(13/P85) TRENTON – The Christie Administration today announced the preservation of 130 acres in Hopewell Township that will provide opportunities for recreational pursuits while protecting a stream that feeds into the nearby Cohansey River.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Acres Program facilitated the preservation of the land, which is comprised of woodlands, a former nursery and farmland adjacent to Bridgeton City Park.

Green Acres provided more than $1 million in grants to the City of Bridgeton, Cumberland County and the American Littoral Society, which worked in partnership with Hopewell Township, the Open Space Conservancy and the William Penn Foundation. The land was purchased from J.S. Hovnanian and Sons.

“This acquisition is another great addition to New Jersey’s impressive inventory of open space preserved with the help and expertise of the Green Acres Program,” said Richard Boornazian, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “We are extremely happy to have played a key role in preserving this land for the enjoyment of area residents and protection of our environment.”

The preservation was announced today during a press conference at the Hopewell Crest School.

The land lies adjacent to Barrett Run, a tributary to the Cohansey River, which flows through Bridgeton City Park. The property has the potential for both passive and active recreational uses such as sports fields and trails for hiking and nature appreciation. Trails could link the area to the Bridgeton City Park, as well as other local parks. Hopewell Township will manage the land.

“This project was a dynamic partnership among diverse groups with a common interest  to preserve open space in Southern New Jersey,” said Hopewell Mayor Bruce Hankins.  “We are thrilled to secure this funding on behalf of the people and the county.  This land will be here for future generations to enjoy.”

The land was provided by J.S. Hovnanian & Sons, a New Jersey real estate developer.

“We are honored to be a part of this project and a partner in preserving this land.  By working in harmony with our strategic partners we made our field of dreams a reality,” said Peter Hovnanian, Principal, J.S. Hovnanian & Sons.

“The Barrett’s Run project is a model for land conservation in the Delaware Bayshore region,” said American Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham. “It protects the Cohansey River, provides needed recreational opportunities and connects the City of Bridgeton with its neighbor Hopewell. The partnership between the Littoral Society, Hopewell, Bridgeton, Green Acres, the Open Space Conservancy and the William Penn Foundation brings the talents of each to the project, and was key to its success.”

Together with public and private partners, the Green Acres program has directly protected 650,000 acres of open space and provided hundreds of recreational opportunities for a wide range of activities, including natural areas, hiking and fishing areas, city parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, boat ramps, docks, fishing piers and environmental education.

In addition to providing recreation opportunities, Green Acres projects help protect water quality and stimulate economic development by creating jobs, at the same time making cities and towns more attractive places to live and work.

For more information on the DEP’s Green Acres Program, visit:
http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres/