DEP PRESERVES 186 ACRE GOLF COURSE IN MONMOUTH COUNTY
(06/39) Trenton -- Emphasizing the importance of balancing
open space preservation with active recreation, Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced the
acquisition of Cream Ridge Golf Course in Upper Freehold Township.
DEP joined with Upper Freehold to purchase the 186 acre parcel,
which will continue to operate as a golf course.
"With this acquisition, we have succeeded in preserving land
that is part of a larger preservation area," said DEP Commissioner
Lisa P. Jackson. "The public can continue to enjoy a popular
recreational pastime and also admire the spectacular view of open
space, knowing that this large tract of land will not be further
developed."
The newly acquired golf course adjoins permanently preserved farmland
and is near Monmouth County's historic Walnford Park.
DEP and Upper Freehold Township purchased the property for $14,000,000
from the Miscoski family. DEP paid $10.5 million for the property
with the township contributing $3.5 million toward the purchase.
The property consists of a golf course with a club house, restaurant
and a driving range. DEP's Green Acres local assistance program
also provided a 50 percent matching grant to the township to purchase
a 43 acre farm field which is adjacent to the golf course. The field
will be owned and managed by the township and used for active recreation.
DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry will manage the golf course
property and lease the operation of the golf course to the landowner
for up to five years. DEP will look to the Cream Ridge leaseholder,
Miscoksi, to pay taxes on the property and implement improved conservation
measures relating to irrigation and fertilizer use.
"I commend the State of New Jersey for taking the lead in
the preservation of this property in the heart of Upper Freehold
Township," said Upper Freehold Township Mayor Steve Fleischacker.
"This open space acquisition not only provides recreational
opportunities for township residents, but will serve as the cornerstone
of future planning efforts in the town. In addition, we are delighted
that the golf course operator will continue to pay township taxes
for the duration of the lease and that we will not feel any immediate
loss with respect to tax revenue."
DEP's Green Acres program purchased two golf courses in 2005 and
is presently negotiating to buy three more.
The DEP Green Acres Program purchases land to
protect environmentally sensitive open space, water resources and
other significant natural and historical open space. Land acquired
becomes part of the statewide system of parks and forests, wildlife
management areas and natural areas.
So far in 2006, Green Acres
has preserved or assisted in the preservation of 4,540 acres of
open space. Since its inception in 1961, the program has protected
more than 600,000 acres of open space, in addition to providing
funding for the development of hundreds of parks throughout New
Jersey. New Jersey's statewide system of preserved open space and
farmland now amounts to over 1.3 million acres.
To learn more about the Green Acres Program, visit DEP's Web site
at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres/.
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