A plan to divide and preserve a portion of Hoge Farm was presented to the Hopewell Borough Planning Board on August 6. The proposal, prepared by Mercer County officials including Land Preservation Coordinator Cindy Taylor, would create a public open space and extend the Lawrence Hopewell Trail to the borough.
The county is working with the family that has owned the property since the 1940s to subdivide the land. About six acres would remain in private ownership as a working farm, while roughly eight acres would be preserved by the county for open space and governmental purposes.
Funding for the acquisition is being pursued through Green Acres, New Jersey’s state-run land preservation program. Monday’s meeting served as the required public consultation for the project.
“This plan is a collaboration opportunity,” said Mayor Ryan Kennedy. He noted that the county and its nonprofit partners will avoid the cost of a formal subdivision by executing the division by deed, a move that will save time and money while preserving more land overall.
Mercer County also plans to coordinate with The Watershed Institute to manage deer populations on the site. Public hunting will be permitted with proper approvals, and signage will be posted accordingly. Horseback riding will be allowed, although riders are advised to check land conditions before visiting.
Officials aim to complete the eight-acre land acquisition by the end of the year. Green Acres signage and fencing will be installed to delineate the preserved land from the remaining private parcel. Public access will be granted soon after closing.
In other action, the council unanimously approved two property changes: an expansion at 7 South Lanning Avenue and the replacement of garage doors at 104 West Broad Street.
