Cosma Nature Area Entrance

Location: End of Cosma Place, a short street at the end of Lake Drive, which is a right turn off West Main Street

Cosma Nature Area Greenery/Open SpaceDescription:

Cosma Nature Area is a natural parkland with a 13-acre tract. The land is officially set aside for public use, and the hope is for the public to respect and enjoy the area. It is important to keep it free of litter in order to attract migrating birds and other small wildlife to admire while walking the tract.

History:

The path to the official opening of Cosma Nature Area was a long, bumpy road. In 1971, the Mendham Borough Board of Education purchased the tract as a possible future school site. It eventually proved unsuitable for school use and gradually became a neglected lot that was being used as an illegal dumping site for brush, building debris, and other trash. Other uses for the property, such as athletic fields or a running track, were proposed but again, did not prove workable for various reasons, such as slope, drainage, access, and parking problems.

Opening of Cosma Nature AreaIn 2003, the school board leased the tract to the municipality for $1, with a 99-year renewable lease. Officials said the long-neglected property could be put to use as a natural area for residents. The Borough Environmental Commission took steps to return the land to its natural state as much as possible, including planting native species. In 2011, a civic-minded local family, the Skuratons, along with Environmental Commission members, did a major cleanup. Then in the spring of 2012, the Environmental Commission received a grant from the Somerset Hills Garden Club to purchase seven native species trees, including four white dogwoods and three pin oaks. On tree planting day, 20 student volunteers from Mountain View Middle School got their exercise wielding shovels and digging holes.

“Now it’s an attractive place where residents can stroll, walk the grassy loop trail, birdwatch, observe trees, shrubs, and wildflowers native to our state, and maybe have a pack-in, pack-out picnic,” said Laurie Felber, former chairwoman of the Environmental Commission, when the park opened in October of 2013.

 

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