Please write Freeholder John Bartlett, PO Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754 and urge the Ocean County Freeholders to (1) increase funding for natural open space – (Ocean County spends less on open space. See MAP); and (2) acquire more waterfront tracts as parks. IT’S NOW OR NEVER !

You can help Save Barnegat Bay by writing a letter:

Although Ocean County has an excellent program to save natural open space, the rate at which the county is being developed is far outpacing the rate at which open space is being acquired. You can help.

Ocean County’s modest open space tax – which was voted on favorably by voters several years ago – is less than neighboring counties.

In addition, Ocean County is not presently purchasing waterfront open space for use as parks. This failure poses the dual threat of intensive development where it is most harmful to Barnegat Bay, and a waterfront closed off to all but waterfront homeowners.

On a single transportation project, the widening of Brick Boulevard for two miles between Dusquesne Avenue and Beaverson Boulevard, Ocean County will spend thirteen million dollars – more than the combined County budget for conserving natural open space for the last three years. If this sort of money can be found for a needed road widening, then similar funding can be found to protect waterfront open space tracts for all time.

Please help by writing:

Freeholder John Bartlett
PO Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754

(1) Ask Freeholder Bartlett to place a referendum on the November ballot allowing voters to enlarge the Natural Lands Trust Fund.

(2) Ask Freeholder Bartlett to initiate a program of purchasing waterfront tracts for public use.

Traders Cove in Brick Township is but one tract that could provide public access to the Bay forever if the Freeholders could see their way to meet the challenge today. Other attractive sites exist in Toms River, Waretown, Barnegat Light, and many other locations.

Ocean County is spending less than neighboring counties on open space. See MAP.

The Boroughs of Mantoloking and Bay Head have passed Resolutions urging the Ocean County Freeholders to purchase Traders Cove as a park.

YOU ALSO CAN HELP by downloading and circulating this petition urging the Board of Chosen Freeholders to purchase Traders Cove as a park.

PARKS, NOT CITIES