Freeholders salute open space projects

FREEHOLD — The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders at its July 8 meeting recognized local open space grant projects in 14 towns by presenting them with signs to commemorate completion of park acquisition and improvement projects.

“What better time than July’s National Park and Recreation Month to recognize communities who successfully completed Municipal Open Space Grant Program projects in the past year,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, who serves as the board’s liaison to the county park system.

Municipalities recognized by the board are:

• Keyport for completing two park playground projects, one at Beach Park and one at Therese Avenue Park.

• Middletown for its acquisition of the former Fisler tract, a 3.8-acre parcel on Compton’s Creek.

• Monmouth Beach for adding a new playground at Shorelands Park, and resurfacing five tennis courts and adding a new restroom building at Griffin Park.

• Oceanport for two phases of improvements at Old Wharf Park that include a boat launch, two fishing platforms, walkways, benches, lighting, landscaping and expanded parking areas.

• Red Bank for completing phase one of improvements at Count Basie Park, including a new concession stand with accessible restrooms, resurfacing of the basketball courts, and improving the access to the bleachers and walkways.

• Union Beach for completing a project at Scholer Park that added a Little League field, a softball field and parking spaces.

• West Long Branch for the new lighting along the lakeside trail at Franklin Lake.

• Atlantic Highlands for its completion of the Harbor Skate Park.

• Avon-by-the-Sea for its acquisition of a waterfront property on the Shark River as the new Riverfront Park.

• Howell for its construction of a new basketball court, playground, picnic area and walking trails at Freewood Acres Neighborhood Park.

• Millstone for its preservation of the 148-acre former Lee Farm as a new township park.

• Neptune City for its second phase of improvements to Adams Field Park, including a new picnic pavilion, renovated concession/restroom building, the addition of ball field backstops, and installation of a security camera system.

• Spring Lake Heights for its acquisition of the Fletcher Property, a 2.5-acre parcel adjacent to the borough’s existing Allaire Road Park; and

• Wall for its preservation of the Historic Blacksmith S.

Created by the freeholders in 2003, the annual Municipal Open Space Grant Program offers matching grants of up to $250,000 for municipal open space acquisition and development projects. Since its inception, the program has awarded funding in support of 90 important local park and recreation projects in 43 Monmouth County municipalities.

“Both land acquisition and park, recreation and open space improvement efforts are eligible for funding,” Freeholder John D’Amico said. “All of Monmouth County’s 53 municipalities have until Sept. 22 to submit an application for the next round of matching grants.”

Applications for the 2010 Municipal Open Space Grant Program are available now on the park system’s website at monmouthcountyparks. com. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22.