Huge 3,100-acre land donation will become an N.J. hiker’s paradise
The Lacey Township property is adjacent to an 8,000-acre tract acquired by Ocean County in February, and will form an 11,000-acre preserve.
Nature Conservancy land transfer to FRM
- Thread starter bobpbx
- Start date
I was curious as the conservancy signs are still up in this area. So I reached out to the conservancy about it. The closing has been delayed and they are hoping to finish by late fall. Also found out ocean county is going to put a parking lot on lacey road for this land.
Is this the area currently known as the Candace McKee Asmun Preserve? This all sounds good, however I believe the whole area was already public openspace, wasn't it? Or is there something new here?
Please forgive, but this is really, really roughly drawn. The county owns the Forked River Mountain area encircled in red. The Nature Conservancy owned the area in fuchsia color for at least 10 years, but transferred it to the county.
Bob's drawing is correct. It extends from lacey road to just past Bryant rd above the big pit that is closed now.
FWIW, here is what my data shows, displayed on the same map. The lavendar area is existing Forked River Mountain Openspace, including the more recent acquisitions of the past couple years. Not completely sure how much of this is a County park, Bob's map would suggest that this probably includes the area that was transferred from the Nature Conservancy. The blue areas represent the Forked River Mountain WMA. The orange area is the Candace McKee Asmun Preserve and apparently that is still owned by the Nature Conservancy?
So, it sounds like this is really just an admistrative thing with no impact on what is already considered "openspace". Regardless, when all of these are combined it's a really nice big block of public land for us all to enjoy.
So, it sounds like this is really just an admistrative thing with no impact on what is already considered "openspace". Regardless, when all of these are combined it's a really nice big block of public land for us all to enjoy.
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You're right Bob, I tend to get those organizations confused. 
Candace McKee Ashmun Preserve - New Jersey Conservation Foundation
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