Town of Warwick presents award to Paul and Joann Dolan for preserving Sterling Forest State Park

WARWICK — On Thursday evening, Jan. 17, in a brief ceremony held at the Warwick Town Hall, Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Town of Warwick Historian Dr. Richard Hull presented a special award to Paul and Joann Dolan.
In presenting the award, a certificate of recognition and appreciation, Dr. Hull stated: "We are here this evening to honor two intrepid citizens of our town who were largely responsible for launching a campaign to save historic Sterling Forest from deforestation and massive industrial and residential development."
Hull explained that in 1986 Paul and Joann Dolan, who enjoyed hiking in this area and who own a house in Greenwood Lake, brought to public attention the imminent danger of such a development.
They went on to organize a grassroots movement mobilizing local citizens and more than 20 non-profit organizations.
They included the Regional Plan Association, Open Space Institute, Orange County Land Trust, the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission and the New Jersey Trail Conference.
"Through an incredible process of synergy and coalition building," he said, "they won the support of municipal, county, state and national legislators, governors of New York and New Jersey and dozens of other public and private entities."
Hull added that officials who supported the preservation of Sterling Forest represented both the Democrat and Republican political parties and included such notables as Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
Almost 13 years of mobilizing and lobbying finally resulted in the establishment of Sterling Forest State Park, preserving more than 22,000 acres for forest trails and wildlife as well as a critical watershed for northern New Jersey.
"What many Warwickians do not recognize," said Hull, "is that nearly 10,000 of those acres lie within our town."
He added that this was perhaps the most significant open space victories in the last century and much of that credit must go to Paul and Joann Dolan.
Paul Dolan retired last year after serving as Executive Director, ABC News International. His wife, Joann, was NY - NJ Trail Conference Executive Director for more than 13 years.
- Roger Gavan