Manchester Mayor Robert Hudak, in conjunction with the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee, announced the purchasing of the Surf and Stream campground located on the border of Manchester and Toms River townships.  The land purchase is in conjunction with the County’s plan to purchase the Toms River Boys Scouts property that boarders the Surf and Stream property in order to create a passive recreational area for residents to enjoy scenic trails along the Union Branch of the Toms River Creek.

The Manchester Township Council authorized the resolution of support during its final meeting of 2021. The 20-acre purchase deal is expected to be a total of $7.45 million with Manchester Township contributing $1.5 million in township open space funds in order to preserve the blighted area from the future development of approximately 245 homes.

“I’m proud to have worked with the Ocean County Commissioners to make this campground purchase and the accompanying land preservation possible” said Mayor Hudak.  “Our administration prides itself on standing against overdevelopment and being good stewards of both tax dollars and land utilization.  This acquisition will help us in that mission as well as provide additional relief on our police department and first responders that have been forced to frequent this area of town in recent memory.”

The resolution authorized the Township’s support in purchasing this property, which the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee authorized at their January 19th meeting.  “We are very pleased to move forward in preserving this property in Manchester Township as open space,” said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, who serves as liaison to the county’s Natural Lands Trust Fund Program. “Partnering with the township is very beneficial in assuring this land remains forever in its natural state. I extend the appreciation of the Board of Commissioners to Mayor Hudak and Council of Manchester Township. Working together we will make certain this environmental jewel will always remain that way.”