Open Space Preservation

Open Space Preservation
Maintaining a balance between open space and development has long been a priority in Middlesex County. The MCIA conducts legal and technical due diligence for the Middlesex County Open Space Trust Fund and negotiates the purchase of key parcels of land.

The Trust Fund is supported by a special tax levy of three cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation, approved by Middlesex County voters in 1995 and 2001. The levy pays the debt service on revenue bonds issued by the MCIA, which finance the acquisition of various parcels of land to ensure that many of the county’s undeveloped areas remain untouched forever.

Since the program began, more than 6,800 acres have been saved from development. Some acquisitions include:

232 acres of open space in East Brunswick township known as Tamarack Hollow was acquired in August 2007. The land had been approved for 57 homes and a sewage treatment facility.
127 acres of open space in the heart of South Brunswick township, known as the Boyko property were acquired in 2005.
The open space fund has committed $7 million to purchase 90 acres in South Brunswick's most populated areas for open space reservation known as the Stanton property, the site will act as a buffer between Kendall Park and Route 1.
In 2005, the County and the Borough of Metuchen purchased a 2.68-acre parcel of land that will serve as a trailhead to the Middlesex County Greenway.
530 acres of open space known as the Plainsboro Preserve, 129 acres of which will be farmed for up to 30 years and then transitioned to open space. The property includes two streams, a portion of McCormack Lake, wetlands and woodlands.
South River Waterfront - 37.36 acres of vacant land along the South River. This purchase expands Grekoski Park which borders the land. This property is one of the last remaining parcels of open space left in the Borough of South River.
Thompson Park Extension in Monroe Township, also known as Bank of China Properties, nearly 825 acres. Adjacent to Thompson Park and Perrineville Road. This land had potential for residential/commercial development. Funding is a partnership with the Township of Monroe, State of New Jersey and Middlesex County. The State has interest in preserving more than 200 acres that are linked to Revolutionary War history.
On June 13, 2002, the County acquired, by condemnation, the Red’s Marina property in the Borough of Highland Park. This waterfront property consists of 3.45 acres. The MCIA negotiated with the owners for six months to purchase this property. However, these attempts proved unsuccessful. The Freeholder Board determined a condemnation action was appropriate because of the important link that this parcel provides from Highland Park to the Raritan River.
On August 22, 2002, the County closed on nearly one acre located adjacent to the Tamarack County Golf Course. This property, known as the Church Lane Property in East Brunswick will provide a buffer between Church Lane and a green on the course.

A closing took place on August 20, 2002 on the Schoolhouse Road property in the Township of Monroe. This 17-acre parcel is part of the Thompson Park Extension II Project and is located adjacent to the County-owned Bank of China open space property
A closing took Place on March 29, 2002 on the 54 Davidson Mill Road Property, consisting of 5.528 acres. This purchase extends the Davidson’s Mill Pond Park located in the Township of South Brunswick.
In 2001, The first Open Space Trust Fund signs marking properties purchased and preserved forever were unveiled. The carved wood signs will continue to be placed throughout the county on land purchased and protected by the Middlesex County Open Space Trust Fund.
Two parcels totaling more than 16 acres in the Jamesburg Park Extension Project located in Monroe Township. (these parcels are links in a string of properties that make up the Jamesburg Park Extension.) One of the parcels consisting of 14 acres was a donation by the Pergola family to the County of Middlesex.
Nearly 190 acres was purchased in South Brunswick Township, of which 80 acres was a co-purchase between the County and the municipality. This project is known as the Broadway/Friendship Road Conservation Area.
Co-purchased 9 acres in South Plainfield, known as the Clinton Avenue Park Project, was one of the last remaining open space parcels in South Plainfield.
Two parcels totaling more than 80 acres was purchased in South Brunswick Township. (these parcels are links in a string of properties that make up the Davidson Mill Park Extension Project.) One of the parcels consisting of more than 12 acres includes a lease agreement for up to 7 years on a small portion of the land. The balance of the acres were purchased with a combination of County Open Space Trust Funds and Green Acres participation.
Lapinski Farm, 39 acres, in East Brunswick Township was a co-purchase between the County of Middlesex, East Brunswick Township, and the State of NJ. The Lapinski Farm is adjacent to the 27-acre Kelemen Farm property, which was previously purchased by East Brunswick Township.
More than 87 acres in the Thompson Park Extension II Project, known as the Witherb Property, was purchased with County Open Space funds and Green Acres funds.
Nearly 14 acres located in the Borough of Milltown, along Washington Avenue, known as the Washington Avenue Project, were acquired by eminent domain in December of 2001.
In December of 2002, the County closed on the Middlesex Greenway Project. The Greenway Project is an abandoned railroad right-of-way running through the Borough of Metuchen and the Townships of Woodbridge and Edison, extending a distance of 3.5 miles. Consolidated Rail Corporation donated the property to the County for $1.00 with the condition that the County would pay $50,000 to Conrail for their administration costs (i.e., legal, and appraisal).
In December of 2002, the County acquired an additional 75.83 acres in Monroe Township by condemnation. The property known as Hawthorne Acres is part of the Thompson Park Extension III Project.
On January 6, 2003, the County acquired nearly 97 acres in Woodbridge Township, known as the Pin Oak Forest Project. This property is located along Omar Avenue and Rahway Avenue. This project was one of the original sixteen projects approved by the Middlesex County Open Space Committee and the Freeholders. This acquisition represents the County’s first open space purchase in Woodbridge Township.
On January 9, 2003, the County purchased nearly 48 acres in the Township of Monroe, which are part of the Thompson Park Extension II Project. This parcel is known as the Shipper Property.