The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-19
NATURAL PARKS IN NEW JERSEY.
Many Beautiful Spots on the Moun-
tafns and In the valleys.

SNOtH OH n NlO HI
tains and In the Valleys.
The Importance of easily accessible re-
treats for the masses of the population of
the cities of this State, as we'll as for those
who are able TO own places in the country or
to have country homes, is treated in the re-
cent annual report of the State Geologist,
under the caption of Irrational Parks and
Forest Reservations In this report he
says
The development of the resources in beau
tiful natural scenery and in health giving re-
sorts for the people of our crowded cities.
IS one OF the e%minently practical benefits of
the studies and surveys which have been
made of the surface. The beauty of the
scenery and the he~althfulness of To-
calties are as closely related to
the geology as the occurrence of ores
and beds of natural products of economic
value, or the soil in its endless variation.
The examination of much in all of them is
alike to be found in geological history.
Many illustrations might be given SO far as
scenery of certain types and forms of beauty
is related to the geology.
That the healthfulness is as intimate in
its relationship is not SO easily shown. 1t is
hoped that future reports on the geology of
the surface may do much to point out in
detail, and, by the help of maps exhibit at a
glance localities and districts of Characters
tic topography and of forest covering and
natural drainage which make them of speci-
tic value as health resorts, or as sites for
natural parks and reservations for game
preserves.
IN some of them there are remarkable
natural features, which should be reserved
by means of some associated or public
supervision. The Highlands lave been re-
ferred to repeatedly IN account of their
beautiful lakes, excellent water and surface
adapted to the touches of landscape art.
The trap-rock ranges of hills-the Palisades.
Watching Mountains, Sourland Mountain,
Round Valley or Cushetunk Mountain, and
other lesser ridges, are prominent in the
cultivated, plain country of the Triassic red
sandstone, and afford sites of commanding
and beautiful views. Many localities are
well known and are much frequented. There
Is room for a much larger population on
these hills and lower mountains.
Of the more quiet beauty of the valleys it
Is not possible to do more now than to note
that the exploreri in the northeast and cen
tral parts OF the State may discover what
may suit him, and near railway lines of
travel, SO as to be easily accessible from the
cities OF the metropolitan district. Further
away there is much of beautiful Quiet
scenery in the Highlands valleys and in the
K%lttatinny valley.
The more specific purpose of this reference
to the subject is, however, to call attention
to the large and available tracts in the
highlands which are SO well fitted to become
natural parks for the use of the masses of
our people who need the resort to the coun-
try and yet cannot afford to nave country
homes.
Nearly all of the more attractive places
and all of the larger lakes in the Highlands
are less than thirty miles from Newark and
Paterson and the adjacent towns, and a
radius OF forty miles from the cities of that
part OF the State would sweep within its
range all OF them and the greater part of
the Highlands. One of sixty miles would
take in nearly the whole of the northern
part of the State.
1t Is the comparative nearness of SO large
q territory filled with wildwood scenery and
still IN forest, INC with so many lakes and
lakelets within easy reach by railway, which
is the attractive feature of this country. and
more remarkable as we note the decreasing
march OF improvement ovef districts more
suited to the demands of cropping or where
the capacious maws of furnaces and mines,
or the market for lumber have consumed
the woods.
1T is not a region SCARED by fires, as are
some OF the more remote and more pine-cov-
cred mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania
or OF the southern part of our own State.
And 1T IS naturally suited to the production
OF luxuriant tree growth, excepting on the
rocky mountain crests, and ridges, where
the soil is necessarily scanty and not of a
depth to make a heavy growth of wood.
The preservation of the more beautiful and
attractive parts of this region for use as large
natural parks by our cities and as gathering
territory for their supply of wholesome
water, is a subject deserving of public
attention before it be too late to secure
them.
Inasmuch as the cities of Newark. JERSEY
City, Paterson and adjacent towns get their
drinking water from the Highlands. they
are interested in maintaining it in a forested
condition. The question Of some control
over it for the proper utilization of its waters
and its attractive scenic features, deserves
attention