[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIGH POINT STATE PARK

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                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to the 75th 
anniversary of the opening of High Point State Park, one of the most 
beautiful state parks in the State of New Jersey and, indeed, our 
nation. At a time when development pressures are stripping us of our 
open spaces, High Point is a pristine paradise despite the dense 
population around it. Made up of land donated by private owners and 
maintained by the state and volunteer workers, High Point is an 
outstanding example of what can be done when the public and private 
sectors work together for the betterment of their community. From the 
Kuser family, who donated the land, to the Friends of High Point State 
Park, whose volunteers provide a variety of services, many individuals 
deserve our thanks.
  High Point State Park occupies more than 14,000 acres along the 
northern tip of New Jersey and contains the state's highest peak, 1,903 
High Point. Its remoteness has kept the park virtually unchanged since 
King George of England gave the land to James Alexander--the first 
private owner--in 1715 as a royal land grant. The first substantial 
construction did not come for 173 years, when Charles St. John and his 
family built the plush High Point Inn resort in 1888. In 1909, the inn 
went bankrupt and was purchased, along with the land, by businessmen 
Anthony and John Kuser. Anthony Kuser tore down half the inn and 
reconstructed a ``summer house'' now known to visitors as the Lodge.
  Private ownership came to an end in 1922, when Anthony Kuser gave 
10,000 acres--the bulk of the modern park--to the State of New Jersey. 
The Kuser family also paid for construction of the 220-foot obelisk 
that tops the summit of High Point itself. The tower, completed in 
1930, is a monument to veterans killed in the nation's wars. It offers 
majestic views of the Delaware Valley, the Catskill and Pocono 
Mountains, and the lakes and forests of the park itself.
  As a multi-use park, High Point is managed with an eye toward 
balancing backcountry preservation with the provision of ample 
recreational facilities. The northernmost part of the park is the 800-
acre John D. Kuser Natural Area, much of which is old growth Atlantic 
white cedar swamp. Just south of the natural area is the summit of High 
Point itself. There are three public-access lakes within the boundaries 
of the park. Twenty-acre Lake Marcia, at 1,600 feet the highest lake in 
New Jersey, has a supervised bathing beach. Lake Steenykill, west of 
Marcia, has a boat-launching ramp and furnished cabins that may be 
rented by family groups. Sawmill Lake, near the center of the park, has 
boat-launch facilities and 50 campsites.
  Hiking, naturally, is one of the prime attractions at High Point 
State Park. The Maine-to-Georgia Appalachian Trail runs north and south 
through the length of the park and is intersected by a system of nine 
park trails varying in length from one-half to four miles.
  High Point State Park is treasured by all who have hiked its 
mountains, swum or fished in its lakes or simply taken in its majestic 
views. The people of New Jersey owe their undying gratitude to the 
Kuser family for sharing this natural wonder with the public and, in 
doing so, keeping it in its natural state. I ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to join me in thanking the Kuser family, the 
Friends of High Point State Park, the park's employees and all others 
involved in protecting this treasure for generations to come.

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