Open Space Projects Win Freeholders’ OK

CREST HAVEN – Six municipalities and the County Park system will share $2.5 million in county Open Space funding for projects as a result of Feb. 11 freeholder action. The board unanimously agreed to fund recreation-linked projects in Stone Harbor, Avalon, Lower, Middle and Upper townships, the Wildwoods and Woodbine.
Planning Director Leslie Gimeno presented each project, and explained its purpose at a caucus session attended by municipal representatives. A hearing was later held at the regular public meeting. There were no objections to any project.
Stone Harbor total $99,600
On the fastest track was Stone Harbor’s Freedom Park that will be located near the firehouse at Seng Place. The focal point of that park will be an artifact from the World Trade Center. Originally proposed as the “Point of Peace” park at a cost of $584,989, the plan was modified. Neighbors and other residents objected to the site at 122nd Street and Second Avenue as well as the cost.
As a result the borough tabled that first request and redesigned it into the smaller version costing $99,600. Mayor Suzanne Walters thanked the board, and said it is expected that dedication will take place this Sept. 11.
Avalon total $488,555
Avalon’s dune trail and upgrade of its 39th Street playground were approved, the dune trail for $25,318, and the playground, with ADA modifications to accommodate persons with physical disabilities, $365,610. Included in that project will be pavilions and civic events space.
The educational trail will highlight the “unique maritime forest” that exists in the borough’s dune area. Trail head signs will be placed at 48th and 44th streets. There will be eight trail education signs, four each on trail legs. Gimeno said the borough had been “proactive in reaching a compromise on signage” with the project.
Lower Township total $36,260
Lower Township’s Paul Will Recreation Building will receive $36,260 to make an ADA-accessible playground and pavilion at the municipal recreation center in Villas. Partial funding was deemed “best fit for Open Space), although the original request was for $471,000, which excluded interior renovations.
Middle Township total $626,000
Middle Township’s 82-acre Ockie Wisting Recreation Complex, the former Fort Apache Campground in Rio Grande, was purchased by the municipality in 2002 for $1 million with grants and Green Acres funding. Its original request was for $982,531 for site amenities.
The request was reduced to $582,000 for a storage concession building and fishing pier. Partners with the township, including a soccer club and disc golf club, will construct a Frisbee Golf course, soccer fields, while fishing tournaments will be hosted by other partners.
An onsite pond will get a fishing boardwalk pier for $44,000. That boardwalk will be on the existing shoreline instead of a free-standing structure as first proposed.
County Park Department total $262,393
Bike lanes and paths linking North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest will connect to the National Wildlife Refuge in Lower Township as part of the County Park’s request. Deemed a collaborative effort between the county, Lower Township, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the paths and bike lane will continue to provide “intermodal links and networks throughout the county.”
The project will complete six-plus miles of bicycle facilities “rock pile to rock pile,” according to the plan creating a safe access to the 507-acre refuge at the southern end of Five Mile Beach.
Upper Township total $500,350
Two projects in Upper Township include improvements to Amanda’s Field, a county-owned Open Space leased to the municipality for recreation purposes, and a Strathmere boat ramp.
Amanda’s Field will get restrooms, a pavilion, batting cages, fencing and dugouts, irrigation, paving and a bike path for $220,000.
An existing public boat dock will have a fixed pier added and a floating dock, all being ADA accessible. The original proposal was for $300,350. The project will “further our goal of diversifying public recreation opportunities and intermodal links” for $280,350.
Woodbine total $484,000
The borough will deed seven acres to the county in exchange for the park and recreation area funding near the school and County Library branch. As proposed it will be an “eco-park” and will tie into the existing borough bike path system.
Following the hearing, freeholders will be able to take formal action in 45 days. Municipalities will undertake the basic project and incur the expense, and will be reimbursed by the county in one single payment upon project completion and inspection.
Program funding was established by a ballot question at one cent per $100 of assessed value placed in a dedicated trust fund. In 2013 the fund had $4.7 million, in 2009, $5.5 million. Farmland preservation over years has placed 3,148 acres under protection at a cost of $32 million. Open space preservation has set aside from development 1,218 acres at a cost of $26 million.
Only willing sellers participate in the program, Gimeno said. It purchases development easements for farmland preservation. Those farms may continue to work. Other provisions include land acquisition, parks and recreation development and historic preservation.
There are new application forms and a new program guide. “Factor sets” are used to measure benefits of a parcel or project. There are three funding cycles per year for most projects while there is only one for historic preservation.
Once the Open Space Board has reviewed a project it will either recommend, decline or defer applications.