Seton Hall Prepatory School is asking the West Orange, NJ Zoning Board to approve six (6) variances so that they may begin Phase 2 of their "Kelly Athletic Fields" expansion. The construction of these sports fields translates into the destruction of over 1,000 trees that make up the McClellan Old Growth Forest, located on Prospect Avenue in West Orange. This 17-acres of inhabited, forested land are a part of what was originally a 44-acre Old Growth Forest, and includes trees with ages in excess of 200-years, and animals including the Great Horned Owl, Red Tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, and Red Fox. It is a part of the Watchung Ridge, which connects Eagle Rock Reservation and South Mountain Reservation. SHP deceitfully cleared 20-acres of this forest in 1999 to develop Phase 1 of their athletic fields, and should the proposed additional clearing be approved, only 5-acres of this historic old growth forest will remain. (Amidst asphalt and sports fields.)
By signing this petition, you are supporting SHP Alumni and students, SHP neighbors, local residents, county residents, NJ residents, and any citizen who opposes the destruction of this beautiful natural resource, for the sole purpose of providing numerous additional sports fields, up to 700 parking spaces, permanent metal bleachers, a concession stand, 50 foot poles supporting 50 foot high netting, additional safety concerns for students walking along a county road, and limitless pollution, from idling buses and cars, to noise and litter, for a school which has other options. Thank you for your support. Together we can protect the last remaining, unprotected Old Growth Forest in the Metropolitan Region.
On the next page, you will be prompted to donate money. This donation DOES NOT GO TOWARDS SAVING THE FOREST. The fine prints states that the money goes to iPetition!
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
December 5, 2009
December 2, 2009
We are approaching 500 signatures before the zoning board hearing. Meeting this threshold is essential to establish our standing when I submit the formal protest letter to the planning office.
Reached 100 supporters
November 21, 2009
November 20, 2009
We are currently formatting the witness list for the upcoming Zoning Board session. Obtaining one hundred signatures provides the necessary threshold to demand formal entry of our petition into the official record.
6 Comments
MY KIDS LOVE SEEING THE HAWKS IN THOSE TREES. STOP THE DESTRUCTION NOW.
ridiculous. cant believe the zoning board would even consider this. keep our woods green.
This is just greed plain and simple. West Orange has enough fields already. Leave the trees alone for once.
Sad to see this happen to our town. Once those 200 year old trees are gone they are gone forever. Stop building over everything.
Enough with the sports fields already. The wildlife was there first and they deserve a home too. SHP needs to find somewhere else.
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Seton Hall Prepatory School is asking the West Orange, NJ Zoning Board to approve six (6) variances so that they may begin Phase 2 of their "Kelly Athletic Fields" expansion. The construction of these sports fields translates into the destruction of over 1,000 trees that make up the McClellan Old Growth Forest, located on Prospect Avenue in West Orange. This 17-acres of inhabited, forested land are a part of what was originally a 44-acre Old Growth Forest, and includes trees with ages in excess of 200-years, and animals including the Great Horned Owl, Red Tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, and Red Fox. It is a part of the Watchung Ridge, which connects Eagle Rock Reservation and South Mountain Reservation. SHP deceitfully cleared 20-acres of this forest in 1999 to develop Phase 1 of their athletic fields, and should the proposed additional clearing be approved, only 5-acres of this historic old growth forest will remain. (Amidst asphalt and sports fields.)
By signing this petition, you are supporting SHP Alumni and students, SHP neighbors, local residents, county residents, NJ residents, and any citizen who opposes the destruction of this beautiful natural resource, for the sole purpose of providing numerous additional sports fields, up to 700 parking spaces, permanent metal bleachers, a concession stand, 50 foot poles supporting 50 foot high netting, additional safety concerns for students walking along a county road, and limitless pollution, from idling buses and cars, to noise and litter, for a school which has other options. Thank you for your support. Together we can protect the last remaining, unprotected Old Growth Forest in the Metropolitan Region.
On the next page, you will be prompted to donate money. This donation DOES NOT GO TOWARDS SAVING THE FOREST. The fine prints states that the money goes to iPetition!
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
December 5, 2009
December 2, 2009
We are approaching 500 signatures before the zoning board hearing. Meeting this threshold is essential to establish our standing when I submit the formal protest letter to the planning office.
Reached 100 supporters
November 21, 2009
November 20, 2009
We are currently formatting the witness list for the upcoming Zoning Board session. Obtaining one hundred signatures provides the necessary threshold to demand formal entry of our petition into the official record.
6 Comments
It's all about the money and to hell with the residents and the health of our environment- disgraceful, Every day the ecology declines in health. If this clear-cutting is allowed to proceed it's just one more nail in the coffin.
MY KIDS LOVE SEEING THE HAWKS IN THOSE TREES. STOP THE DESTRUCTION NOW.
ridiculous. cant believe the zoning board would even consider this. keep our woods green.
This is just greed plain and simple. West Orange has enough fields already. Leave the trees alone for once.
Sad to see this happen to our town. Once those 200 year old trees are gone they are gone forever. Stop building over everything.
Enough with the sports fields already. The wildlife was there first and they deserve a home too. SHP needs to find somewhere else.
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It's all about the money and to hell with the residents and the health of our environment- disgraceful, Every day the ecology declines in health. If this clear-cutting is allowed to proceed it's just one more nail in the coffin.