Pequannock June 2023

Pequannock

& Pompton Plains

LOCAL FLAVOR, Family Feeling

A GOLFER’S PARADISE CLOSE TO HOME 65 YEARS OF CURLY’S ICE CREAM TAKE A HIKE! ENJOY THE VIEWS AT MOUNTAINSIDE PARK

Welcome to Our Magazine!

publication for and about you!

Faith, family and home are my whys, so it’s no accident when you apply for a publishing position in “another” town and you convince the publishers to change course and produce a magazine for your own community! My love for our small-town charm, close-knit neighborhoods, rolling foothills, ringing church bells and new rail trail have led me right to where I want and need to be.

BY DAN PICCOLI

My name is Donna Jean Fillweber and I am the proud publisher of our new Pequannock & Pompton Plains magazine.

My favorite saying is, “Bloom where you’re planted.” And that’s just what I’ve been doing.

I am blessed to have built my life and businesses around my two children, Brianna and Ryan, as a stay-at-home, single mom. You may know me from my scrapbooking, jewelry, real estate or nail businesses; and now my newest venture is sharing this amazing

A heartfelt thank you to Wainscot Media for believing in me, the many contributors at our home office, our local writers and photographers and, most important, those who have graciously shared their stories with us! I also want to thank the businesses that have trusted in us enough to advertise in the pages of our debut issue of Pequannock & Pompton Plains magazine.

I am making my way around town to introduce our magazine and look forward to connecting with old friends and new. If you have a story idea or contribution please reach out for consideration. We’d love to hear from you. Also be sure to like and follow us on all social media platforms @pequannockmagazine.

Warm regards,

Donna Fillweber Publisher

Editor & Publisher

Donna Fillweber

Art Director

Sue Park

Copy Editor

Nancy Fass

Writers

Angela Teta Kohle

Dan Piccoli

Bill Sayre

Shereen Sayre

Doug Vogel

Debbie Walsh

Photographer

Dan Piccoli

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman

Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

VP, Group Publisher, Regional

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

PHOTOGRAPH

Around Town

Have you heard? Lots of Pequannock residents are already enjoying the new walking and biking path that’s come to town. This $20 million federally funded project, situated on the old New York, Susquehanna & Western (NYSW) Railway line, will be completed in spring 2024.

The official name of the path will be the Pompton Valley Rail-Trail It will eventually be 4.8 miles long, beginning at River Drive in Pompton Plains and ending near the train station in the Mountain View section of Wayne; it will potentially become a revenuegenerating tool, bringing walkers and bikers to restaurants and businesses along the way. Currently, 1.5 miles of the path are paved and completed.

The path will be a carry-in, carry-out (trash) park maintained by the Morris County Parks Commission upon completion. It may also connect with other trails at some point in the future.

HAPPY Trails!

Currently, a bridge connecting to Wayne is under construction and will present a beautiful view of the Pompton River in a parklike setting. Plants are being added along the path with topsoil and seed. The planting work will pause for the summer and pick back up again in the fall when more of the path is completed.

Christopher Vitz, the director of public works and county engineer at the Morris County Department of Public Works, says, “I am incredibly happy to see the project come to fruition. The Morris County Engineering and Transportation Division all worked tirelessly on this project in conjunction with various Morris County Park Commission members. I also have to give a special thanks to Gerald Rohsler, the former director of our Transportation Division, who spearheaded this project from its beginning in 1998 until his retirement in 2020.”

Vitz adds, “I see firsthand, from several walks I have taken on the path, that it is being used by hundreds of people daily. It definitely is an amenity that is being well received by the residents of Pequannock.”

We will keep you posted on progress. For more information on this project, visit morriscountynj.gov.

BEAUTIFUL BALLOONS

It’s Poppin’ Balloons is a modern balloon company specializing in luxe balloon decor. It does balloon installations for all special occasions in your life, as well as corporate events, and offers a grab-and-go balloon bar and gift shop. Visit It’s Poppin’ Balloons at 574 Newark Pompton Turnpike or online at www.itspoppinnj.com.

CONGRATULATIONS, PEQUANNOCK TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF ’23!

