years. What is the Bergen County Ramapo Mountains County Park? The Bergen County Ramapo Mountains County Park total approximately 4,500 acres of parkland. They are a portion of a larger preservation area of contiguous parkland owned and managed by the State of New Jersey, the counties of Passaic, Orange and Rockland, New York, as well as the Borough of Oakland and the Township of Mahwah. The Bergen County Ramapo Mountains County Park encompasses the following park areas: Ramapo Valley County Reservation; Camp Glen Gray; Camp Tamarack; and Camp Todd. Why is the County of Bergen doing a park management plan now? After years of acquiring forested lands, the County is now focusing on helping ensure that the park s scenic, natural, cultural and recreational qualities are protected and preserved while providing appropriate visitor experiences. The plan will allow the County to examine the Park s long-range goals and management issues, and chart a course for its future. What is the Ramapo Mountains County Park Management Planning process? The planning process is a one and a half year long effort that involves collecting existing park and population data, touring and evaluating the conditions of the nature park areas and facilities, and connecting with the public to gather community interests and needs. Input from park users will help the park planners develop the plan. These findings represent a summary of the public input gathered at the October 19, 2010 Visioning Workshop. 3

Study Area 4

Issues & Findings Foundation Statement of the Park The Foundation Statement is a formal description of the Ramapo Mountains County Park core mission. It provides a shared understanding of what is most important about the park. Participants were asked -both at the wokrshop and online - to provide feedback on the statement below. Purpose Statement The purpose of the Bergen County Ramapo Mountains County Park is to protect and maintain the wilderness experience, interpret and learn from this dynamic natural resource, and facilitate the sensible and sustainable human use of the Ramapo Mountains and the surrounding landscape. Significance Statement The Ramapo Mountains County Park offers exceptional opportunities for nature based recreation and enjoyment; cultural and historical related activities. The Ramapo Mountains County Park lies at the northeast limits of the New York New Jersey Highlands and is a component of the Appalachian Mountain chain, contributing to significant biological diversity including habitat for a unique assemblage of plants and animals unparalleled in the region. The Ramapo Mountains County Park contains the most rugged and dramatically beautiful mountain scenery in all of Bergen County. Does the purpose statement reflect your sense of why the park was created and its role in the Bergen County park system? If not, tell us why. Eliminate the final sentence of the Significance Statement. Hard to comment without fully understanding the words: wilderness experience; sustainable use what does it mean? Statement should emphasize uniqueness of the place The statement should reflect the needs and concerns of Bergen County: Health and the human experience; Partnership to Highlands; History Yes, I view the Park as a wild (as much as can be in this area) section set aside to enable us to get close to the natural environment that is still left Suggest discussion of habitat improvement since there are a lot of invasive species Nothing about the cultural significance in the purpose Need to define cultural be sure to mention/specify the current native population Passive and/or active recreation should be addressed Should mention conservation and respect What is nature-based? Should be better defined Preservation of nature should be addressed Add something about stewardship and education Does not identify a vision or goal Is overly general What is meant by sustainable? The word wilderness could scare away more than attract Final line rugged sounds like it is inaccessible Yes, especially sustainable use Not really. I believe we need to preserve and protect the current habitat and do whatever it takes to promote native species of animals and plants (except in cases where they have run amok ie deer who are destructive to habitat because of excessive numbers) Purpose should be to maintain the land as is for passive use only (hiking, photography, nature watching) Prohibit commercialization, motorized vehicles and any other activity other than pedestrian activity allowed today The only thing that should be added is more park oversight and supervision to enforce the rules and limit hunters to areas far residential communities Except for the statement facilitate the sensible and sustainable human use Do the significance statements capture your sense of why the park is important? If not, tell us why you think the park is important. Many yeses The park is unique in Bergen County and New Jersey. It is vital that we have this natural resource preserved for passive recreation specially birding and nature observation Activities should be limited to pedestrian activity and maintenance of existing trails No pavement, no parking lots; no problem with current parking Leave the land virtually unchanged; preserve and protect the land as is Used to be a lot of places like this; the opportunity is unique. We should keep it this way 5

