Monday, February 28, 2005
Each day approximately 1,800 of our nation's military veterans die, courageous men and women who represent our family members, our neighbors and co-workers. With this in mind Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced plans to proceed with the expansion of the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery for eligible veterans and their spouses who may choose the cemetery as their final resting place. The cemetery, located on 8.2 acres within the county's Estell Manor Park, currently includes 2,160 interments. It is projected to fulfill its capacity of 5,040 interments as early as 2010 based on the number of existing interments, reservations and pre-registered veterans and spouses.
"We owe our veterans honor and dignity in death just as in life. The expansion of our veterans cemetery will help provide them and their loved ones with this assurance and serve as a proper tribute," said Levinson.
Late last year the county began the development of a master plan for the Estell Manor Park that incorporates the expansion of the veterans cemetery and the changes it necessitates. This includes a "land swap" or diversion of approximately 15 acres of parkland adjacent to the existing cemetery that has been designated for the expansion. Such a diversion requires approval through the state Green Acres program and the State House Commission. The master plan will address relocating some recreation facilities impacted by the diversion in addition to providing guidelines for future physical and operational improvements.
County officials met with representatives of the state Green Acres program in mid-February during a pre-application meeting. Results of this initial review by Green Acres could come as early as this week which would allow the county to move forward to final application. At that time, the county would attain appraisals for the diverted land and the land to be purchased to offset the diversion. Upon completion of the land acquisition and approval by Green Acres, the application must receive final approval by the State House Commission that meets four times a year. Ideally, the diversion and expansion of the cemetery could receive the final go ahead by this fall.
The Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery was established in May 1985 on 4.2 acres within the Estell Manor Park. An additional four acres was approved by the State House Commission in December 1999 which increased the overall capacity from 2,640 to 5,040 interments. The proposed expansion would nearly double that capacity.
For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2223.