The Pequannock Township High School class of 2023 holds a special place in the heart of Principal Richard Hayzler. After all, he has been their principal since they were all sixth grade students! He says, “Being a part of their middle school and high school years, I have watched this class demonstrate their leadership, their passion and their character. They have forged positive relationships with administrators, teachers and peers that helped revitalize and strengthen the school and community at a time when it was needed most.” He adds, ”They learned the value of perseverance and the importance of never giving up, no matter what challenges stood in front of them. The faculty and staff wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors. Once a Golden Panther, always a Golden Panther!”

A SHOW IN THE SKY

The Pequannock Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce that this year’s fireworks show will take place Friday, June 23, at Pequannock High School (rain date June 24). Festivities begin at 7 p.m. And don’t miss PV Park Lake Movie Night on Wednesday, June 28, with a showing of family favorite The Goonies. Gates open at 8 p.m. Showtime is 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person.

ENJOY THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Summer Outdoor Concert, featuring Stone Flower, a Santana Tribute Band. Friday, June 30, 6:30 p.m. (rain or shine). Bring a lawn chair; no registration required.

Tricky Tray: Sizzling Summer Walk Through, a basket raffle fundraiser. Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breathe In & Go Out, summer reading program 2023. June 24–August 12 (for all ages).

The Pequannock Township Public Library is located at 477 Newark Pompton Turnpike.

No Place Like Home

A casual chat with David Kohle, Pequannock Township mayor

BY DEBBIE WALSH

MAYOR DAVID KOHLE

While some people yearn to shake loose from their hometown, why are many locals drawn back to Pequannock?

Pequannock is unique. Lots of people grow up and stay here. Fortunately, I never left, not even after high school. It’s a great place to live and raise a family. People stay here for the same reason I did. They like the small, hometown feel. It’s like Mayberry for a lot of people. We have a great school system and library. We have fantastic police and fire departments, an excellent first-aid squad and lots of community volunteers. We also have a great parks and recreation department. Pequannock Valley (PV) Park is a wonderful asset.

What fond memories do you have of growing up in Pequannock?

I think my best memories are from around this time of year when the weather warms up. On those sunny days, we’d play outside then go home and rush through dinner so we could play more stickball because there was still some daylight left. Of course, summers at PV Park are a lasting memory.

What was a treasured family activity while your sons were growing up?

In a town that conjures up the homespun charm of a modern-day Mayberry, it’s no surprise the mayor is homegrown. For Pequannock mayor David Kohle, there is no place like home, and he is proud to say he has never lived anywhere else. Elected to the town council in 2012, Kohle is serving his third one-year term as mayor. He is a former youth football and baseball coach and past chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest New Jersey. He also served on Pequannock’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. When not volunteering or working for the township, Kohle is an auto claims specialist/ reinspector for State Farm.

Kohle’s wife, Angela, is from Vermont. In her senior year of college she secured a teaching post at Pequannock Township High School and taught Spanish there for 35 years. The couple met through a mutual friend. They have twin 30-year-old sons: Ben, a Pequannock police officer, and Joe, who works for Cheddar News.

Our sons played a lot of youth and high school sports. Wherever they played, we went to watch them, even when our son Ben played college football. I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.

Do you have a favorite dining spot in town? They’re all good. I love Pompton Queen. With as many meetings as I have, I find myself in the diner a lot. Tavern 5, Bardi’s—we like them all.

Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for local newspapers, including Suburban Trends and other North Jersey Media Group publications.

BYOB Come enjoy one of our Signature Dishes; Chicken & Shrimp Pequannock, Zuppa Di Pesce, Santa Lucia, Chicken Milanese, Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast and more... at our cozy, family restaurant.

CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS!

Be sure to order our award-winning Tiramisu for dessert!

Starting From Scratch

Tavern 5 offers local flavor in a family atmosphere.

BY DEBBIE WALSH

The design for Tavern 5’s sign on Newark-Pompton Turnpike contains a hidden message that sets the table for what’s inside: A family-owned restaurant where neighbors become friends and feel like kin.