Issues & Findings Foundation Statement of the Park (cont d) The Foundation Statement is a formal description of the Ramapo Mountains County Park core mission. It provides a shared understanding of what is most important about the park. Participants were asked -both at the wokrshop and online - to provide feedback on the statement below. What park management issues are you most concerned about? There s already a lot of trails; should maintain what s there, why add to it? Everyone should use it, but it should be passive, have to work to get to the areas Keep garbage locked Plants and animals are unique: 200 bird species in the area It is a misconception that mountain bikes degrade resources more than other non-motorized uses (ie hiking). If properly managed, bikes can co-exist with hikers Lot s of wildlife has come back now, further development might scare them away again Inclusion of multi-use (specifically mountain bike riding) in Bergen County parks Address infrastructure (parking, access points, etc) which is limited and unmonitored Ensure no sports fields Enforcement of Park Rules Have to deal with access supply them, maintain them, have the resources for them, determine responsibility, maintainability Need for education Let people know what wilderness is in the area and how to react appropriately Define access some locations have traditionally been abused so how to deal with it? Overuse denigrates the area Would like to see access for mountain bikes in some areas Would like to add cycling as a permitted use within the Bergen County trail system Resource protection/improvement/restoration should be a focus The possibility of allowing ATVs, dirtbikes, etc. into the parks I am concerned that the property will be left as is and not considered for additional uses as appropriate Need to avoid overuse of certain areas in order to preserve the sense of wilderness; keeping the land natural and preserved Managing the wear/tear and deterioration of more people accessing the land; Maintenance leads to respect of property (wellmaintained parks are more respected) Misuse of park facilities Non-native vegetation You must protect the safety of the neighborhoods that border the park. Lake Todd and Tamarack offer access to the Ramapo River Reservation neighborhood in Oakland that has already experienced numerous break-ins in the past year alone. Allowing more access to these lakes allows more access to our neighborhood. The humans that bring their dogs to the park, leaving bags of feces hanging off tree limbs, along sides of trails, or not picking up dog feces at all, or running their dogs off leashes (allowing their friendly dog to jump on unsuspecting hikers muddying their clothes) have ruined the park for carefree enjoyment by hikers and picnickers. BAN ALL DOGS! The audacity of these dog owners to expect park employees to clean up these messes. We live near the park and don t hike there anymore as it is so disgusting. GIVE THE PARK BACK TO THE RESIDENTS TO ENJOY without dog issues. We have dogs in our family but do not allow them to ruin the outdoor experience for others. Access points must be supervised Need to assess what activities are going on and determine which are positives and which are negatives May require additional staff Some things need immediate consideration, such as burial site Possible overflow parking at Ramapo College on weekends when there are no classes I am concerned about continued community participation in the management of the park; can a Steering or Oversight Committee be established? It s hard to get people to listen to issues and add in more plans Preservation of cultural and historical aspects of the parks Increased/linked tourism between Bergen County and the Village of Suffern, NY Providing awimming/lifeguarding services at lakes More Green Acres land preservation is needed Deer hunting should be managed; population is high This type of vision and type of assemblage by the County could serve as a model for other types of park systems through-out the highlands region and through-out the tri-state area 6

