WITH THE FULL support of Berkeley Township officials, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently extended its greenbelt into another portion of the township with the purchase of almost 27 acres off of Route 9 that will be preserved as open space.

Known locally as the former Blackbeards Cave property, the purchase, recommended by the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee, will extend the county's open space leading to the "Northeast Mall Donation" property and onto the Barnegat Branch Trail and the more than 800 acres of open space known as the New Jersey Pulverizing property.

"This property along with an anticipated donation of 50 acres from the township expands our preserved open space in Berkeley Township substantially," said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, liaison to the county's open space program. "I am pleased we could work with the township in preserving this land for future generations."

Four of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners voted in favor of the purchase while Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari abstained.

"I am not against this purchase," Vicari said. "I have some concerns as to the price that we are paying. I have been contacted by some residents and business owners that also raised concerns."

Vicari had requested additional time to review the matter further.

The negotiated purchase price for the property, with 195 feet of frontage on Route 9 and known as the Florence T. Allen Ext. II was $5.9 million.

Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen Amato, during the Oct. 4 Commissioner meeting, extended his appreciation to the Board of Commissioners for purchasing this property as did Councilman John Bacchione who serves as a member of the county's Natural Lands Advisory Committee.

"The Township would not be able to handle the traffic flow if this property was to be developed," Amato said. "This acquisition buffers the area while expanding on an existing preserve."

Bacchione noted the Mayor and Council supported the acquisition.

"Based on the location to other parcels of open space in the Township, including its proximity to the county's Barnegat Branch Trail we are not only preserving open space but we ultimately will provide additional recreational opportunities for our residents, protect the environment and maintain our quality of life," Bacchione said.

Haines noted that the property is adjacent to the more than 800 acres of existing natural lands at what is known as the New Jersey Pulverizing site.

"We anticipate starting work in the near future on extending our Barnegat Branch Trail into an area of the 800 acres," Haines said. "When completed, residents and visitors will have access to some of the most beautiful areas of the Township and it will forever remain open space."

The acquisition also will provide access to the New Jersey Pulverizing site directly from Route 9, which would grant Pine Beach and Berkeley Township residents along Route 9 quicker, more convenient access to the property as well as emergency services when needed.

Haines said she appreciated the support of Berkeley Township in moving ahead with the acquisition.
"Partnerships such as this have helped to make our natural lands program a success," she said.

The demolition and removal of structures on the 27 acres site will be taken care of by the property owner at no cost to the County.

"The property owners are actively working on demolishing the existing structures," Haines said. "We hope to close on the property before the New Year."