South Orange Village voters approved a referendum increasing the Open Space Tax Levy, currently set at $0.01/per $100 of assessed value, to support the preservation and enhancement of parks, recreational facilities, and natural areas. This increase aims to provide long-term funding dedicated to park improvements and environmental conservation efforts that benefit our community, such as the Cameron Recreation Area Improvements, scheduled to begin this spring (scan the QR code below to view the schematics). Other examples are: the River Greenway Project, Crest Drive Park improvements, Founders Park improvements, Farrell Field court improvements, new lights in Meadowland Park, Chyzowych Field improvements, Grove Park improvements and playground accessibility modifications.
What is an Open Space Trust Fund Referendum?
This is a voter-approved initiative that provides funding “dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of open spaces, farmland, historic sites, and recreational areas” in New Jersey. These referendums allow municipalities and counties to establish or renew dedicated funding sources, typically through a small property-tax levy, to support land acquisition, land improvements, conservation, and stewardship efforts.
The Open Space Trust Fund aims to:
Preserve environmentally sensitive lands and water resources
Maintain and improve parks, recreational facilities, and trails
Protect farmland and historic sites from development
Enhance community resilience against flooding and climate change.
This vote helps sustain South Orange’s commitment to environmental stewardship and quality-of-life improvements.
The municipality held a series of public meetings to discuss the proposed referendum, answer questions, and gather feedback from residents. We encourages participation from all community members, including local park conservancies, environmental groups, and other stakeholders, to ensure that we are reflecting the priorities of our residents.
To learn more, download or view FAQs here and view video recordings of the prior Town Halls:
March 25, 2025:
July 24, 2025 Virtual Town Hall
OSTF FAQs - Download or view here
Gaslight Fall 2025 Special Issue - OSTF EXPLAINED