Historic Preservation, Recreation Projects Seek County Open Space Funding

CREST HAVEN – Eight Open Space projects were presented by county Planning Director Leslie Gimeno to freeholders Dec. 11. A final vote on funding will be made in February, 45 days after the initial airing.
There were four Park and Recreation projects which total $2.6 million.
The four Historic Preservation projects total $359,000.
Park and Recreation
Dennis Township
Chestnut Street Park, Belleplain was explained as “very well-utilized but out-of-date facility” that backs up to Belleplain State Forest.
Total cost of $1,114,000 with grant funding of $1,020,000 recommended and a local match of $94,000.
The football field will be relighted, a new basketball court and new field house will, for the first time, include locker rooms for changing and restrooms.
The site is near the Dundrea Trail, and patrons from a nearby campground are expected to also use the facility.
Sea Isle City
Dealy Recreational Complex between 59th and 63rd streets, has mixed uses including access to the bayside, Gimeno said.
A pier that will comply with ADA standards, lighting and signage will be included in the project of $1,056,605 with grant funding of $935,605 from the county. A local match of $121,000 will also be made, she said.
Wildwood Crest
Sunrise Park will get a new playground with safety surface. A fitness park with exercise stations will be installed, and concrete walkways will help connect the features. Project cost is $306,625, with grant funding of $283,625, and a local match of $23,000.
Middle Township
Avalon Manor will get a fishing pier on Old Avalon Boulevard. The former pier, on an aged bridge portion, was closed in 2016. Conveyed by the county to the municipality in 2007, that pier will be demolished and “reconstructed to take advantage of water depth,” said Gimeno.
The present structure is over a mud flat. The design is for a 50-year lifespan, she added.
Gimeno said township has all permits “in hand” ready to start the project.
Initially rejected in its bid for state funding, Middle Township reentered the project, and was awarded a $257,000 grant from the state Department of Community Affairs Small Cities Program.
Total cost is $726,797 with the county grant of $394,409 leaving a local match of $75,396.
Historic Preservation
Lower Township
Historic Cold Spring Village’s $40,000 project will get $24,036 for “adaptive reuse,” to bolster or replace some beams and floor joists.
Naval Air Station Wildwood in Hangar 1 at the Cape May County Airport proposed a $55,440 project to replace vertical door gaskets to preserve the building facade and protect historic features of the 1942 building. Grant funding of $33,264 will be joined by $22,176 in matching funds.
Judge Nathaniel Foster House in Villas will be used as a museum and community meeting site after being refurbished in a $417,322 project that will receive $240,000 from the county program and a $177,322 match from the municipality.
Cape May
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities, Inc. Emlen Physick Estate has a $103,345 project for ongoing maintenance and painting. The county grant will provide $62,007 that will be matched with $41,368 from the organization.