Open Space Committee

Whereas, the Township of Manchester established the “Open Space Trust Fund” to be used for the acquisition of land for conservation, open space, and preservation of historic properties.

The Open Space Advisory Committee will advise and make recommendations to the Township Council regarding the preservation and purchase of land for open space.

The Open Space Advisory Committee’s Plan will carry out the aforementioned purposes. The purpose of the Plan is to maintain the rural and rustic character of the Township. Further the Advisory Committee desires to ensure the preservation of the diversified woodland and forest areas within the Township. The committee feels an extra burden to preserve these woodlands that lie within the Pine Barren region, an environmentally sensitive and important area. Recreational areas will be provided that will improve the quality of life for the diversified population of Manchester.

The Manchester Township Open Space Advisory Committee invites any resident and/or property owner to recommend properties to us that could be included on an inventory list of properties to be acquired for open space.

Download your Open Space Plan here

The open space advisory committee consists of :

•Sam Fusaro, Township Counil Liason
•Martin Lynch, Township Employee
•William Floor, Environmental Commission Representative
•James Teague, Planning Board Representative

(Left to right):  Manchester Mayor Kenneth T. Palmer; Ocean County Freeholder Virginia Haines, and Michael Mangum, Director of Ocean County Parks & Recreation, recently walked the park site. “This will benefit our residents and the entire region,” Mayor Palmer said. “It is something we’ve been asking for.”

Manchester’s County Park Plans Move Forward

Plans are proceeding for construction of Ocean County’s newest park in Manchester Township located near County Route 571 and Ridgeway Boulevard.

Design of the park facility will soon be underway and will host both open space and recreational areas. Approximately half of the 215 acre site will be dedicated to active recreation and a separate passive setting containing wetlands and buffer area. Plans include a comfort station, flag area, picnic pavilions, water fountains, playground, pickle ball court, soccer field, baseball/softball field, open play field, as well as hiking trails.

OPEN SPACE DEDICATION IN MANCHESTER

Manchester Township held a dedication ceremony for a 9.7 acre parcel of open space on Wednesday, April 14th, 2004. The property is located adjacent to the existing 10 acre park on Johnson Avenue in the Ridgeway area of the Township.  Then Mayor Michael Fressola and Township Council members Joseph Wennberg and Robert Pigott were joined by Open Space Committee Members, Fred Trutkoff, Nikolaus Holinaty, Martin Lynch and Ken Vanderziel for the dedication. Also present were Deputy Township Clerk Sabino Skibo and Paul Ricci from T&M Associates, who prepared the Township’s Open Space Plan. Danny Sodano, a Boy Scout from Manchester Township, was invited to attend after he wrote a letter to Councilman Wennberg in support of Open Space purchases. This dedication was special as it marks the first purchase of Open Space based upon the Open Space Committee’s recommendations. The Committee was formed in 2002 as a result of the Township residents’ overwhelming approval of a Township Referendum, which created the Open Space Trust Fund.

At the recommendation of the Open Space Committee, the Township has acquired the following properties throughout the Township:

Please contact us at openspace@manchestertwp.com with your recommendations or questions.