A fter five years of working to save the north end of Asbury Park’s beach, we finally have an opportunity to do so. Under Asbury Park’s current Waterfront Redevelopment Agreement, this area, enjoyed by fisherman, seniors, surfers, dog lovers, beach-goers and outdoor enthusiasts, is slated to become town homes. If this plan comes to fruition, it will destroy one of the last open spaces on our county’s coast. Recent political events at the county level bring hope. Abandoning the townhouse project to create a regional oceanfront park, at Asbury Park’s border with Loch Arbour, seems a real possibility.
Over six months ago, three of the five Monmouth County Freeholders — Curley, Mallet and Arnone— came out in favor of an oceanfront park. Brain Cheripka of iStar, the developer of the proposed town homes, has made public statements indicating their willingness to negotiate with potential partners looking to obtain the land. Recently Asbury Park’s Waterfront Redevelopment Plan Advisory Committee recommended that the Bradley Cove development be removed so the area can be preserved as parkland. The city sent a letter to Freeholder Burry, liaison to the Parks Department, asking the county to consider purchasing the land and development rights. Leaders of other local municipalities have pledged to contact the freeholders expressing their support for a park.
Monday night, Oct. 24, Freeholder Burry and the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners voted to order an appraisal on the Bradley Cove tract in order to determine if the property is feasible for public purchase. The appraisal is contingent on approvals by the city and iStar to access the property to conduct the appraisal.
This is an incredibly important step in preserving one of Monmouth County’s last coastal open spaces. Please express your gratitude and thanks to Freeholder Burry for her leadership, and the Recreation Commissioners for their vote to move forward with the appraisal. A special thanks also goes to Freeholder John Curley and Freeholder Amy Mallet for their steadfast support of this preservation effort.
Joe Werner
Chair
Jersey Shore Chapter
of the Surfrider Foundation
Atlantic Highlands