NJAS Opinion: Fall, 2006
By Susan Kraham, Director of Policy and Counsel to the
President
In September 2006, Governor Corzine stated that his
"administration will embrace the values that bind us together -
equality, opportunity and fairness. And, we're going to make New
Jersey a better, more affordable place to live, to work and to
raise a family." Ensuring the long-term success of open space
and natural areas directly supports this goal by preserving New
Jersey's ecosystems and, as a result, improving our quality of
life and our economy. We need to call on the Governor, our
legislators, and elected and appointed officials to take a
strong stand for investment in our parks. Urge our legislative
leaders to create a source of funding for maintenance, operation
and stewardship of these areas and to ensure that we can
continue to acquire open space and preserve our historic sites
and farmland by renewing and strengthening the Garden State
Preservation Trust.
Here in New Jersey, the ecological treasures of the Delaware
Bayshore, the hilly expanse of the Sourlands in central Jersey,
and the open space and local parks in our cities and towns are
all parts of New Jersey's natural heritage and are vital to
ensuring a high-quality of life across the state. A commitment
to green infrastructure attracts and retains businesses and
fosters entrepreneurial growth. Businesses that support the
recreation industry are strengthened by careful planning for
sustainability. Well-maintained community natural areas boost
local economies by stabilizing property taxes, spurring
revitalization in urban communities, supporting area businesses,
creating professional jobs and providing a better quality of
life. In fact, New Jersey's $3.9 billion wildlife-related
recreation industry provides more than 37,000 jobs and generates
nearly $150 million in state tax revenue a year.
The key to long-term success is the strategic integration of
open spaces into the built environment and stewardship and
maintenance of those spaces whether in urban, suburban or rural
areas. Well-managed, maintained and accessible open spaces
improve the health of the natural environment, drinking water
quality and flood control in communities across the state.
These areas are also particularly important to urban
communities, spurring neighborhood reinvestment; providing
positive recreational alternatives that have a tendency to
decrease crime and, in general, increasing the appeal of
communities to businesses thus retaining and attracting those
businesses.
Urban parks also offer families alternatives to urban flight
and create opportunities for city residents to connect to
nature. Recent statistics make this point quite effectively.
Homebuyers are willing to pay more for developments with an
environmental focus and lots adjacent to
protected areas. The Wall Street Journal published the
results of a poll that showed 77% of homebuyers surveyed rated
natural open space as "extremely important." 74% of these
homebuyers also rated walking and biking paths as "extremely
important."
Failure to invest in open spaces can erode community health.
Population centers suffer from declining environmental quality
as park systems fail to address wildlife habitats, surface and
ground water quality, air quality and urban heat island
effects. Park deterioration undermines community stability, the
community's connection with nature and citizens' concern for the
environment as it becomes less relevant to their daily lives.
However, a comprehensive vision for open spaces in and around
cities would enhance economic vitality, connect people to the
natural world and increase the quality of life across society.
Philadelphia Green, an urban open space organization, succinctly
categorizes and summarizes these values:
Visual: Open spaces create an appealing environment that
provides relief from built-up urban surroundings.
Economic: Green spaces enhance a city's economic prospects by
increasing tourism, attracting reinvestment, and increasing
property values.
Environmental: Trees and other plants improve air quality,
absorb stormwater, improve water quality, and slow the formation
of ground-level ozone.
Social: Greening reduces crime, provides neighborhood
gathering places, and improves health by offering recreational
opportunities and improving the air and water.
There is simply no avoiding the conclusion that well-managed
open spaces are central to achieving sustainability in New
Jersey. We can accomplish this goal but to do so we need to act
- we must call on our legislators to create a stable source of
funding for acquisition, maintenance and operation of our open
spaces. We must insist that funding is shared equitably across
the state. We must work for redevelopment policies that make
the integration of neighborhood natural areas a prerequisite for
approval.
Imagine a world where every New Jersey resident has access to
a high-quality natural area in their community. In this world,
children spend their afternoons in the safe, well-maintained
park down the street from homes discovering nature and playing
with their friends. Together we can make this vision a reality,
and we can make New Jersey sustainable. To do otherwise risks
our quality of life and the quality of our ecosystem.
For more information and ideas about how to actively
participate in this critical campaign, go to
www.OutdoorRecreationAlliance.org. The Outdoor Recreation
Alliance (ORA) was founded by New Jersey Audubon Society and
represents over 70 statewide, local and regional organizations
ranging from sportsmen's groups and environmental organizations
to affordable housing and urban park advocate. These groups are
working together to secure a long-term stable source of funding
for capital projects, land acquisition and operation,
maintenance and stewardship of New Jersey's state and local
parks and natural heritage conservation.