Map to highlight parks, open space

By: Purvi Desai
   MILLSTONE — Township officials are producing a map highlighting streets, open space and parks that is expected to be mailed to residents in March 2007.
   "We discussed at our open space meetings what projects we wanted to take on in 2007," said Cory Wingerter, the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Council’s vice chairman. "The council members agreed that a community map (including) municipal contact information, open space and preserved farmland properties, a park guide and trails would be beneficial to the residents."
   Mr. Wingerter said he initiated the idea for the map (a joint project between the Millstone Township Open Space and Farmland Preservation Council in collaboration with the Township Committee and the Recreation Commission) and the Open Space council thought it would be a good idea to pair with the Recreation Commission on this project.
   "I attended two of their meetings, (and) explained what our goal was with the map, and asked for their help," he said. "The (recreation) commissioners agreed that it was a good idea. (They) will supply us with a guide as to what activities are available at the various parks within the township. They will also assist us in getting advertisers."
   The funding for this map will be provided through advertising from businesses in the township, Mr. Wingerter said.
   "We are selling ads around the border of the map," he said. "The ads are selling extremely well."
   According to the flier mailed to prospective advertisers, "any profit from the map will go directly to the municipal open space fund."
   Mr. Wingerter said the map would be included in the annual mailer sent out to residents by the township in March.
   Ten thousand copies of the map will be printed and mailed, while additional copies will be available at local post offices, schools, municipal offices, Charleston Spring Golf Course and local delis, Mr. Wingerter said.
   "New residents will receive a copy in the Township Welcome Packet," he said. "Advertisers will also be given copies for distribution."
   The map will include contact information for the municipal government, the local Board of Education, the fire commissioners and other important township organizations, Mr. Wingerter said.
   "Kathy Naugle, our open space secretary, will be the lead municipal staff person," he said, adding that she can be contacted for advertising information.
   "We are asking the (Monmouth County) park system to supply us with information," Mr. Wingerter said of the additional information that the open space council wants to include in the map. "We may include the ZIP code areas on the map. The existing and proposed trails will be listed. Freeholder and state representative contact information will be listed. We are hoping to get the houses of worship information listed. We want to make it a real community map.
   "The park guide will show proposed park activities and facilities, and also have school board contact information and list the recreation activities available at the schools, he said.
   "We are looking for this to be well-received by the residents," Mr. Wingerter said. "It will highlight the accomplishments of the Township Committee and the open space council in preserving land in Millstone. It will highlight the efforts of our Township Committee and rec commission in providing recreation throughout the township."