Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Atlantic County Adds Again to Open Space in Egg Harbor Township

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced the acquisition of a 271-acre parcel to be permanently designated as open space in Egg Harbor Township, bringing the total to nearly 800 acres of open space acquired by the county in the Pinelands designated growth communities of Egg Harbor, Galloway and Hamilton townships, within the last three years and more than 6,000 acres to date countywide.

The property, identified as block 4901, lot 71 and block 5001, lot 1, was acquired on May 26, 2004 from the estate of Thelma Polakoff for $301,500 utilizing a combination of funding from state Green Acres grants and the Atlantic County Open Space Trust. It is adjacent to the county's John F. Gaffney Green Tree Golf Course on Route 559 with a portion located on the Great Egg Harbor River.

"This property is significant to our efforts to protect the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries," stated Levinson. "Under existing zoning, as many as 25 homes could have been built on the property's upland area. Instead, it will now be protected and preserved to enhance the quality of life of our residents and visitors, as well as future generations."

The property was one of several recommended for purchase by the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association.

For more information, please contact Howard Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2223.

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