Now there's even more land to explore in the Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Officials said Thursday that four parcels of land, for a total of 354 acres, have been transferred to the park by The Conservation Fund.
All four parcels are within the park's current boundary.
The newly acquired properties include:
-- 33 acres directly across from Hidden Lake, a popular recreation area near Bushkill in Pike County.
According to National Park Service (NPS) officials, before acquisition, the property was at high risk of being developed. Ownership by the NPS will permanently preserve views of the lake and protect the stream that flows in and out of the lake.
Purchase prices was $189,000.
-- 68 acres adjacent to the northeastern park boundary in New Jersey. This acquisition will permanently protect a trout production stream and several wetlands.
Purchase price: $434,000
-- 108 acres in Sussex County, N.J., directly across the river from the Bushkill Access.
NPS ownership will protect the land from being developed into private homes or a resort. Also protected: wetlands, the Delaware Wild and Scenic River Corridor, and migratory bird habitat.
Purchase price: $905,000; the Open Space Institute contributed $105,000 in watershed protection grants toward the purchase.
-- 145 acres adject to the property on Hidden Lake Drive near Bushkill. According to the NPS, its acquisition halted development of private homes that had begun on the land. NPS ownership will permanently protect it from residential development, and thereby reduce traffic congestion near a popular entrance to the park.
Purchase price: $370,000.
“People have been attracted to our outstanding scenery, fresh air, and access to the great outdoors for over 150 years and that is why our region remains a prime destination for the many tourists who fuel the local economy," said Water Gap Superintendent John Donahue.
"It is critical that we preserve our undeveloped spaces so that we can capture the economic benefits of living and working in such a spectacular location. There is a need and a place for wise new development in our region, and we must all preserve the very reason that people chose to live here and visit,” Donahue pointed out.
“In addition to the economic benefits of preserving natural spaces, the public will eventually have access to these places in perpetuity,” he added.
The NPS also received compensation worth $66 million from PPL and PSE&G to offsent unavoidable impacts to park resources and visitors as the utilities upgrade and expand the Susquehanna-Roseland electric transmission lines.
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