Hilltop Conservancy: 2009 Report of Activities and Accomplishments

Dear Hilltoppers:
Following is a list of the Hilltop Conservancy's accomplishments in 2009.
Bravo to all who helped make this impressive list a reality.
Thank you!
Let me know if you have any questions.
Treasurer: Theresa Trapp The Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.

~~ 2009 Accomplishments ~~
Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.

Park Maintenance and Security:

March 6^th -- annual spring clean-up and debris removal, along western route
Summer
- Worked with Verona DPW, developers and Parks Department to resolve lock and access issues at the Fairview Avenue entrance
- Worked with Cenrose and KHov to clear litter and debris from Verona apartment construction site
September -- Worked with Parks Department to remove bike jumps constructed in the northeastern section of the park, and a fort in the meadow area

Good News for Good Works:

April -- The Hilltop Conservancy, Inc. is presented with Verona Mayors Charity Ball Honoree award

Local Awareness Raising Efforts:

January -- Worked with local western residents to request more Hilltop-related coverage from The Progress newspaper
February -- Anne Stires presented a thank you letter to the Verona town council for their Fall 2008 gift of 500+ native wildflower plugs
May -- Hosted table at Caldwell EcoFair
Summer -- Distributed Hilltop brochures and maps to park visitors (ad hoc)
All year -- Responded to inquiries and requests for additional information from park and website visitors

Trails Network:

Continued membership in the NY NJ Trails Conference
August -- Developed new trail near eastern entrance
September
- Completed map-making effort with Essex County College students as part of their GIS course work and creation of a greater green space project
- Posted new map on website for downloading
Fall -- Cleared trails, installed bridge on Spruce trail, continued improvements to trail marking and routing
November
- Held trail maintenance event to clear all trails of leaves for the winter
- Conducted site visit and improvement planning session with Cedar Grove Boy Scouts at Dalewood Road access point
- December -- Applied for grant from the NJ DEP Recreational Trails program for interpretive signage

Meadow Restoration Project:

January -- Applied topsoil, wood chips over rocky areas to promote re-vegetation
April -- Conducted rock clearing and native grass and wildflower seeding events with volunteers from Ricoh USA, West Caldwell
May -- Cleared and seeded southwestern corner of meadow site (previously blocked by construction silt fence and service road work)
June-- Transplanted shade tolerant grasses and wildflowers
July
- Worked with local contractor to fill and smooth old demolition trench
- Worked with local volunteers to cut meadow path overgrowth
August-- Received gift of native wildflower plants from Garretson Forge and Farm Restoration Inc. of Fairlawn
October -- Seeded and mulched former parking lot area
November-- Transplanted native wildflowers, spread topsoil, and continued native wildflower seeding
December-- Applied topsoil, wood chips to stony areas to promote re-vegetation

Western Entrance and Route:

January -- Gathered 200+ signatures from local residents for letter to County in support of western route improvements
February, March -- Worked with local residents to publish letters to the editor and contact the County about why the route was not being improved
April -- Conducted site visits with KHov and County to discuss fix / options for detention basin run-off
June -- Collaborated with County and KHov to finalize run-off fix method
July -- Removed trees, branches, brush and weeds to clear route for construction
August
- Dug trench and laid boards to dry out route prior to construction work
- Worked with County and KHov to repair road shoulder / dig swale in order to re-route detention basin run-off back into nearby wetland
- Conducted event with Ricoh USA and Conservancy volunteers to spread 15 truckloads of wood chips over first 1/3 of the route
October, November
- Filled muddy trench at end of route with large rocks to form base of service ramp / driveway for Parks Department
- Worked with local contractor to purchase and distribute 20+ tons of crushed stone to complete service ramp / driveway
- Spread 12 truckloads of wood chips over second 1/3 of route
- Requested new kiosk installation from County and North Caldwell

Number of Members, Allmembers and Interested Parties on MailingList:

193 by 2009 year end