Resident says grassroots effort persuaded county to scale back Clark Reservoir plan; council urged to monitor county land

Alan Swanson of 47 Overhill Road used the public-comment portion of the New Providence Borough Council meeting to ask for a copy of the borough's complaint to New Jersey Transit and to recount a multi-year local campaign concerning Clark Reservoir.

"It was actually used as a reservoir, but it was abandoned as such decades ago," Swanson said, describing a county plan he said once envisioned an amusement-park-style redevelopment with extensive parking and paved paths. He told the council that a grassroots citizen committee and outreach to environmental groups prompted the county to substantially scale the plan back. "Amusement park, gone," Swanson said, adding that the county now plans lower-impact surfacing such as wood chips and has agreed to protect forested areas.

Swanson thanked the borough for filing a complaint to New Jersey Transit about a recurring train issue and asked for a copy of that complaint to keep with his records. He urged the council and local environmental bodies to keep pressure on county processes so residents are informed about planned uses of county-owned land in New Providence.

Council members responded with historical context. Matt (planning board) recalled that 15 years ago the county considered purchasing Oakwood Park and that a strong resident response led to a referendum that kept the park under borough control. The exchange emphasized the effectiveness of resident engagement and the need for continued local oversight of county-owned properties.

The public hearing closed afterward and the council proceeded to a recorded vote on a later agenda item.