Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Municipalities Awarded Funding for Acquisitions

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced the award of more than $1 million for the acquisition of nearly 200 acres of land in four municipalities as part of the Atlantic County Municipal Open Space Partnership Program. Overall approximately $5.5 million has been dedicated to municipal open space acquisition, development and historic preservation through this program.

County Executive Dennis Levinson noted that funding was restricted to acquisition only. "We wanted to concentrate our current efforts on acquiring land to protect it from development so that it can be enjoyed and appreciated by present and future generations. Local officials know what land in their community should be preserved. We are very pleased to be able to work with them in this regard," Levinson said.

County officials held a partnership workshop last summer to assist municipal officials in the application process and to review funding eligibility, funding targets and contract requirements.

The Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved the following awards at its
July 13 meeting:

(1) $128,000.00 for the Borough of Buena to acquire 50.12 acres adjacent to the Blackwater Pond Park
(2) $440,000.00 for Egg Harbor Township to acquire 17 acres near Canale Park for use as parkland
(3) $162,250.00 for Galloway Township to acquire the 20-acre Vettese Blueberry Farm to allow for the expansion of Gabriel Field
(4) $340,600.00 for the City of Port Republic to acquire 84.24 acres for use as a passive recreation park and thereby protect an existing pond and stream

For more information, please contact Joe Maher, Department Head, Regional Planning and Economic Development, at (609) 645-5898.

County News