NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

County Preserves 27 Acres as Open Space

March 28, 2007 -- Middlesex County has added 27 acres to its 6,000-acre strong Open Space inventory, with the purchase of two parcels in Monroe Township to be preserved forever.

The first property, a 9.6 acre site, is located on Perrineville Road, directly across from the County's Thompson Park, and could have been developed with 11 homes.

A second, 17.74-acre site is located about two miles south on Perrineville Road and is contiguous with the New Jersey State-owned portion of Thompson Park. The property is integral to Monroe's creation of an open space corridor that would run from the Borough of Helmetta to Route 33, the town’s southern border.

"These parcels comply with the original mandate of the Open Space Trust Fund Committee to purchase lands adjacent to other protected land," said Freeholder Camille Fernicola, liaison to the County's Open Space Advisory Committee. "We thank these residents and all who have helped us add land to our Open Space inventory. Our joint efforts benefit all Middlesex County residents."

"These parcels represent the first of several we anticipate purchasing this year," said Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel. "They mark our continuing efforts to preserve as much open land throughout the County as we can to maintain the high quality of life our residents have come to know and expect."

The County will vote on contracts for two additional Monroe Township properties at its next public meeting April 5. If those contracts are approved, an additional 17 acres will be added to the inventory.

Currently, more than 1,000 acres in 11 municipalities are being evaluated for possible purchase for the Open Space Preservation Program.

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