08/28/2026
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denville Secures Landmark St. Francis Property, Preserving Nearly 50 Acres for Future Generations
DENVILLE, N.J. – One of the largest land preservation efforts in Denville's history reached a major milestone this week as the Township officially acquired the first 17 acres of the historic St. Francis property, marking the beginning of the permanent preservation of nearly 50 acres in the heart of our community.
The newly acquired parcel, located at the corner of Diamond Spring Road and Pocono Road, is the first phase of a landmark acquisition that will protect one of Denville's most recognizable and historically significant properties from future development. The Township expects to complete the purchase of the remaining 33-acre parcel in October. The second phase slated for October includes the property's historic barns, athletic fields, and festival grounds, bringing the total preserved acreage to approximately 50 acres.
The acquisition was made possible through grants from the Morris County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, the New Jersey Green Acres Program, and the Denville Open Space and Recreation Trust Fund.
"This is truly a once-in-a-generation achievement for our community," said Mayor Tom Andes. "Preserving a property of this size and importance in the center of Denville is an opportunity that may never come again. Thanks to our funding partners and the commitment of Denville residents to open space preservation, this remarkable property will remain a public asset to be enjoyed for generations to come."
The St. Francis property has been part of Denville’s history for more than 130 years. Originally part of the historic Glover estate, known as Rockaway Farms, the land was later associated with Jeremiah G. Hamilton, the prominent 19th-century Wall Street investor, and Louis Fenn Wadsworth, one of the “Forefathers of Baseball.” In the early 20th century, it became home to the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and later the St. Francis Residential Community. For decades, the Pocono Road property and Festival Grounds hosted St. Clare’s Hospital and St. Francis festivals, becoming a cherished community gathering place.
Although most of the institutional buildings were demolished following the property's sale in 2022, the historic barns, open fields, woodlands, and scenic landscape remain. Their preservation ensures that one of Denville's most significant historic landscapes will continue to serve the public rather than be lost to development.
Beyond preserving history, the acquisition protects one of the Township's last remaining large open spaces while preserving wildlife habitat, environmentally sensitive lands, and scenic vistas. Township officials envision the property as a destination that blends conservation with recreation, including preserved athletic fields on the Pocono Road property, walking trails and passive recreation on the St. Francis Property and the eventual restoration of the historic barns as a potential future community center.
"This acquisition is more than preserving land," Mayor Andes said. "It is about preserving Denville's history, protecting our environment, expanding recreational opportunities, and creating a place where future generations can gather, celebrate, and enjoy everything that makes our Township special."
Mayor Andes also thanked Springpoint, Morris County, and the State of New Jersey for their partnership in making the acquisition possible. "This investment protects not only open space, but an important piece of Denville's identity," Andes said. "It is a legacy that today's residents are preserving for tomorrow."
With the first phase of the acquisition now complete and the final closing for the Pocono Property anticipated this fall, Denville is preserving nearly 50 acres at one of the Township's busiest intersections—ensuring that this extraordinary landscape, its rich history, and its community traditions will remain a public asset for generations to come.
