A Natural Draw ; Passaic Towns Talk of Marketing Their Beauty to Tourists

By JAMES YOO, STAFF WRITER

West Milford has its parks and lakes, Ringwood its manors and garden, and Bloomingdale a historic Revolutionary War hill and a state forest.

Officials say it makes sense and hopefully cents to promote ecotourism regionally.

“Why not Bloomingdale? Why not Ringwood? Let’s all help out,” said Alfred Lavoie, chairman of Bloomingdale’s Economic Development Commission.

Though it’s only in the talking stage, Lavoie is suggesting that if the towns market their tourism together, that would bring in more people to eat at their restaurants and shop in their stores.

The northern Passaic County towns hamstrung by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act that restricts heavy development are searching for ratables.

Lavoie said he hopes to be able to talk officials in West Milford, Ringwood and Wanaque into promoting tourism regionally.

West Milford tourism commissioner Paul Bailey said he also thinks area towns should promote their sites under one name and suggested that it could include Highlands towns in other counties.

Bill O’Hearn, conservation and advocacy director for the New York- New Jersey Trail Conference, thinks it’s a good idea.

“There’s so much to see,” he said, “but you have to be able to tie it together and make it user-friendly for tourists.”

Here are some of the sites tourists would see:

BLOOMINGDALE: Norvin Green State Forest

Why go?: There are hiking trails and bird-watching opportunities. Visitors can also pay a visit to the Weis Ecology Center where they can take classes to learn about the flora and fauna. Call the center at 973-835-2160 for more information about their programs.

Also: Federal Hill (It was one of several outposts used to monitor British troops during the Revolutionary War. Soldiers also tried to stage a mutiny that was quashed by George Washington.)

RINGWOOD: Ringwood State Forest

Why go?: Visitors can hike on a number of trails, hunt, fish, boat, or picnic. There’s also Ringwood Manor, Skylands Manor and the state Botanical Gardens. Call the state park office at 973-962-7031 for more information.

Also: Ramapo Mountain State Forest

WEST MILFORD: Greenwood Lake

Why go?: Picnic, swim or boat the county’s largest lakes. After a drawdown lowered water levels for stump removal work, water levels should rise back to normal as the rains return.

Also: Abram S. Hewitt State Forest, Apshawa Tract, Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Tranquility Ridge Park, Wawayanda State Park, Wanaque Wildlife Management Area

WANAQUE: Ramapo Lake

Why go?: Visitors can fish or picnic at the lake. There are also nearby hiking trails.

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E-mail: yoo@northjersey.com

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(c) 2007 Record, The; Bergen County, N.J.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.