Issues & Findings User Activities: Current As Bergen County prepares the park management plan, it is vital to understand how the park lands in the study area are currently being used. Knowing how people use the park will enable the county to effectively manage it and ensure continued use into the future. To gain insight into this subject, workshop participants were asked to describe their favorite activities to do in the area. Their responses are listed below. What are your favorite activities to do in this area? Birding (3 tables) Botonizing Camping (2 tables) Community Service Discovering Dog Walking (2 tables) Enjoying nature Environmental and Cultural Education Experiencing biological purity Experiencing historical/cultural resources Exploring Fishing (2 tables) Geocaching Hiking (7 tables) Horseback riding in the vicinity Kayaking/Canoeing Living in it (Ramapoughs) Low impact, sustainable activities Mountain biking nearby (4 tables) Nature/wilderness appreciation Non-motorized activities Passive use Peace and quiet Scenic photography School field trips Snow shoeing Trail running Tree identification Walking (leisure) (4 tables) Wildflower observation Wildlife observation User Activities: Desired While the county parkland in the study area is used for a variety of activities, the park management plan seeks to address managing those activites that are desired, but not currently allowed. To determine what these uses are, workshop participants were asked what activities they would like to do, but currently could not. Their responses are listed below. 7 What activities would you like to do, that you can t currently do in this area and why? Mountain biking/biking (5 tables) - Conflicts with other uses can be avoided by placement of trails far from hiking areas - Trails that cover greater distances than hiking trails Cross-country skiing (2 tables) Canoeing/kayaking access and water trails (4 tables) Camping (4 tables) - Multiple sections with a pass that can go from park to park - Camping permits are currently limited to 2 weeks in length Swimming (monitored by lifeguards) Directly access park from Ramapo College Environmental education incorporated into the uses of the Ramapo park system - Cultural/interpretive learning center to educate on use of the land Guided tours/organized hikes Trail from Darlington Schoolhouse to Reservation Dog Park (by Scarlet Oak Pond) Benches/picnic tables Boy Scout projects throughout the park Create shelters Horseback riding by Campgaw Dog walking in Darlington Park in winter Proper trail design is needed to avoid erosion Better road access Would like more fire towers Hawk watches/bird counts Use of the trails extended to multi-use

Issues & Findings User Activities: Impediments In order to both manage existing uses and consider the potential for new uses in the study area of the Bergen County parklands, it is important to understand what impediments limit use of the land. Workshop participants were asked to name any impediments to using the park. Their responses are listed below. What are the greatest impediments to using the Park? Access to park/parking (8 tables) Boundaries between state and county Communications, website ineffective Dogs/waste (2 tables) Eroding/degrading/poorly marked trails (3 tables) Limited opportunities to provide feedback Lack of boat launches (2 tables) Lack of funding for an interpretive center, etc. Lack of maintenance of the park Lack of respect from visitors to other users (2 tables) Lack of seasonal uses Limited space Need for more park managers/rangers (2 tables) There are no bike lanes on access roads No sidewalk between Ramapo College and Reservation Not enough room/no clear boundaries for hunters/can make other users feel unsafe and avoid the park (3 tables) Trail width too narrow Trails not separated by use Lack of connection between New York and New Jersey Would like to see linkage from Mahwah down to old Pleasureland in Oakland at corner of Route 202 and Long Hill Need better mass transit to get to the parks Additional signage needed A visitor booth with possible satellite kiosks is needed for maps/ overview 8

