Hopatcong Environmental Commission

05/21/2026

Trails Day Work Party.

Be part of the outdoors experience.

The Hopatcong Environmental Commission is developing two new loop trails in the Eves Mountain Inlet Sanctuary. One of the new loops will include a scenic overlook over Henderson Cove. To complete the new trails, we are sponsoring a Trails Day Work Party on June 13, 2026 from 10 a.m. To 12:00 p.m. We would ask participants to bring branch cutters, brush trimmers and/or hammers to help us widen the new trails. Be part of the Trails experience! Raindate is June 14. We will meet at the Eves Sanctuary parking area, located off SC Route 609 (Lakeside Avenue).

Even if you can't make the work party. we would still urge you all to get out and enjoy the woods. The existing Mountain Inlet yellow loop is an easy 1.25 mile well marked hike.

National Trails Day is June 6, 2026. Our friends and partners at the Lake Hopatcong Foundation are sponsoring a Trail Day Hike and Photo Scavenger Hunt on June 6, 2026 at 10 a,m. on the Liffy Island/James Leach Boardwalk Trail in Jefferson Township. You can sign up or obtain additional information by visiting Lakehopatcongfoundation.org

05/11/2026

Please visit the Hopatcong Environmental Commission Booth at the Lake Hopatcong Foundation's Block Party on Saturday May 16th from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Commission will be distributing free tree seedlings while supplies last. We look forward to seeing you this coming Saturday.

04/27/2026

The Environmental Commission would like to thank everyone that came out for Shred Day! Unfortunately, the weather did not quite cooperate with us for a more successful Clean Up day. However, we would like to remind everyone that you don't need a specific day to clean up your neighborhood, everyday can be Clean Up day!

Send a message to learn more

04/22/2026

GUIDANCE FOR HOPATCONG CLEAN UP DAY and PAPER SHRED DAY
APRIL 25, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

CLEAN UP DAY
1. All residents are strongly encouraged to walk the streets in the vicinity of their home and pick up litter and other garbage or debris. If someone else has already done your area, please do an adjoining street. If you encounter something too large or bulky for you to handle, please notify the Environmental Commission at [email protected] or come to the Municipal Building between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event to make special arrangements.

2. We would also encourage all participants to register with the Environmental Commission. Continued funding for this and similar events is dependent on us showing community participation. You can register either in person in the Borough Hall parking lot between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event or by using the registration form found at https://forms.gle/TiYVNGB5R3F9aGgU9 or by using the QR Code printed below is attached. Any and all groups, ie. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sports Groups or Community Associations should also register.

3. For groups, the Commission has a list of potential locations. Please contact us at [email protected] as the public-facing email address. [email protected] if you need suggestions.

4. You must register with the Commission, if you need equipment: vests, gloves, grabbers, bags etc. The equipment can be picked up at Borough Hall after 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the event. Some of the equipment (vests, grabbers) will be on loan from the county and must be returned. The equipment must be returned to us by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event at Borough Hall.

5. The cleanup is primarily intended for Borough roadways. We cannot authorize anyone to trespass onto private property without permission from the property owner. Entry onto Borough property is allowed.

6. Small amounts of collected materials can be disposed of in your regular household garbage. Significant amounts can be brought to DPW Building by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event for disposal. The Borough will have a dumpster available to receive the waste.

7. For youth and community groups, if there is a significant amount of material, members of the commission can arrange to pick up the materials for you. To utilize this service, you must be registered and you must see a member of the Commission at the registration table on the day of the event.

8. The cleanup event is intended for litter and debris found scattered around the Borough. It is not intended to enable residents to clean out their basements, attics and garages.

9. Used auto tires found in the woods and along the roadways can be accepted. To do so, you must be registered and, if possible, speak to a member of the commission on the day of the event.

10. If you are unable to participate on the day of the cleanup, we would still encourage you to clean-up your neighborhood. If any special assistance is needed, you can contact the Environmental Commission at [email protected].

11. In the event of rain, the cleanup will be conducted on Sunday April 26, 2026.

SHRED DAY

12. Simultaneous to the cleanup, the Commission is also sponsoring a Paper Shred Day at the Municipal Building parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is a drive-through service. Volunteers will be available to help remove the materials from your vehicles. There is no charge and there is no limit on the amount of materials.

13. This event will occur rain or shine.

14. Wet materials cannot be accepted.
OTHER
15. A small number of Tree Seedlings for planting will be available at the Registration Desk between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the day of the cleanup.

16. Supplies are limited and will be available on a First Comes/First Served basis. Limit of 2 seedlings per participant.

QR CODE FOR Registration:

Date: Saturday April 25, 2026 Check-in: Municipal Building (111 River Styx Rd) Trash Drop-off: DPW Garage (120 River Styx Rd) Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Contact Us: [email protected] Trash bags, gloves, trash pickers available at Check-in

04/06/2026

Seedlings will also be available on a first come, first serve basis! 💚
If you see an area in need of clean up, please email Cliff Lundin at [email protected]

03/16/2026

The Hopatcong Environmental Commission and its volunteers recently completed posting of over 100 signs on the boundaries of the Roland and May Eves-Mt Inlet Wildlife Sanctuary, clarifying the allowable use of this preserved public land per the 1993 ordinance that created it. In the coming weeks hunting stands will be removed from the sanctuary and expansion of the trail network within the sanctuary will be discussed. The sanctuary is located off of Lakeside Ave (CR-609), near the bird blind. There is parking for up to 10 cars.

02/09/2026

Please join the February 18, 2026 Council Meeting (7:30 PM) at the Municipal Building to learn about the ongoing update to the Borough's Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), including the recently completed Parks and Recreation Survey. There will be a public comment period following the OSRP Update status presentation. This is a regular Council Meeting, but with an agenda item dedicated to news and feedback on the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) Update. A listen-only livestream of the meeting will be at the following link -

01/12/2026

Your commission members hard at work 💕

01/12/2026

Hopatcong Environmental Commission members and volunteers turned the page on the decorations for the 2025 Holiday Season around the municipal building and at Maxim Glen. Our 2026 salute to Valentine's Day is now in front of the municipal building.

To join the Environmental Commission in its varied work activities in 2026, please join our volunteer list and indicate your activities of interest. Follow the link below to join. For 2026 we have a large number of outdoor activities planned including installing No Hunting signs around the Mt Inlet Wildlife Sanctuary, Rain Garden Maintenance, Borough-wide Clean-up (litter collection), installing destination and mileage signs across the entire, 19-miles of Hopatcong trails.

Volunteer Sign-up: https://forms.gle/uf1MvGZruKJ5VFJy7

Hopatcong PDF Trail Map: HERE
Hopatcong OuterSpatial: HERE (intended for mobile devices)

Environmental Commission (EC) volunteer registration form

11/20/2025

HOLIDAY LIGHTING WORK SESSION: SIGN-UP
Date: Sunday November 23, 2025
Time: 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Meet Point: Municipal Building (111 River Styx Road)
What: The Hopatcong Environmental Commission will be decorating the exterior of Borough Hall and around Maxim Glen for the holiday season. Come lend us a hand! Register here: [https://forms.gle/tqWgBEyJhF3CybQh7](https://forms.gle/tqWgBEyJhF3CybQh7)

Event Date: Sunday November 23, 2025 Time: 9:00 to 11:00 AM Meet Point: Municipal Building (111 River Styx Road) What: We will be decorating the exterior of Borough Hall and around Maxim Glen for the holiday season. Come lend us a hand! NOTE: If you have wire cutters (to clip zip ties), bring them a...