MANCHESTER – A new county park to be located in the township is a step closer toward construction having received a required permit by the Pinelands Commission – and Township and County officials couldn’t be happier.
Having received that permit, Ocean County is moving forward toward the start of building the new park. Construction will follow the awarding of one more permit from the Ocean County Soil Conservation District, which is expected in about a month. The district is a subdivision of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and it oversees development to fight such things as erosion.
Manchester Township donated about 215 acres and the County purchased about 12 acres from the township for the park project. Ocean County also purchased another 23 acres that was in private ownership. The park site – which totals about 250 acres – is bordered by Routes 571 and 547 and the railroad.
Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines who serves as chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation was pleased to announce that the county had recently received “word that the Pinelands Commission unanimously approved our permit for the construction of our County Park in Manchester Township.”
Haines explained, “this park is the result of a working relationship with Manchester Township. Receiving this approval clears a major hurdle for us and brings us one step away from moving forward with constructing a regional park for our residents and visitors.”
She noted that because the land is bisected by Ridgeway Boulevard, Ocean County will use the unique geography to provide one side dedicated to active recreation and the other to create a separate more passive setting. More than 28 acres of the site will be developed.
Manchester Mayor Robert Arace said, “I am thrilled that the construction of a new county park in Manchester Township is moving forward. This is an exciting addition to our community, and I am proud of the collaboration between Manchester Township and Ocean County in making this park a reality.”
“With over 250 acres dedicated to recreational and open space, this park will provide a wide range of amenities for our residents and visitors. The park will be built in phases, and I look forward to seeing progress as we transform this space into a vibrant, active area for everyone in our community,” the mayor added.
The mayor thanked the Ocean County Commissioners, the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation, “and everyone involved for their hard work in advancing this project.”
Council President Roxy Conniff noted, “as a Pinelands town, providing amenities for our residents – retirees and young families alike – can be a challenge. The county park will be a beautiful recreation spot for all to enjoy. I thank the County for their partnership in this endeavor and the Commission for their hard work.”
Haines explained that the first phase would focus on the infrastructure and passive recreation. “Ocean County has always made an effort to fit the use of the land when building parks.”
Photo by Bob Vosseller
“The use of the site ultimately is driven by what is allowed by any environmental restrictions. The list of proposed amenities for this park is lengthy and will offer something for everyone,” she added.
The new park will include basketball courts, pickle ball courts, a soccer field, a baseball field, a playground, and 23,440 linear feet of six-foot-wide trails, two picnic pavilions, maintenance compound, comfort stations, and a physical challenge trail.
“We will also locate our second spray park at the Manchester site,” Haines announced. “The first is at the John C. Bartlett Jr. County Park at Berkeley Island. The popular feature provides a place for children to access water features in the park during warm weather. Children also can enjoy the playground that will be included as part of the project.”
Director of the Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea noted the Pinelands Commission did an extensive review of the project. “We are happy, through the diligence of our park staff, that we provided them with everything they needed to successfully secure their approval for this project.”
Haines added the new regional County Park in Manchester marks the County’s 28th park adding to the more than 4,000 acres already in the park system.
“With this park added to the 27 county parks we have; the county will now operate a park in reasonable commuting distance for all residents. We are looking forward to breaking ground in the very near future and getting this park built,” Haines said.
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