While developers have long coveted the property, which sits along this city's border with Morris Plains, the land appears likely to stay out of developers' reach. The final use is uncertain, but state officials are talking with local officials over its disposition, and it appears likely to end up as protected parklands.
Currently in the hands of the state's Department of Human Services, any unused land would automatically revert to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The latter has "the option of disposing of the property after we evaluate it," according to a DEP spokesperson. "That won't happen until at least June, after the Department of Human Services releases its plan for the new hospital facility."
The most likely scenario, according to state officials, is that the 500 or so acres in question will end up in the hands of the parks department of either Morris County, or Parsippany, or both. Plans currently being discussed at the local level involve a variety of uses, including athletic fields, hiking trails and naturally preserved parklands.
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