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Hunterdon County Commissioners approve open space grants to protect 72-acres in Readington, Raritan, and Kingwood

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County Commissioners recently announced the approval of Open Space Acquisition Assistance Grants to support the preservation of vital land across the county.

The allocation of grant funds for securing a total of 72 acres for Open Space preservation was given to Readington Township, Raritan Township, and Kingwood Township.

Commissioner Jeff Kuhl emphasized the importance of these acquisitions, and said, “Open space and farmland preservation are essential for maintaining the high quality of life for Hunterdon County residents. These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to protecting our local environment and preserving open space for future generations.”

Readington Township will receive funding for the acquisition of 416 Main Street, an estimated 8 acres of property that is adjacent to exiting railroad lines and provides the potential for future connections of a rail trail from Neshanic Station into Three Bridges. This access will increase recreational opportunities from Main Street for residents.

Raritan Township is partnering with the Hunterdon Land Trust to preserve R&D Realty property, that is 18 acres of half-zoned residential and half-zoned industrial, with the intent for environmental protection and watershed restoration, furthering efforts to protect natural habitats and promote sustainable land use within the township.

The largest acquisition of 56 acres will be the Chaitman Property, in Kingwood Township, located adjacent to Horseshoe Bend Park and will add significant acreage to the existing park. Preservation of this valuable land will eliminate any conflicting uses and contribute to the township’s open space and conservation goals.

Commissioner and liaison for the Planning and Land Use Department, Zach Rich said, “By securing these properties, we are taking significant steps towards preserving the natural beauty and expanding the open space access of our county. To date, the county has successfully preserved over 38,000 acres of open space land.”

The approved grants underscore Hunterdon County’s ongoing efforts to preserve open spaces, support local agriculture, and provide residents with access to natural areas. These acquisitions are made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee and the Open Space Trust Fund.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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