For years, the Pompton Plains dining spot was known as Gilly’s Restaurant. The Carbone family purchased the restaurant in 2015 and, after extensive renovations, opened Tavern 5’s doors in June 2016. Their goal was to create a comfortable dining experience where patrons would feel at home.

“We knew we had a great town here, and we are all about this town along with family,” says Debbie Carbone. “We wanted to make the restaurant a warm place to come—almost family-casual, nothing too fancy.”

Once the Tavern 5 sign appeared, the restaurant’s name became a subject of customer curiosity. Some assumed Tavern 5 was one of five taverns. But the name actually derives from 5C’s Landscaping, a business that Carbone’s husband, John, started with his equally enterprising four young brothers when they were just in middle school. Five Carbones added up to five Cs.

“We were all over the place with names,” says Debbie Carbone. “We had a whiteboard with a thousand ideas on it. The one thing we knew for sure: We wanted the name to have meaning.”

The secret in the sign? If you look closely at the “5,” you’ll notice it largely comprises a backwards “C.” Family business savvy—developed from an early age—had led to the start of more family businesses, which made the first-time opening of a restaurant less intimidating.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAN PICCOLI

Connecting With Customers

The family also considered multiple options with renovations. They initially thought they’d make minimal, cosmetic changes, Carbone says—a nip here and a tuck there. But once plans got underway, they decided to start from scratch.

Now a comfortable blend of old and modern design elements, such as Edison lighting fixtures and exposed brick walls, lend the interior a rustic, industrial vibe. An inviting bar area provides a perfect place to meet up with neighbors or catch a game on TV.

The Carbones connect with the community beyond Tavern 5’s walls as well. Fans at a Pequannock ball game might find Tavern 5 sponsoring their team, and the restaurant participates in community initiatives such as fundraisers supporting local school programs.

Its combination of local roots, community engagement and a great dining experience has led Tavern 5 to cultivate a loyal customer base.

When COVID-19 closed doors for a multitude of New Jersey restaurants, Tavern 5 survived because of its close ties to patrons and ability to adapt. Takeout orders kept the business cooking. Innovations like family meals and to-go cocktails proved popular with homebound folks living in Pequannock and nearby towns.

Always-popular outdoor dining at Tavern 5 remained sought-after when pandemic restrictions eased. People venturing out once again took advantage of open-air dining features such as a tent installed in the lushly landscaped outdoor area that provided shade and shelter when weather was not ideal.

The Carbone family opened Tavern 5 in June 2016, and the restaurant quickly became a town favorite. Plates like the tacos with chipotle aioli and the T5 burger keep diners coming back.

A Just-Right Menu

Still, an attractive atmosphere won’t keep customers returning unless the dining package includes top-notch food and service. Carbone describes Tavern 5’s cuisine as seasonal American fare. Customer favorites include the T5 burger, T5 wings, stone-fired pizzas and a signature pork chop entrée.

The restaurant aims to please. When a revised, change-of-pace menu left out the restaurant’s popular arancini, management heard about it from customers, and the delicious appetizer of fried, stuffed rice balls made a rapid return.

“We’re not aiming to be that fancy, special-occasion restaurant that you only go to once in a great while because you do not want to spend that kind of money all the time,” says Carbone. “We have customers

who come here multiple times a week.”

The restaurant’s carefully curated menu is small enough not to overwhelm but large enough to accommodate a variety of tastes. Meals are prepared using handselected ingredients but are not overly complicated.

Tavern 5’s longtime chef continues cooking up appetizing lunches and dinners, while many of the tavern’s staff have been there from the start and are an important part of the restaurant’s recipe for success. Carbone oversees operations to ensure that daily efforts match the family’s vision of making Tavern 5 a friendly place where people come to dine, gather and socialize. “We wanted a warm, cozy place where you are treated like our own,” she says, “a place you love to come to for lunch or dinner.”

Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for local newspapers, including Suburban Trends and other North Jersey Media Group publications.

A Golfer’s Paradise, Close to Home

The challenging 17th hole at Sunset Valley Golf Course, with water hazards on both left and right.

