Draft 8/31/2020 Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Joseph H. Vicari, Freeholder Director Gary Quinn, Deputy Freeholder Director Virginia E. Haines, Freeholder John P. Kelly, Freeholder Gerry P. Little, Freeholder Adopted: Ocean County Planning Board Resolution # Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Resolution # Cover Photo: Wells Mills County Park, Ocean Township Page 2 of 55 Planning Board James B. Russell ................................................................................................................................................... Chairman Earl F. Sutton, Jr ......................................................................................................................................... Vice Chairman Joseph H. Vicari ................................................................................................................................. Freeholder Director Gary Quinn ............................................................................................................ Freeholder, Planning Board Liaison John N. Ernst .......................................................................................................................................... County Engineer Joseph Bilotta ......................................................................................................................................................... Member Dennis Liberatore .................................................................................................................................................. Member Elaine McCrystal .................................................................................................................................................... Member Scott K. Tirella. ...................................................................................................................................................... Member Gerry P. Little ................................................................................................................... Freeholder Alternate Member Mark Jehnke ............................................................................................................................ Assistant County Engineer Alan W. Avery Jr. .................................................................................................................................. Alternate Member Joseph R. Marra. .................................................................................................................................... Alternate Member John C. Sahradnik ..................................................................................................................................... County Counsel Robin L. Florio ...................................................................................................................................................... Secretary Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee Alan W. Avery, Jr. ................................................................................................................................................ Chairman Ronald S. Dancer ........................................................................................................................................ Vice Chairman John A. Bacchione ................................................................................................................................................. Member Martin E. Flemming, III ....................................................................................................................................... Member William Fox ............................................................................................................................................................ Member David J. McKeon ................................................................................................................................................... Member Gregory E. Myhre .................................................................................................................................................. Member Terry O’Leary ........................................................................................................................................................ Member John P. Wnek .......................................................................................................................................................... Member Planning Department Staff Anthony M. Agliata, PP, LLA .............................................................................................................. Planning Director Mark A. C. Villinger, PP, AICP, CFM ........................................................................................... Supervising Planner Victoria K. Pecchioli, PP, LLA ............................................................................................................. Principal Planner Steven J. Simone, PP, AICP .................................................................................................................. Principal Planner Markian Borkowsky .................................................................................................................................. Planner Trainee Scott M. Cadigan ........................................................................................................................................ GIS Specialist I Thomas Thorsen ...................................................................................................................................... GIS Specialist II Nicole Leaf…. ............................................................................................................... Environmental Services Trainee Robin L. Florio ........................................................................................................ Supervising Administrative Analyst Kayla Kubiel ................................................................................................................. Assistant Administrative Analyst Nancy B. Toth .................................................................................................................Principal Account Clerk Typist Veronica L. Tompkins .....................................................................................................................Keyboarding Clerk 3 Brielle Campolei ..................................................................................................................................... Keyboard Clerk 2 Richard G. Mongaliri ......................................................................... Airpark Building Maintenance/Groundskeeper Department of Parks and Recreation, Key Staff Michael T. Mangum ............................................................................................................................................... Director Mary Jane Bavais ................................................................................................................................... Assistant Director Jason Hoger ...................................................................................................................................... Chief Park Naturalist Geoffrey Lohmeyer ........................................................................................................................ County Park Manager Joseph Pirozek ................................................................................................................ Recreation Program Supervisor Page 3 of 55 Contents Executive Summary.............................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 1. Open Space Funding Policy ................................................................ 6 Chapter 2. Goals and Policies ................................................................................. 14 Chapter 3. Inventory ................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 4. Current and Future Needs Analysis ............................................ 28 Chapter 5. Priority and Resource Assessments ............................................ 36 Chapter 6. Action Plan and Recommendations ........................................... 47 Appendix A Ocean County Parks and Recreation Appendix B Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Program Appendix C Municipal Inventories Appendix D Public Notice and Comments Page 4 of 55 Executive Summary Ocean County has a rich diversity of natural resources that provide ample recreational opportunities for county residents and visitors alike. All levels of governments have a responsibility to meet the public need for recreational facilities, parks, and open space. Private enterprises, such as campgrounds, boat rentals, boardwalks and amusement centers, also play an important role in fulfilling the demand for recreation. The Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department was established in 1940 with a donation from the heirs of John D. Rockefeller of their summer resort in Lakewood, New Jersey. Since the inception of the Parks Department, the County has been committed to providing Parks facilities that fulfill public recreational needs. In October 1968, the Board of Chosen Freeholders established the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, a division of Parks and Recreation, which encourages creative and cultural expressions, promotes public interest