By Sunayana Prabhu
MIDDLETOWN – The township committee has introduced an ordinance aimed at acquiring 17 acres of property along the Navesink River, adjacent to River Plaza Elementary School. This initiative, discussed during the committee meeting Oct. 7, will preserve the open space, allow safety improvements to the pedestrian walkway, and enhance recreational opportunities for residents.
The township has entered into a purchase and sale agreement with the Richard J. Stavola Family Trust, owners of the property located at 127 Hub- bard Ave. which includes two lots.
To support this acquisition, the committee also introduced an ordinance to allocate $2.1 million in funding. The property includes wetlands that will be permanently preserved as wildlife habitat.
“Being in a financial position to acquire this land highlights precisely why we have a dedicated Open Space Trust Fund,” Mayor Tony Perry said in a press release Oct. 8.
Since the establishment of the Open Space Trust in 1998, Middletown has successfully acquired and preserved 275 acres of land, with a total investment exceeding $30 million. “This area of open space will not only provide the River Plaza Elementary School community with a safe place to walk and play, but it will also be a peaceful and passive recreation area for the public to enjoy,” Perry said.
The township’s efforts to protect open space have garnered strong community support. In 2020, over 66% of Middletown voters backed a referendum that allowed the township to amend the dedicated Open Space Trust annual collection rate from two cents to three cents per $100 in property valuation.
The township has many open and recreational areas, with approximately 80 parks throughout the town encompassing nearly 6,000 acres, including one national park, nine county parks and 70 township parks. Last year, the township allocated around $568,000 for park improvements in its commitment to maintaining and enhancing these public spaces.
The committee is also pursuing additional properties for preservation, including land on Red Hill Road, West Nut Swamp Road, and 23 acres off Chapel Hill Road. The township has also been utilizing the trust’s funds to enhance recreational facilities by resurfacing basketball courts across town and creating the skate park at Kunkel Park. It is also preserving historic landmarks such as the Conover Beacon in Leonardo and the Murray Farmhouse and Barn at Poricy Park.
The article originally appeared in the October 10 – October 16, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
