Subdivision approval helps pave the way for Madison’s ownership of Drew Forest

By BRETT FRIEDENSOHN Madison Eagle, Jul 31, 2026

MADISON - Another necessary step was taken on Wednesday, July 29, to save the Drew Forest as the Planning Board approved a lot subdivision to make way for the borough’s ownership of the forest.

The subdivision of Drew University will create five new lots, one to remain with the university and the other four to be purchased by the borough. Three of those lots are the 48-acre Drew Forest.

Mayor Robert Conley said during the meeting that the borough will “forever” preserve these 48 acres.

The fight to save the forest, which has been going on for about five years, began when Drew University began talks about potentially selling the forest to developers.

Many people in the community reacted in strong opposition to this and residents have been imploring the council and other government officials to prevent it.

Just before the members voted, Board Chair Astri Baillie said, “This is a very historic moment, I feel.”

During deliberation, Baillie said the Drew Forest is a very significant piece of property that will help maintain the tree canopy.

“This is truly a win for the region that we can do this,” Baillie said.

The university’s existing 163.26 acres will be carved into five lots; Lot G, at 114.94 acres, will remain the Drew campus. At 7.7 acres, Lots A1 and A2 will collectively be known as the Drew Woods. The rest of the Drew Forest, the Zuck Arboretum, will be Lot D at 10.6 acres.

Lot F, at 0.987 acres, will be the Madison House, a historic home at 2 Vinal Place on the campus. Conley said the goal at the Madison House is to preserve its historic streetscape.

The Madison Borough Council passed an ordinance on Monday, July 13 to purchase the forest and preserve it as open space. The total purchase price is $23.8 million, but after five grants, the borough will be responsible for paying about $6.2 million, excluding borrowing costs.

Grants include about $6.88 million from Morris County Open Space, about $1.69 million from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, $1 million from the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, and about $4.12 from Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Finally, the borough will receive a grant of about $4.69 million from the state Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Acres program, to be paid over 10 years.

Part of the borough’s purchase agreement with Drew University is a commitment from the Friends of the Drew Forest to donate $5 million to the university. Some $2.5 million has been pledged by an anonymous donor, and the Friends are fundraising for the other $2.5 million.

Anyone who wants to donate can visit friendsofthedrewforest.org.

This subdivision application was unusual because it had no proposal for development. Also, the Borough of Madison itself was an applicant before its own Planning Board.

“Not only is some land put aside for public use, recreational use, open space, but the university use is also preserved in the university zone,” said Stephen Joseph, an attorney representing the borough in the role of the applicant.

Madison resident Judy Kroll, co-chair of the Friends of the Drew Forest, said the Friends want to share their appreciation with everyone who has worked on this application.

“This is obviously something that we have been advocating for for five years. And it’s an important official step, and it’s really heartening to see us at this stage,” Kroll said.

“So we would just like to officially say that we’re thankful and appreciative to everything the council has done and to the Planning Board and all the professionals who have worked very hard to get to this point.”