Local teens organize climate change rally outside West Orange Town Hall

Local teens organize climate change rally outside West Orange Town Hall

WEST ORANGE, NJ  West Orange residents gathered outside Town Hall on Feb. 20 for a climate change rally led by students, complete with a composting demonstration by Roosevelt Middle School’s Environmental Club. Spurred on by the rockslide that caused the Ron Jolyn apartment complex to be evacuated after flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida […]

Keeping West Orange green by planting new trees

Keeping West Orange green by planting new trees

WEST ORANGE, NJ — On Saturday, May 8, West Orange students joined Councilman Bill Rutherford in handing out 700 trees. The tree recovery event, which took place at Washington and Gregory elementary schools, was organized by Our Green West Orange to replace the trees lost during Superstorm Sandy.

Amphitheater project halted in wake of COVID

Amphitheater project halted in wake of COVID

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped large gatherings from happening, Essex County residents spent months protesting a proposed 500-seat amphitheater to be built in the South Mountain Reservation northeast of the penguin pavilion at Turtle Back Zoo. As recently as March, residents held events at the entrance to the zoo, asking the […]

Area residents, youths protest zoo expansion

Students speak out against proposed amphitheater at Turtle Back Zoo

Area residents, youths protest zoo expansion

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously passed a resolution that authorized the county Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to apply to the state for a $4 million grant for the proposed “conservation pavilion,” a 500-seat amphitheater to be built in the South Mountain Reservation northeast of the […]

Community comes out in force to oppose amphitheater plan

Residents call for conservation of reservation land; Adams misses TC meeting to speak out against plan

Community comes out in force to oppose amphitheater plan

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — Essex County officials held a public meeting on Jan. 21 about the proposed “conservation pavilion,” a 500-seat amphitheater to be built on the South Mountain Reservation northeast of the penguin pavilion at the Turtle Back Zoo. The meeting, held at the Essex County Police Academy in Cedar Grove, saw more than […]

WO Planning Board recommends changes to amphitheater plan

Maplewood officials discuss reservations about project

WO Planning Board recommends changes to amphitheater plan

WEST ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The West Orange Planning Board made seven recommendations to Essex County when the plan for a 500-seat amphitheater was presented at a Jan. 8 courtesy hearing featuring three witnesses and extensive questioning from the public. The Planning Board does not approve or deny county applications; the Board of Chosen […]

ZB hears about plant plans at Essex Green

ZB hears about plant plans at Essex Green

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Zoning Board of Adjustment heard another hour of testimony about the revised site plan for the redevelopment of the Essex Green Shopping Center at its Jan. 17 meeting, and again did not vote after determining there would not be enough time to consider the plan at the meeting […]

Our Green West Orange holds walk and talk in Essex Green

WEST ORANGE, NJ — On Jan. 13, Our Green West Orange members hosted an Essex Green Walk and Talk, led by Kevin Malanga and Gary Van Wyck, to show West Orange residents what OGWO finds to be deficiencies in Clarion Partners proposed plans for Essex Green Shopping Center, which is currently being considered at public […]