BY DOUG VOGEL

Nestled along the base of Waughaw Mountain, Sunset Valley Golf Course in Pompton Plains offers stunning panoramic views in every direction. It is one of four golf courses run by the Morris County Park Commission and is considered a hidden gem by the many golf enthusiasts who enjoy the 18-hole, par-70, 6,368-yard layout. Annually voted one of the top public golf courses in New Jersey, Sunset Valley is a treasured asset to the golf-loving residents of Pequannock.

Sunset Valley was designed by noted golf architect Hal Purdy, a protégé of Robert Trent Jones, one of the most influential golf architects in the history of the game of golf. Purdy’s design practice impressed the New Jersey golf community: He was commissioned to design nearly 30 courses in the Garden State between 1961 and 1974.

Upscale private clubs such as Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham and Fairmount Country Club in Chatham were added to Purdy’s growing resume. Sunset Valley was designed and constructed in 1974 and was touted as Purdy’s greatest public-access design. The loyal local golfers who frequent the course today would agree.

Once home to the Hunt Family Farm, the golf course incorporates the natural contours of the land. It seamlessly blends the tranquility of the surrounding environment with the demanding challenges of avoiding water features, landing safely on fairways, and surviving the undulating green surfaces. The steep greens at Sunset Valley have been a well-known topic of conversation in local golfing circles for many years.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAN PICCOLI | TOP RIGHT COURTESY MORRIS COUNTY PARK COMMISSION

The front nine acts as a warm-up for what awaits the golfer on the back. Only one water feature confronts golfers, but it can be negotiated with a well-struck tee shot off the second tee. Tee shots must avoid trees lining the fairways. Well-bunkered green complexes require accurate placement of shots to the greens. The ninth hole brings you back to the clubhouse for a quick respite before heading out to the start of the back nine.

Standing on the 10th tee, the views of the valley are breathtaking. Take it all in as the golf ahead will require more accuracy, more length and more guile. Five water features come into play along with the challenge of finishing your round with what many golf enthusiasts consider the three best finishing holes in the state of New Jersey. The 16th hole starts the test with an uphill par-5

of 542 yards. The 17th and 18th holes are both par-4s that are separated by a lake that, if it doesn’t get your attention on the way out, will on the closing hole.

Sunset Valley provides excellent conditions for golfers. “The course has one of the best maintenance staffs I’ve ever worked with,” says general manager Rob O’Rourke. Adds longtime Pequannock resident and avid golfer Guy Restivo, “Right off the bat, the first hole offers beautiful views and a wonderful layout. But you’ll probably end up three-putting the treacherous green. Stay below the cup!”

Practice putting greens are available for golfers to find their stroke before heading out onto the course. Riding golf carts are available for rent. And a well-stocked pro shop sells golf balls, logoed hats and shirts,

“The first hole offers beautiful views and a wonderful layout. But you’ll probably end up three-putting the treacherous green. Stay below the cup!”

Guy Restivo, Pequannock Resident

PEQUANNOCK

clubs and other equipment. For those who need a little help, lessons from a golf professional can be arranged in the pro shop.

Many township programs benefit from the convenience of Sunset Valley, including Pequannock Township High School. The Golden Panthers golf teams call Sunset Valley their home course and many memorable matches throughout the years have been contested over the hometown fairways.

The Pequannock Township Women’s Golf League has been in existence since the year the course opened in 1974. Sponsored by Pequannock Township Parks and Recreation, the league is dedicated to promoting golf as a recreational activity, while enabling members to acquire and develop their knowledge and skills. More information can be found at www.ptwgl.com.

Sunset Valley offers a memorable golfing experience for players of all levels. Restivo, a big fan of the course, says, “The redesign a few years back took some of the sting out of the golf course, but it will definitely deliver plenty of ‘hurt’ to the average golfer. The views alone are worth the price of admission!” And for Pequannock golfers it’s just around the corner and up the hill, at the end of 47 West Sunset Road.

Sunset Valley is managed by Troon Golf, an award-winning professional club management company. Tee times are booked online. For more information, call 973-835-1515 or visit SunsetValleyGC.com.

