Freeholders OK Beesley’s Point Park, Physick Estate Grants

CREST HAVEN – Freeholders approved a shared services agreement with Upper Township Feb. 25, which will fund the Beesley’s Point Park Pedestrian/Bicycle Gateway, not to exceed $1.31 million. 
At the Nov. 26 freeholder caucus, county Planning Director Leslie Gimeno told the board the project would create a new gateway into the county that would utilize creative placemaking.
She also noted the multi-use path on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s Great Egg Harbor Bridge linking Cape May and Atlantic counties. 
The site, located at the base of the Great Egg Harbor Bridge, has a guarded beach, parking lot, and boat ramp, according to an earlier story.
Gimeno highlighted amenities, as part of the $1.4 million project, including a parking area, signage, pavilion, boardwalk path, restrooms, overlooks, beach shade structure, attendant kiosk, bike racks and picnic benches.
Funding recommendation was $1.3 million. The project was awarded $500,000 a couple years ago, according to Gimeno. “When this project gets awarded, we’ll rescind the initial $500,000, so this isn’t a second grant for the same site, it’s a replacement,” she clarified.
Historic Preservation Grant
At the Feb. 25 meeting, the board approved a Historic Preservation Trust Fund grant, not to exceed $34,042, for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities, Inc. (MAC). That funding will be for repair of outbuilding roofs at the Emlen Physick Estate, in Cape May.
The estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the resolution noted, and is consistent with the county’s historic preservation plan.
MAC initially sought a grant of $56,737, but the Open Space Review Board recommended the lower amount.
ED. NOTE: Erin Ledwon contributed to this story.