The Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area is a 1,675-acre park situated in Montville, Boonton and Kinnelon. And the site, which is managed by the Morris County Park Commission, is set to expand accessibility through added parking following the purchase of additional acreage.

Diversified Properties said March 1 it sold 4.3 acres of undeveloped land at the Mars Park Corporate Center in Monvtille to the Morris County Park Commission. The five-building, 100,000-square-foot industrial property at 1 Mars Court spans 15 acres, and is surrounded by the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area.

Diversified acquired Mars Corporate Center in 2020.

“As Montville residents ourselves, we are honored to help make one of its most beautiful destinations more accessible,” said Diversified Properties founder and Managing Partner Nick Minoia in a statement. “We hope that this sale will allow more people than ever to experience what makes Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area so special and ensure it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for years to come.”

According to the announcement, parking at the outdoor expanse, which offers trails, fields, forests, rock outcroppings and wetlands, is hard to find due to its popularity.

That was only exacerbated during the pandemic, as people sought respite from restrictions in the great outdoors. According to Morris County Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo, places like Pyramid Mountain have seen four times as many visitors over prior years.

“Pyramid Mountain is a special part of the 20,394 acres of parkland in Morris County, which has the largest county park system in New Jersey. Providing additional access to this natural jewel and all of our open spaces is very important, especially when you take into consideration that our residents sought refuge in our parks and on our public walking trails during the pandemic,” said Mastrangelo, who is also a Montville resident and board liaison to the Park Commission. “Creating another access point for people to reach these resources is important, and I’m glad we will be able to rely on this added property.”