Doug Vogel is a golf historian and writer who covers major golf tournaments. He recently published his first book, “Babe Ruth and the Scottish Game: Anecdotes of a Golf Fanatic.”

Opposite page: Cassie Sundstrom-Smith, Sunset Valley director of golf; Rob O’Rourke, Troon Golf regional general manager; Jenna Klippel, Troon Golf director of sales.

Above: O’Rourke hits it long and straight on the scenic 10th hole.

Below: The Olsen family of Pequannock are regular visitors to Curly’s Ice Cream. Right: Chris Meier, owner of the specialty ice-cream shop.

65 Years of Sweet Success

BY DAN PICCOLI

grandson of the shop’s original owners, Minetta and Harold Meier. “It’s what makes the demanding work so rewarding.”

Curly’s Ice Cream, a local landmark on Route 23 in Riverdale, has been satisfying ice-cream lovers with the tastiest homemade treats in the area for 65 years. The Curly’s philosophy is quite simple. “Use only the best ingredients, be persistent in all areas of quality and serve our customers in a friendly environment,” says Pompton Plains resident and owner Chris Meier—who also happens to be the

The Meiers originally purchased a gas station located on the old Riverdale Circle, but it had always been their dream to buy the adjacent ice-cream shop. So, in 1958, they did just that. For the next 10 years, the shop went by the name of Carvel (a national ice-cream brand) before officially becoming Curly’s Ice Cream, a nod to Harold Meier and his childhood nickname (you guessed it—his hair was very curly).

Since then, three generations of Meiers have kept the tradition alive. Amy and Barry Meier followed Minetta and Curly. Today, Chris and Kerry Meier operate the well-known and much-loved shop. When asked what it means to have three

generations of the family involved in Curly’s, Chris Meier says, “Each generation feels it is their legacy to keep the shop going—they respect the demanding work of all the previous generations. We are also proud to have great employees, who are a key part of the Meier team. It is a fun job. We get to watch people enjoy our ice cream products. You see a lot of happy smiles as you watch people of all ages decide what to order and then the excitement when their ice cream is handed to them.”

Made fresh daily, Curly’s products include soft and hard ice cream, frozen yogurt, Italian ice and vegan/dairy-free options. The shop also offers banana splits, shakes and ice-cream cakes. Whatever the holiday or event, Curly’s will design a custom cake to capture the spirit of the day.

The Meier family has been serving up smiles at Curly’s Ice Cream for three generations.

Committed to the Community

The Meiers not only run a successful business, but they are also extremely giving. Chris Meier and his family love being a part of the Pequannock community with “its great people, excellent schools and wonderful surrounding towns.” To pay it forward, the business is a long-time sponsor of Pequannock Little League and donates generously to multiple Tricky Tray events and fundraisers.

Currently, Curly’s employs 34 local area team members. Located on the northbound side of Route 23, on the border of Pompton Plains and Riverdale, the shop offers plenty of parking on premises. You’ll know you are in the right place when you see the long line of customers looping around the building. But don’t worry: The line moves quickly. Curly’s is an outdoor facility, so take your

dessert to your car or have a seat at the nearby picnic tables. Open for business 11 months out of the year, Curly’s closes only for a short winter break between Christmas and February 1.

Winning Flavors

One of the most-often asked questions at Curly’s is, “What flavor is most popular?”

According to Chris Meier, it’s a tie between chocolate chip mint and cookie monster hard ice cream. But odds are that whatever your favorite flavor, Curly’s is dishing it up.

Chris Meier says, “We strongly believe that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Throughout the years, we have kept it simple: Offer a great customer experience and an excellent product, while supporting the community.” That sounds like the perfect formula for beloved and enduring business.

Dan Piccoli is a long-time resident of Morris County, spending most of his life in Lincoln Park. Recently retired, Piccoli was a successful executive with a global Fortune 500 company for more than 40 years.

“We have kept it simple: Offer a great customer experience and an excellent product, while supporting the community.”

– Chris Meier, Owner of Curly’s Ice Cream

Take a Hike!

Some of Morris County’s best trails are right in our own backyard.

