A sign welcomes residents to the future site of the Rova Farms recreation facility in Jackson Township. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
JACKSON – Volunteers from three township tree service firms recently did some chopping of dead trees and pruning of others to preserve some of the history of the historic Rova Farms property.
That land, purchased by the township several years ago, is being developed into a passive recreation area and it has taken some time to make it useable by the public.
An old nightclub was torn down last year to make way for some of its uses and on a frosty Monday morning, volunteers from local tree firms arrived while representatives of Morgan Engineering, whose principal is Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi, were conducting surveys on the property, to bring the land closer to its next phase.
Councilman Steve Chisholm, who owns Aspen Tree Service, oversaw the project and met up with the volunteers to do a walkthrough and form a plan for the day. Jackson High School students involved with the Jackson TV program came later to record some of the activities for a video that would illustrate the transformation of the property when it opens up to the public later this year.
Jackson Councilman Steve Chisholm, the co-chair of the Rova Farms Advisory Board and owner of Aspen Tree Service at left, provides a briefing to volunteers for the tree clearing beautification project at the Rova Farms property. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“We have members of Aspen Tree Experts, Phil’s Tree Service and K & L Tree Experts and a couple of members from (Jackson) Public Works Department and some students from JTV will be here. We would normally be here at 8 a.m. but then they (JTV students) would get here and they’d have nothing to take pictures of because it would all be done,” said Councilman Chisholm who also serves as vice chair of the Rova Farms Advisory Board.
“JTV has been documenting the history of the park. They were here for Rova Day and for a few other things like when they tore down the building,” he added.
The volunteers brought in a number of their trucks and equipment. “Right at the edge of the woods there is a trail that we will be clearing. We aren’t going anywhere near the lake,” Chisholm said. As to how many trees were set to be cut, he told The Jackson Times, “Probably about a dozen, the rest we’ll be pruning.”
He told the volunteers, “The plan is to turn this nice piece of property into a nice park for everybody. There will eventually be a nice museum over here with historic items from the (nearby Orthodox) Russian Church and the restaurant. We are looking to have a boat ramp for people who want to do some kayaking and canoeing.”
A member of the Morgan Engineering staff surveys the Rova Farms property site during the morning of the tree clearing project, completing work there that had not previously been finished. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“There will be a fishing pier and a nice walking trail. We are looking to have an amphitheater throughout the middle here that will give an opportunity for some music, live on the lake like they used to do back in the day. Back then we even had Mr. (Bruce) Springsteen play here when he was a nobody so we are open to give the kids – especially the high schoolers – an opportunity for acting and plays here,” he added.
Chisholm said, “eventually the vision for this is to make it a nice usable spot so the first stage is to make it a little bit nicer, prettier, beautify things and make the other trees safe. We’ll do a walk around and see what might be a safety concern. Mostly it will be a dozen smaller removals, the biggest being a dead spruce.”
“Everything else will be maintenance including some of the large trees that have been here for a long time. That sycamore over there is kind of the crown jewel. Some of this was once asphalt. We are going to do whatever it is we need to do and work safe,” he said.
The volunteers and DPW staff removed decades of unkept underbrush, dead trees, and dangerous tree limbs from the property during the rest of the morning.
According to the township, this cleanup will not only save taxpayers money but will beautify the land before the groundbreaking of the new park amenities in the near future.
Reving up a chain saw, a volunteer prunes a branch of a tree at Rova Farms during a recent cleanup effort. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Mayor Michael Reina said, “Rova Farms is a key part of Jackson Township’s cultural history. People from around the world used to spend their summers here because of its natural beauty and scenic views. When we’re done, it will be a park for everyone in Jackson and beyond to enjoy.”
Council President Jennifer Kuhn thanked the companies who donated their services to the community. “Thank you to Councilman Chisholm for spearheading this cleanup and for ensuring that everything was organized and ready.”
“When the community here in Jackson comes together for a cause, nothing is impossible. That’s just the first step in transforming the land into a park,” she added.
Councilman Mordechai Burnstein also thanked the tree companies for “rolling up their sleeves and helping out. This cleanup restored the charm that lured thousands to Rova Farms during the mid-twentieth century.”
Councilman Nino Borrelli also appreciated the work that was done that day. “I’m excited for what’s in store at Rova Park. I want to thank the professional tree companies for their generosity, volunteering their time and efforts at the future Rova Park site.”
A volunteer from one of the three tree services in Jackson is up a tree doing some pruning as part of a clearing and beautification project at Rova Farms in preparation for its eventual use as a public recreation area. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“I also want to thank the Jackson DPW and JTV students for their work at the site too. Volunteerism is alive and well in Jackson and helps make our town a great one. I’m thankful for Councilman Chisholm and the residents on the Rova Park committee for the time they’ve put in over the last couple of years,” he added.
Borrelli added, “they’ve come up with a great plan and vision to preserve this special, historical area of our town. I’ve been a big proponent for parks, open space, and more recreational opportunities for residents so I can’t wait to see the final product at Rova.”
Councilman Scott Sargent was also sought for comment by The Jackson Times for this article but at press time, no response was received.
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