The Municipality of Princeton finalized the acquisition of the 90-acre “Lanwin” tract on December 30, 2024, preserving the largest remaining undeveloped land in Princeton as public Open Space for future generations to enjoy.
Council President Mia Sacks and former Councilmember Eve Niedergang, alongside Municipal Administrator Bernard Hvozdovic, coordinated a model public-private partnership to secure the purchase.
This effort brought together the Municipality of Princeton and a consortium of area nonprofits, including the Watershed Institute, Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), the Ridgeview Conservancy, and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. This partnership underscores Princeton’s commitment to fostering strong collaborations to achieve shared goals for community benefit.
“Conservation efforts such as these reaffirm Council’s dedication to acting boldly on climate change, as the preserved ecosystems provide carbon sequestration, natural flood mitigation, improved water quality, and stormwater management,” said Council President Mia Sacks. “In a state where land preservation opportunities are especially rare, it is imperative that we work collaboratively to save vital ecological resources.”
The 90-acre tract will be integrated into a larger network of walkable and bikeable public trails as part of Princeton’s initiative to connect green spaces. The land lies in close proximity to additional Open Space preservations like Herrontown Woods and Autumn Hill. This strategic acquisition builds on the recent preservation of the larger “Lanwin” tract — 153-Acre Wood — which opened to the public last fall through a collaboration between the municipality and its consortium partners.
“Preserving the 90-acre tract doesn’t just protect old-growth forests, wetlands, vernal ponds, streams, and critical habitats for endangered animals,” explained Princeton Open Space Manager Inga Reich. “It is a lasting investment in Princeton’s future, ensuring all Princetonians can enjoy the physical and mental well-being these preserved woods provide for generations to come.”
The Municipality was able to secure the 90-acre tract by utilizing Open Space funds and leveraging strong community partnerships. Of the $9 million total cost, the municipality contributed just $1,792,500 through the Open Space Trust Fund and $1,297,500 in Princeton’s Green Acres funds. The remaining funds came from a combination of external sources, including an additional $1.95 million from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program awarded to the acquisition partners, $1.6 million from Mercer County’s Open Space Preservation Assistance Program and another $500,000 in direct funding from Mercer County, $860,000 in private donations led by the Watershed Institute, and a $1 million gift from the Estate of Bryce Thompson IV to FOPOS.
This collaborative approach highlights Princeton’s efforts to share costs and work with partners to achieve community goals. “I’m proud that Mercer County could play a pivotal role supporting Princeton’s acquisition of the 90-acre ‘Lanwin’ tract,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “This purchase protects a piece of environmentally sensitive land from development, and it demonstrates what we can achieve with collaboration between every level of government.”