BY SHEREEN AND BILL SAYRE

There are many reasons Pompton Plains and Pequannock are wonderful places to live, but Pequannock Township’s Mountainside Park trails are an often undervalued, but significant, asset of the town. Scout troops, trail runners, hikers, dog walkers and nature lovers take advantage of this resource. Cedar Crest’s Senior Living Community has several entry points at the top of the red trail’s boardwalk and near Pequannock Knob, often referred to as the Knob. There are a few benches for resting and observing nature near the top. In addition, volunteers attempt to keep the trails accessible in winter for our Cedar Crest friends.

A few short loop hikes or combinations can each be completed in no longer than two hours from the end of the Mountain Road parking lot. The red and blue loop trails each are slightly more than two miles round trip. The blue trail climbs to the top of the Knob, with outstanding views of northern New Jersey and the New York City skyline. There is a wide variety of wildlife and wildflowers to view. Handy “tools” to bring along include binoculars, a map of the park and mobile phone resources such as the Picture This application for plant identification, and Cornell Ornithology’s Merlin application for identification of bird species.

The hiking difficulty level is moderate because of rocks, roots and steepness. Access to the park is from dawn to dusk.

Hikers are asked to leave no trace by carrying out what they carry in.

The township manages overnight registration for use of picnic sites and shelters built by the Boy Scouts of America. Volunteers for the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference maintain and reroute trails as needed, clear downed trees and branches, work to eradicate invasive plants and refresh trail “blazes.” The Trail Conference is always looking for volunteers for trail maintenance, both locally and further afield.

Shereen and Bill Sayre have been residents of Pequannock Township for 30 years. They are on the team of NY-NJ Trail Conference trail maintainers for Mountainside Park and thoroughly enjoy their time on the trail.

Shereen and Bill Sayre enjoy both hiking and helping to maintain trails at Mountainside Park. Hikers who reach Pequannock Knob enjoy incredible views, including Manhattan in the distance.

Shereen Hikers

Deliciousness Guaran-tead

Defying Gravitea offers gluten- and dairy-free treats that nourish the body and mind without compromising on taste.

BY ANGELA TETA KOHLE

Gina Cassese, owner of a new cafe in Pequannock called Defying Gravitea, hopes it will be like your home away from home. Her menu features abundant gluten- and dairy-free baked goods along with farm-fresh eats, coffee and tea.

Regardless of whether you have food sensitivities, you’ll find something fabulous to try. Cassese aims to attract people of all ages to enjoy delectable treats like her banana bread with almond butter and house-made jam, sweet potato ricotta salad, lemon coconut scones and so much more. At Defying Gravitea, the possibilities seem endless, and everything is absolutely delicious.

Cassese is a fifth-generation chef who learned the food business firsthand, primarily in the kitchen of her dad’s Florida restaurant. After working in many food settings, she decided to come home to Pequannock and share her culinary skills with the community. She has tweaked some family favorites and is thrilled with the results.

A Gathering Spot

Cassese loves when her family gets together for meals and envisions her new place as a hub where the community can gather in a similar way. Defying Gravitea has a warm, relaxed, homey feel, offering several cozy places to sit, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and experience the variety of mouthwatering goods.

“I want my shop to be a place where friends and family gather around food, relax and find balance,” Cassese says. “Here, everyone can eat without restrictions in an intimate setting. I just want to spread the love and make the world a better place, and if that world consists of the people who come into my shop, it’s a start!”

Defying Gravitea also provides catering and offers a warm, relaxed space for people to host events. The cafe’s website describes several options, but reach out if you would like to plan something special. Cassese already has ideas brewing for ways to expand her offerings in the future and continue to wow her customers. As she says, “Together, we are limitless.”

Angela Teta Kohle, retired after 35 years of teaching, lives in Pequannock. She enjoys volunteering at her church, traveling, reading, baking, walking and working for the family business.

Full Bloom

Van Wingerden Farms—a familiar sight on Jacksonville Road—was started decades ago and is still run by the same family. The farm’s current owner, Abe Van Wingerden, is the youngest of the large family, which emigrated from Holland in the late 1940s.

TRANSFORMING

LIVES BY TRANSFORMING LIVING SPACES