County recognizes open space project

FREEHOLD — At its meeting on July 10, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders recognized local open space grant projects in five towns by presenting local officials with signs to commemorate the completion of the park acquisition and improvement projects.

"What better time than July's National Park and Recreation Month to recognize communities who successfully completed Municipal Open Space Grant Program projects in the past year," said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Park System.

"This program helps towns preserve open space and acquire and improve parkland by sharing the costs with the county," she said.

Manalapan was one of the towns recognized by the board for its acquisition of a 1.7-acre parcel surrounded by its existing recreation center site.

According to a press release from the county, the acquisition eliminated the potential for conflict between the private property and the adjacent public recreational use and allows for the expansion of much needed recreational facilities.

Accepting the project sign for Manalapan were Mayor Michelle Roth, Superintendent of Parks Mona Cholowinski and Assistant Administrator Renee Garrigana.

Created by the freeholders in 2003, the annual Municipal Open Space Grant Program offers matching grants of up to $250,000 for municipal open space acquisition and development projects. Since its inception, the program has awarded funding in support of 63 local park and recreation projects in 40 Monmouth County municipalities.

"Both land acquisition and park, recreation and open space improvement efforts are eligible for future funding," said Burry. "This a valuable tool to help municipalities maintain and improve the quality of life in their communities."

All of the county's 53 municipalities are eligible to apply for funding awards. Applications for the 2008 Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Grant Program are available now with a filing deadline of Sept. 17.