Bill Allowing Soccer Games to Continue on Hammonton Farm Goes Back to Governor

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew to permit a South Jersey farm to host youth soccer tournaments, as well as games and practices, on its grounds, received final approval today by the Senate. The legislation included changes recommended by Governor Christie; it now goes back to the governor’s desk.
The bill was in response to a 2014 Pinelands Commission decision that found holding soccer tournaments on the grounds of Tuckahoe Turf Farms, a sod farm in Hammonton Township, violated a deed restriction limiting its recreational use to “low recreation” activities, described as hiking, hunting, canoeing, horseback riding and bicycling, among others, according to a Press of Atlantic City report. The issue has not yet been fully resolved.
“The decision by the Pinelands Commission to prohibit tournaments on the turf farm just did not make sense. This was not about development taking place on the farm. It was merely about kids playing soccer, an activity which in no way damaged the land,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic). “This bill clarifies that soccer is permitted on the land as long as no permanent structures are established. This would allow the tournaments to continue and for the children and families in the region to enjoy this sporting activity, hopefully, for years to come.”
The legislation (S-2125/A-3257) provides that field sports, including but not limited to soccer and soccer tournaments, conducted or occurring in an agricultural production area within the Pinelands area, shall constitute a low-intensity recreational use under the comprehensive management plan adopted pursuant to the “Pinelands Protection Act,” provided that no permanent structure is established to accommodate its use.
The Pinelands Commission notified the owner of Tuckahoe Turf Farms last year that the tournaments violated a deed restriction limiting its recreational use to “low recreation” activities. Senator Van Drew previously called on the Pinelands Commission to work with the land owner to resolve the dispute, and to work out any issues that needed to be addressed.
The Assembly approved the revised bill by a vote of 52-6-3. The Senate approved it by a vote of 27-7.