CREST HAVEN – Three Open Space projects were outlined by county Planning Director Leslie Gimeno for freeholders Jan. 23. The presentation was the equivalent of a public hearing. The board has 45 days to decide on funding.
Projects are paid in one payment after work is completed and the project accepted by the county.
Those projects were:
* Panther Park on North Railroad Avenue, in Rio Grande, is a Middle Township sponsored area that would give bicyclists using the adjacent bike path linking Lower and Middle townships a place to rest.
Cost: $1.42 million
Open Space grant funding: $1,290,630
Amenities: Large and small dog park with electronic access, basketball court, multi-use courts (two tennis or eight pickleball) bike repair station and rack, water fountain, bocce court, shaded table and benches, gazebo with picnic table, security camera, open lawn area for programs and message center.
* Beach Drive Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project, Lower Township. The 1.5-mile pedestrian walkway along Delaware Bay will be 6-feet-wide with marked pedestrian crosswalks, consistent walkway widths of 12 feet, and will have marked “Share the Road” lanes for bikes.
Cost: $2,852,740
Open Space grant funding: $993,440
* Cape May Lighthouse Restoration/Preservation. Built in 1859, the structure is constantly exposed to the elements. Last spring, the brick tower was fully restored, partly funded by a county Open Space grant.
The next restoration project would include painting the brick masonry walls of the watch gallery, restoring and repointing mortar joints as needed, and painting metal work of watch gallery, security grille, watch room door, lantern, lantern gallery, and roof.
Cost: $53,350
Open Space grant funding: $32,000
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities, which oversees the lighthouse, will pay $21,350 of the total cost.