Issues & Findings Map Questions Workshop participants were asked to work on a series of questions using basemaps as reference. In particular, they were asked to identify ecologiclaly sensitive areas and historical/cultural areas that they would like to see preserved. Additionally, they were asked to specifically determne what uses they would like to see throughout the study area - particualrly focusing on the Todd and Tamarack areas. Finally, they were asked to identify additional access points. Their responses are summarized On the map, identify areas that you know are ecologically sensitive and that you would prefer to see preserved with little to no activities. below and on the maps that follow. Earlier, you were introduced to two former Scout Camps, Todd and Tamarack. How would you like to see these areas used? River valley is ecologically sensitive for bird populations Water quality is concern near Camp Todd Northern end of park has wood turtles Rocks in Camp Todd have timber rattlesnakes Well-marked on maps already Preserve all ecologically sensitive areas Clearly define existing trails Prevent deviation from the trail Deer exclusion fencing Invasive species control (manual removal, no chemicals) Everything/entire park Should create zoning/designate areas for specific activities: - Hiking only - Multi-use - Horse trails (Campgaw) Watershed areas Ecologically sensitive management techniques - Keep natural, but manage use - No chemical pesticides - Appropriate cutting of vegetation, impact on water On the map, identify areas that are historical in nature and that you would like to see preserved and/ or interpreted. Preserve historical areas, but have identification noting its historical nature Protect stone walls/structures Old Town of Halifax Old foundations on Halifax Trail German House Root cellar (Halifax Trail) Lean-to Sanders Farm House 19th century farms - Havemeyer by Lake Henry Millstone Trail Glen Gray Scout Camp Repair stone structure by Ramapo Lake Restore area/ return to nature/replant trees Designate as no impact areas Keep them isolated - Wilderness experience with some access Get rid of old, deteriorating structures, make safe for human interaction Move recreational activities like camping to Glen Gray At least one camp should be an access point Would like to see them used Parking and access points No need for wildlife center More access to both Parking at Skyline Drive and Hilltop Road More trails/multi-use/horses School curriculum/field trips Skyline Drive greenbelt Use existing roads for access, with improvements Educational experience - Learning center to educate Limit parking - Arrive early or come back another day - Model Harriman State Park pullovers - Locate small, low-impact lots/pull-offs along Skyline Drive No services, carry-in, carry-out Series of low-impact, interconnected nodes Of the activities you named above, where in the two Camps and the Reservation Area would be the best place to do each? Open up mountain biking to public places in the northern reaches Limit mountain bike usage near hiking trails Explore opportunities at Camp Yaw Paw Better access near the old fire tower on Skyline Drive 9

Issues & Findings Are additional access points desirable? If so, where should they be and what should they look like? Keep dirt roads for skiing area Keep dirt roads for specific mountain biking routes Keep access limited at Tamarack and Todd Skyline Drive - Improve access - Avoid overcrowding of parking - Ensure safe crossing * Underground culvert * Pedestrian bridge There are enough access points already Better access at Todd and Tamarack Bear Swamp Road - Begins on private property so County would need to work out arrangement with property owners for access Stag Hill area for mountain biking trails to connect with Ringwood SP Co-operative agreement with Ramapo College for shared parking and trail access points Use the Ringwood Park and Ride to run shuttle buses to the park entrances on weekends There should be a park utilization assessment done and that should be geared toward whether a parking study is needed Use the parking at Camp Glen Gray during the week when the campsite is not busy Large contiguous properties should for the most part remain as is Less encroachment equals more preservation of watershed and more preservation of wild life Tag-line Vision In one, tag-line sentence, describe your table s vision for the future Ramapo Mountains County Park. In order to summarize the work they had done, workshop participants were encouraged to develop tag-line sentences that captured their vision for what the Ramapo Mountains County Park should be. Their responses are listed below. Table 1 To leave the land unchanged, to preserve and protect it as it is Table 2 Ramapo Mountain County Park System is an exceptional natural resource with abundant viewscapes, wild life, water resources & trails, worthy of vigilant preservation and environmental stewardship while not disrupting the existing habitats, yet while maintaining non-motorized human utilization of the parks and trail system Table 3 The future is history The park where history is tomorrow s future Nature s footprint for humanity A circle of respect Table 5 Aggressively protecting the historical and environmentally sensitive areas Maintaining preexisting trails and replanting eroded areas Carry-in, carry-out Restore disturbed areas The County s best example of wilderness Table 6 Protect, preserve, and restore Table 7 If it ain t broke, don t fix it Where a kid can be a kid with only imagination Table 8 Take your kid for a hike Encourage environmental stewardship Table 9 North Jersey s Harriman Wilderness in your backyard Table 4 Ramapo Mountain County Park System is an exceptional natural resource with abundant viewscapes, wildlife, water resources & trails, worthy of vigilant preservation and environmental stewardship while not disrupting the existing habitats, yet while maintaining non-motorized human utilization of the parks and trail system 10

Maps Table 1 11

Maps Table 2 12

Maps Table 5 13

Maps Table 6 14

Maps Table 7 15

Maps Table 8 16

Maps Table 9 17