Local news- Press Release
Somerset County New Jersey - Somerset County Acts To Preserve 402 Acre Hillsborough Golf Country Club on the Side of Sourland Mountain 14 February 2024 ( news )
Somerset County , state New Jersey ( By Press Release office)
Feb 14,2024
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This drone photo of a dairy barn on the Hillsborough Golf and Country Club property was taken on Monday , looking east .
SOMERVILLE , NJ –
The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners last night voted unanimously to purchase 402 acres in Hillsborough , expanding the 6 , 000 - acre Sourland Mountain Preserve in Central Jersey’s largest forest . Known as the Hillsborough Golf & Country Club and located on both sides of Wertsville Road , the property was purchased for $6 . 75 million from the estate of the late Bryce Thompson IV .
Somerset County led the negotiations with the Thompson family and will contribute the largest amount to the purchase using approximately $3 million from the County’s dedicated open space tax fund . New Jersey’s Green Acres program is expected to contribute about $2 . 3 million , and Hillsborough Township will contribute the remaining amount from its open space fund .
“This property has long been at the very top of our priority list for preservation , and we are grateful to the state and Hillsborough for helping us make this acquisition possible , ” said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y . Robinson . “This is the single largest open space acquisition Somerset County has made in twenty years . ”
“The preservation of this property expands the Sourland Mountain Preserve , which is so vital to protecting plant and wild animal life , migrating birds , clean water , and outdoor recreation , ” said Commissioner Melonie Marano , who serves as liaison to the Somerset County Open Space Advisory Committee .
The 402 acres stretch from the north side of the Sourland Mountain to the Amwell Valley below and are visible from miles away . The parcel south of Wertsville Road consists of 75 vacant acres on the side of the mountain with areas of mature woodland and open farm fields . The portion north of Wertsville Road consists of 327 acres , including approximately one mile of Neshanic River frontage , and had been utilized as a golf course and polo field . Structures on the property include three storage barns , three residences , a small motel , and a clubhouse .
While both the buyers and sellers have signed the sale agreement , the closing will not happen for several weeks or months , during which time the property will remain privately owned and should not be visited . Once the County takes ownership , the public will be invited to contribute to a master plan to guide the passive development , restoration , and use of the property , including potential uses for existing buildings .
“Public service is about leaving our children a better world , and protecting natural land helps achieve that , ” said Hillsborough Mayor Robert Britting , Jr . “Working directly with Somerset County to protect over 400 acres of land in Hillsborough was an honor . ”
“The Estate of Bryce Thompson is pleased to see the property acquired by Somerset County for open space , ” said Executor Archibald Reid . “During his lifetime , Mr . Thompson worked with Somerset County to preserve over 1 , 000 acres of his land in and around the Sourland Mountain that my otherwise have been developed . Mr . Thompson’s willingness to work with the County was key to the ongoing preservation efforts of the mountain and its resources . ”
"The New Jersey Conservation Foundation is thrilled Somerset County has authorized the preservation of this strategically important property as it is adjacent to the 1 , 150 - acre Rainbow Hill at Sourland Mountain Preserve , which we manage together , " said Jay Watson , Co - Executive Director . "We fully support the County ' s preservation of the Hillsborough Golf and Country Club property and will assist in any way we can . "
A photo of the newly preserved land in summer , looking south toward the Sourland Mountain .
The yellow area in the map is the land to be preserved in Hillsborough , adding 402 acres to the 6 , 000 acres ( in green ) already preserved by Somerset County .
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