Where is Toms River's latest open space purchase?
TOMS RIVER -- A 21-acre parcel on Whitty Road is expected to become Toms River's latest open space purchase, after the township council approved spending $3.7 million to buy the land.
The property was offered to the township by St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, which owns the land next to Donovan Catholic athletic fields. Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr. said that 17 homes could be built on the property if it had been developed according to a previously approved site plan.
"They approached us first," Hill said, "they gave us the first right of refusal. We jumped on it really quick."
Hill said the plan is to add the property to the township's open space inventory, and leave it undeveloped.
"We'll probably just keep it as open space," he said. "There are wetlands in the area. We will leave it natural."
Teens cause issues in Seaside: Seaside Heights looks to control rowdy teens, pop-up parties
The land purchase is the latest in a number of recent preservation efforts by the township as Toms River's population continues to grow.
Recent buys include 16.6 acres adjacent to Silver Bay Elementary School, which will be purchased for $4.4 million to help the Toms River Regional schools bridge a budget gap; property on the corner of Washington and Robbins streets, where an apartment building had been planned, for about $1 million, and a wooded 7-acre parcel on Silverton Road for about $1 million.
In recent years, the township also bought the former site of Joey Harrison's Surf Club in Ortley Beach, as well as 50 acres of land on Route 9, between Riverwood Drive and Cox Cro Road.
Hurricane season: Here's what New Jersey can expect for Hurricane Season
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore since 1984. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
t
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River to preserve 21 more acres of land. Where is it located?
