Here's the latest plan for Developing
the Jail area
within the reservation.

B I N G O

How many
Birds,Insects,
plants or
animals can you
find at
the Hilltop Reservation?

Click here to download a:

Backyard Bingo Card

Hilltop Grasshopper Kid's Bike Race,
All were Winners

Images of each racer are available at Hilltop Biking

Thanks to all the kids and parents who came out to compete and watch the first kid's only bike race in the Hilltop Reservation on Saturday. In addition to the locals from the Caldwell's and Verona, racers came from all over NJ. Congratulations to E Bossaert and J Rogaki, both of North Caldwell and C Smith of Verona for earning a place on the podium. And special thanks to all the volunteers who made this event flow smoothly. There was lots of great competition between 50+ entrants combined with outstanding sportsmanship. Who knew there were so many fast kids in this area!
The kid's course for the race is always available for anyone to enjoy and practice on, look for it near the North Caldwell sports field parking lot. If you missed this year's Hilltop Grasshopper Kid's Race, we hope to see you next August.

Happy Cycling

Hilltop Grasshopper Organizers

It's About Honeybees!

The June 26th event 'Its About Honey Bees', sponsored by the Hilltop Conservancy at the Hilltop Honey apiary, was attended by more than 35 children and adults. Some folks watched from a screened tent while others took their chances as Joe Lelinho, NJ Beekeepers Association member and Blue Ribbon Honey winner showed them a frame full of worker bees and the queen herself.

Hi everyone:

The County has agreed to sponsor a Green Acres grant for the much-needed (and long-awaited) improvements to the Hilltop Reservation's western route.
The scope of the grant includes grading, repair and resurfacing of the route, as well as restoration of wildlife habitat along the way, and in the 4-6 acres of open wetland that abut sections of the route.

The general timeline of the current Green Acres grant process is as follows:

  • Conservancy application has been submitted
  • All applications will be reviewed in Fall 2010 buy the Green Acres committee
  • Decisions made and grants awarded by October 2010
  • Estimates, detailed planning, approvals, etc. obtained Winter 2010 / Spring 2011

Theresa Trapp Treasurer

Reservation Map in Portable Document Format (PDF)

Please report any problems on a trail to the
Vice President
of the conservancy

Plans for 2010
    Summer:
  • May 15 - Family Bike ride
  • June 26 - "It's About Honey Bees" at Hilltop Honey
    Fall:
  • October 16,Sunday - Cedar Grove/Verona Hilltop Reservation
    Union County Hiking Club Planned Hilltop Hike
  • Hold meadow restoration unveiling
  • Work with County to obtain Green Acres grant to upgrade western entrance and route
  • Install information kiosks/wildlife habitat education signage
    Ongoing:
  • Complete remaining tasks for meadow restoration project
  • Trail marking, building, maintenance and mapping
Anne Stires,
President,
The Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.

Mission Statement

Dear Hilltoppers:

Thank you so much for your support of the Hilltop Reservation and your past help and friendship to its Conservancy. We have been able to accomplish good things and make many improvements to the park, which we couldn't have done without your assistance.

The work goes on -- see our 2010 Plans. To help continue this great work, we need both your continued support and your membership dues this year. Over 90% our funding comes from membership dues -- local residents like you provide the financial resources for us to conduct many events on the Hilltop, including: trash & debris clean-ups; school / scout outings; bird / nature hikes; trail building & maintenance; and wildlife habitat restoration projects.

In addition, your contributions help us work with the County and other municipal authorities to ensure continued public access to the Reservation, and to move forward with efforts to upgrade its western entrance and route.

Amounts for 2010 dues are: -- single membership: $20 -- family membership: $35

Please make your check out to "Hilltop Conservancy, Inc." and mail it (care of me) to :

Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.
c/o Theresa Trapp, Treasurer
34 Depot Street
Verona, NJ 07044
Your financial support is GREATLY appreciated, and will allow us to continue our all-volunteer efforts to use, care for and improve the Hilltop Reservation.
Thank you!!

TMT


The Hilltop Conservancy officers and trustees have decided to
NOT hold regular general membership monthly meetings during 2010.

The work of the Conservancy will continue however,
and we hope to organize events as we did last year.

Be sure to check your email box, your local paper and here for news and volunteer opportunities.
We continue to need your help and support. Indeed... now as much as ever before!

Yours truly,
Anne Stires President,
The Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.

Tribute (Photos, then and now)


Western / Courter Lane entrance

Topological map Submit YOUR photo
for consideration for posting on our website. 		Development
Concept Plan

Older news

You can learn about the Hilltop and join us in making a difference.

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Essex County New Jersey communities of North Caldwell Cedar Grove West Caldwell Caldwell Verona Essex County

Programs being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center


Links of interest:
Trails Birds Commonly Found at Hilltop *
Birding Checklist

West Essex Birding

Plant identification and information site.
Montclair Community Wildlife Habitat Project Essex Mountain Sanatorium Friends of Clark's Pond and Third River Conservancy Geocaching

Minutes from a Recent meeting.
email the
Executive Committee
President:Anne Stires Vice President: Geordie Smith
Treasurer: Theresa Trapp Secretary: Brian Glennon

Mission Statement

The Hilltop Conservancy, Inc. is a non-profit organization recognized by the IRS (under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) and by the State of New Jersey as a public charity qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.
The State of New Jersey requires charities that solicit funds from the public to register with the New Jersey agency regulating charities. If you desire a copy of Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.'s financial report you may write to: Hilltop Conservancy, Inc. Treasurer@HilltopConservancy.org
or,
because we are registered with the State of New Jersey, Information filed with the attorney general concerning our charitable registration may be obtained from the attorney general of the state of New Jersey by calling (973) 504-6215. Registration with the attorney general does not imply endorsement.


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