Editing Chester Township, New Jersey (section)

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Cooper Mill.JPG|thumb|right|Nathan Cooper Gristmill]]
[[File:Nathan_Cooper_Gristmill,_Chester_Township,_NJ_-_looking_west.jpg|thumb|right|Looking west at [[Nathan Cooper Gristmill|Cooper Gristmill]] at [[Black River County Park]]]]

{{Quote frame |quote=Of the township's {{convert|29.8|sqmi|km2}}, 42%, or about {{convert|12|sqmi|km2}}, is permanently protected from development. There are nature reserves and parkland, but also agricultural property that is deed restricted under the state Farmland Preservation Program, which buys the development rights while allowing the farmer to retain title and continue working the land.<ref name="Cheslow">Cheslow, Jerry. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/realestate/24livi.html "Don't Count on Running Into the Neighbors"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', June 24, 2007. Accessed January 19, 2015.</ref>|width=45%}}

Chester has been described as a rural environment that caters to "agritourism." The township has developed this reputation by preserving farmland through public investment in open spaces.<ref name="Cheslow"/>

The township's parks and preserves are free and open to the public. Parks include:

* '''Chubb Park:''' An {{convert|85|acre|ha|adj=on}} area with playing fields, skating, ponds, and sledding.<ref name="Chester">[http://chestertownship.org/township-committees/parks/township-parks/ Township Parks], Chester Township. Accessed January 19, 2015.</ref>
* '''Tiger Brook Park:''' Purchased with the assistance of the New Jersey Green Acres Program in 1980, this {{convert|270|acre|km2|adj=on}} preserve contains a {{convert|10|acre|m2|adj=on}} reservoir.<ref name="Chester"/>
* '''Hacklebarney State Park:''' This {{convert|890|acre|ha|adj=on}} park was established in 1924 with the donation of {{convert|32|acre|m2}}. The Black River, which bisects the park, is one of the premier trout fishing streams in New Jersey.<ref name="Chester"/>
* '''Black River Fish and Wildlife Management Area:''' This area consists of {{convert|3020|acre|ha sqmi}} in the northern portion of the Township. It was purchased under the Green Acres Acquisition Program for recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, canoeing, cross-country skiing and hiking.<ref name="Cheslow"/>
* '''Highlands Ridge Park:''' Former Bell Laboratories Outdoor Research Lab. Site of the 'Telephone Pole Farm' and current headquarters of the New Jersey Highlands Council, a 15-member appointed body tasked with implementation of the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004.

Development is highly constrained due to state and township ordinances. The entire township is located in the New Jersey Highlands with approximately 86% of the land area designated as part of the more highly constrained Highlands Preservation Area. This environmentally sensitive area supplies drinking water to two-thirds of the state's residents. In 2004, the state passed the Highlands Preservation Act to limit development. In 2005, 27 new homes were built and 16 in 2006.<ref name="Cheslow"/>