WITH THE permit to proceed from the Pinelands Commission in hand, Ocean County is just a step away from beginning construction on a new County park in Manchester Township.

"I am pleased to announce that on Friday, Oct. 11 we received word that the Pinelands Commission unanimously approved our permit for the construction of our County Park in Manchester Township," said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. "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."

Construction will follow the awarding of one more permit from Soil Conservation which is expected in about a month.

"This park is the result of a working relationship with Manchester Township," Haines said.

Manchester Township donated about 215 acres from the township and the County purchased about 12 acres from the township for the park project. The 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.

Haines 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.

"This park will be built in two phases with the first phase focusing on the infrastructure and passive recreation," she said. "Ocean County has always made an effort to fit the use of the land when building parks.

"The use of the site ultimately is driven by what is allowed by any environmental restrictions," Haines said. "The list of proposed amenities for this park is lengthy and will offer something for everyone."

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 said. "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," she said.

Haines noted the new regional County park in Manchester Township will be 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," Haines said. "We are looking forward to breaking ground in the very near future and getting this park built."