Lambertville purchased the property for $1.4 million from Win and Pat Buchanan.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERVILLE Monday, the city became the new owner of about 16 acres of land that will be preserved as open space for $1.4 million.
The property is one of the last large open parcels of land in the city. It consists of 11.13 acres of steep-slope land behind Ely Field and Lambertville Public School and 5.242 acres along Jefferson Road.
It was purchased from Win and Pat Buchanan of Rosemont Avenue.
"This is hugely significant for the city," Mayor David Del Vecchio said. "This is government spending for such a good thing, which is preserving our quality of life. It’s one of the more significant things we’re able to do. In 20 or 25 years from now, kids on the playground and people going to school will be able to look up and see what we see today. Outside of passive recreation use, that will not change, hopefully forever."
A state Green Acres grant for $400,000 will offset the purchase price. Also, the city has a 2 percent loan for $250,000. The remainder is being paid through a 2-cent open space tax that was approved by voters in 2004. The tax is based on real estate assessments with 2 cents owed for every $100 of property value.
"We will pursue more funding for cheaper money so this will cost the least amount to the taxpayers as possible," Mayor Del Vecchio said.
Aside from aesthetics, if the land was developed with houses and other structures, it could affect stormwater runoff and "exacerbate the situation with flooding," Mayor Del Vecchio said.
"This is an exciting moment for us," said Environmental Commission Secretary Piper Trelstad.
Lambertville Eagle Scout Wyatt Brady has refurbished a hiking trail that runs the length of the property along the ridge, and the city is considering expanding the trail so it can wind down to a lower level and permit access from an area near the school, according to Ms. Trelstad.
No decision on expanding the trail has been made, but there is an "exciting opportunity there," Ms. Trelstad said.
Mr. Brady’s work on the trail "made it a little bit more pedestrian friendly," Ms. Trelstad said.
Also, he installed a plaque to help hikers identify plants.
Mayor Del Vecchio said, "You look now in summer, and all you see is trees. In winter, you see trees covered with snow. It’s just a nice view, and it will stay that way now. It will stay that way forever. My kids are 3 and 10. When they’re 23 and 30, it’ll look the same. They may have kids that they take to the playground, and it will look the same."

