New recreational fields at Tamarack Park

Byram — On Saturday, May 13, Byram officials will cut the ceremonial ribbon for the grand opening of the Township’s new recreational fields at Tamarack Park, officially making the 10-acre park available for the public’s recreational enjoyment.
Located at 10 Jones Lane, off Route 206, Tamarack Park includes two multi-purpose sports fields, the larger of which has dimensions of 360 feet long and 215 feet wide, while the smaller field measures 180 feet by 100 feet.
Tamarack Park is the active recreation component of 222 acres known as the Tamarack Greenway. Byram Township owns 69 acres of the preserved property outright, while 153 acres have been preserved through a conservation and public-access easement.
“Given Byram’s rugged landscape, it is difficult to find a large, relatively flat, contiguous area to develop fields for our recreation programs,” stated Mayor Jim Oscovitch. “Acquisition of the Tamarack Greenway and construction of the fields at Tamarack Park protects and preserves the natural beauty of Byram, and gave us the necessary space for new recreational fields that our youth and adults can enjoy.”
Acquisition of the Tamarack Greenway property – which utilized Byram’s Open Space tax in partnership with County, State and private funding – was completed in 2010 for $4,150,000, with the breakdown of funding sources as follows:
NJ DEP Green Acres Program $2,025,000.00
New Jersey Conservation Foundation 1,400,000.00
Sussex County Open Space Fund 512,000.00
Byram Township Open Space Fund 163,000.00
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey 50,000.00
Funding for the construction of improvements for these new active-recreation fields was provided through the Township’s Open Space Fund.
“These are the first new active recreational fields created in Byram Township in nearly 15 years,” stated Recreation Director Janet Meisner. “I love that parents will be able to bring their kids to practice and take advantage of our trail system to get in some physical activity while their children are practicing. It’s a great marriage of active and passive recreation in one location.”
The parking area for the fields at Tamarack Park also provides a convenient access point for Byram’s network of trails.
“From the park trailhead, hikers can enjoy public trails extending East along the Tamarack Greenway to C.O. Johnson Park – the Township’s largest active recreational facility,” stated Charlie Kranz, Byram’s Recreation Committee Chairman. “Between Tamarack Park and C.O. Johnson Park, the public can explore nature for miles and miles.”
Hikers can also choose to branch off the Tamarack Greenway Trail to the South at Johnson Lake, and hike up to Cranberry Overlook.
“Tamarack Park – with its connections to Byram’s trail network – features magnificent scenery, showcasing the beauty of the New Jersey Highlands,” commented Open Space Chairman Ray Bonker. “Spectacular views of Cranberry Lake and the Delaware Water Gap from scenic overlooks make for great hiking, and really illustrates how Byram is the ‘Township of Lakes’.”
“The members of the Planning Board would like to congratulate all involved in this project,” stated Planning Board Chairman George Shivas. “These new fields and trails will bring many hours of enjoyment to residents of Byram, and provide an excellent place for people to get outside for exercise. Additionally, the project helps the Township meet some of the objectives of our master plan.”
While these park improvements address the growing demand for active recreation in Byram Township, the Tamarack Greenway project also creates an excellent point of entry for people throughout the region to enjoy the Township’s vast natural resources, and aids in economic growth.
“The park’s location – literally across the road from Allamuchy Mountain State Park and the Sussex Branch Trail – provides an easy point of access for the region’s trail network, and a way to enjoy the natural beauty of Byram,” according to Councilman and Open Space Committee member Scott Olson. “Our town is truly a unique eco-tourism destination in northern New Jersey. With a vast trail system that traverses a wide variety of terrain including lakes, rivers and mountaintops, the public can visit Byram and enjoy nature at its finest.”
Members of the public are encouraged to come out and enjoy the park!