Sprawling horse farm in Livingston to be preserved – nj.com

Among the condominium complexes, shopping centers and eateries in Livingston sits 10 acres of picturesque pastures where more than 36 miniature horses once roamed, much to the delight of passing motorists and patients at the Saint Barnabas Medical Center, which sits near the sprawling fields.

The Evergreen Miniature Horse Farm has been a fixture in the Livingston community for more than 40 years. Boasting a gazebo, a stream and multiple barns, the property was a slice of heaven for those wishing to step away from the hustle and bustle of Livingstons ever-expanding properties.

Its a beautiful property, said Linda Gloshinski, land preservation specialist at the Land Conservancy of New Jersey. When youre there, you kind of look around and you feel like youre in New England or something. It doesnt give you the feel of being in the township of Livingston, which is a suburban setting.

Established by longtime Livingston resident Andrew Licari, the farm was fueled by his deep love and appreciation for horses. After purchasing four miniature horses from the United Kingdom, Licari knew he found his calling.

We started showing (the horses) and, before you know it, we were going to shows all over the board, Licari said. We must have had over 500 trophies. My stallions were the best stallions.

Soon enough, after Licari began breeding his miniatures, 36 horses were set out to pasture on the farm.

Ive never had so much fun in my life, he said. All the money in the world couldnt give us the pleasure we had when those horses were born.

Licaris mindset stayed the same as the years went on. When contractors came knocking hoping to develop on the land, Licari refused.

I had contractors come by the dozens over the years, he said. I wouldnt let anyone put any condos there.

One organizations pursuit of the land was persistent though and, after over nine years of negotiations, Licari decided to sell the property.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, a nonprofit accredited land trust, promised the farmland would be preserved, rather than developed. The land was sold to the Township of Livingston, with the conservancy serving as the open space adviser, assisting with the transaction. The deal was announced in February.

Theyre keeping it as a farm and thats why I sold it to them, Licari said. When my grandkids pass by, they can still say Thats grandpas farm.

Gloshinski, who handled the acquisition of the farm for the Township of Livingston, echoed Licaris wishes to keep the property as is.

Its in great condition, there really isnt anything that needs to be done with it, she said. Were very happy that Mr. Licari ended up preserving the property. The property did have the potential to be subdivided and he was approached by developers over the years, so I think the town was very grateful that, in the end, he decided to sell to the town for preservation rather than to a developer for residential development.

According to Gloshinski, the township has formed a committee to decide how to use the land. While no official plans have been made yet, Gloshinski believes decisions will be made this summer.

The township formed a committee to figure out what exactly they want to do with the property, but they are going to be keeping the barns and the gazebo on the site, she said. They really wanted more land for outdoor passive recreation, so this property was ideal. By the summer, they should have a plan for the proposed uses.

As for Licari, his love of horses continues. For 40 years, we had a lot of good time with (the horses), he said. I just love horses. As for the horses, Gloshinski revealed Licari gave them to a friend in Georgia prior to the closing.

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Sprawling horse farm in Livingston to be preserved - nj.com