Hi Everyone:
 
Haven't the last few days been gorgeous!!  

I have been keeping myself busy with some Open Space projects. One project is being a member of the Allamuchy Challenge Committee at our Township's Elementary School. The Allamuchy Challenge is an annual event held in the Fall. Students, family and friends are invited to the Deer Park Section of Allamuchy Mountain State Park to see if they can meet the challenge of the trails and to learn about and gain an appreciation for our wonderful State Park. Three separate hikes are mapped out, varying in difficulty so that each participant can in fact participate to his or her level of comfort. I can report that each and every year has been a great success and every year this gains in popularity!! This years Challenge was to take place Oct. 17th but two North Easters caused a postponement to Nov. 14th.

Last Monday my detail was to check road conditions along the closed portion of the dam maintenance road, which is located between the second parking area and the dam at the northeast corner of Deer Park Pond. I would then report to the State Park Superintendent and to the Allamuchy Elementary School Superintendent. This year we would like to check out the possibility of expanding the Allamuchy Challenge by inviting our senior citizens who could opt to take a small bus tour that would take them up to see this beautiful section of the State Park.  

The first three photos are from the Allamuchy Historical Society's post card collection ca 1904 - This is how the name Deer Park evolved. The Rutherfurd/Stuyvesant Family had their mansions on this property and they were great outdoorsmen and hunters who actually imported elk and deer in this section of their property. The family sold the property to the State of NJ which created today's 9,000 + acres of Allamuchy Mountain State Park.

During my detail it became rather obvious that the leaves are really starting to change and this might provide a nice photo email celebrating our Open Space and our local events + a little history!!
 
Hope you enjoy
 
Charlie Fineran
 
Director of Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission
Allamuchy Historical Society - President