County Plans $2.5-million Open Space Outlay

CREST HAVEN – Nearly $2.5 million will flow from Cape May County Open Space coffers to Upper, Middle and Lower townships, Woodbine, Avalon and Stone Harbor for a series of parks and recreational upgrades.
Listed individually in legal advertisements in the Jan. 15 Herald print edition, those projects will be the focus of a public hearing Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Freeholders’ Meeting Room, 4 Moore Road.
The county Open Space Review Board has approved each project, and advocates that freeholders consent to each of them, according to the advertisements.
In Upper Township, $220,000 for Amanda’s Field, 10 Sunset Drive, Petersburg. Also, $280,350 for Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades to the boat ramp at 1010 South Bayview Ave., Strathmere.
In Middle Township, $626,000 for park and recreational upgrades to the Okie Wisting Recreation Complex (formerly Fort Apache tract).
In Lower Township, $36,260 for Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades to the Paul R. Will Recreation Complex, 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas. Also, $262,393 to construct a new bicycle and walking path in the Diamond Beach areas and an access entryway to the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge, Two Mile Beach Unit.
In order to accomplish this, the county will need three-quarter mile path right of way on Seaview Avenue, Diamond Beach, which is on the freeholder agenda for Jan. 14.
In Woodbine, $484,040 for improvements at the borough-owned property bordering Webster Heilprin, Sumner and Adams avenues for open space and recreational uses.
In Avalon, $488,555 for improvements to the 39th Street playground and improvements to the 44th and 48th Street dune and beach trail project.
In Stone Harbor, $99,600 to construct the Freedom Park Memorial adjacent to the firehouse.
Those who wish to submit written comments on any of the above projects should ensure they arrive at the county administration building by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 to be entered into the record.