Open Space Plan

Weymouth Township Recreational and Open Space Plan

Prepared by Michael A. Hogan

and the Weymouth Township

Environmental Commission

2006

Table of Contents

Page

Executive Summary 1

Goals and Policies 2

Inventory 3

Needs Analysis 6

Resource Assessment 9

Action Plan 11

South River Report 13

Maps

Open Space Acquisition and State Open Space

Wetlands and Forest Area Map

Township Open Space Parcels and Zoning/Smart Growth

Part One. Executive Summary:

Weymouth Township is a rural community in western Atlantic County . Most of the Township is located in the New Jersey Pinelands Preservation Area which is regulated by the New Jersey Pinelands Protection Act. Along the Great Egg Harbor River and Route 50 the Township is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Coastal Area Facilities Review Act. These acts regulate what land uses are allowable, including recreational uses.

Weymouth Township is located in the environmentally important Elwood Corridor between Route 50 and Route 54. This area connects the northern and southern parts of the Pinelands and contains a wealth of natural resources. Of the 12 square miles or approximately 8,000 acres that make up Weymouth Township, 1,352 acres are wetlands, rivers, and lakes and 5,554 are forest. Included are the Great Egg Harbor River, South River, Tuckahoe River and many small tributaries that contain sensitive headwaters, Atlantic White cedar swamps, and habitat of endangered and threatened species.

The Federal Wild and Scenic River designation is granted for rivers that possess outstanding natural resources. In Weymouth Township , 3.31 miles of the Great Egg Harbor River and 5.7 miles of the South River have Federal Scenic and Recreational River designation. With funding from the National Park Service the Weymouth Township Environmental Commission produced the attached natural resources report of the South River Watershed in Weymouth Township .

Weymouth Township contains a wealth of important habitat for State designated threatened and endangered fauna, including the Cooper’s hawk, Pine Barrens tree frog, barred owl and red headed woodpecker; and flora, including the yellow fringed orchid, lily leaf twayblade orchid, chickasaw plum, pine barrens smoke grass, and the federally protected swamp pink lily. The bald eagle and peregrine falcon include portions of the Great Egg Harbor , Tuckahoe and South River in their hunting territory. The alewife spawns in the upper part of the South River .

Most of Weymouth Township residents rely on the Cohansey aquifer for private wells. Only the Belcoville area north of
Route 50 has public water. The Cohansey aquifer is an unconfined aquifer that is susceptible to contamination. Preserving
open space to protect the critical recharge areas, such as uplands forest and watershed divides, will ensure the township’s
future water resources and is an important priority.

The purpose of the Weymouth Township Open Space and Recreation Plan is to establish a planning document that will serve as a guide for providing the open space and recreational needs of its citizens. As Weymouth Township is located the New Jersey Pinelands preservation area, any recommendations in the open space plan must comply with preservation area zoning regulations.

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The plan will propose specific goals and polices and will identify recreational and open space areas that should be acquired or preserved over the next 5 years. The plan will propose specific areas for the New Jersey Pinelands comprehensive management designated “recreational facility, low intensive” and “recreational facility, intensive” uses. The plan will also designate historic farm properties for possible acquisition.

It is anticipated that with additional funding sources, including the Weymouth Township municipal open space fund which was approved in November 2003, the Atlantic County Open Space Program, and non-profit groups such as the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, an efficient and responsive program will be established to take advantage of open space preservation when opportunities arise.

This document was prepared with participation of the Weymouth Township Planning and Zoning Boards and the Weymouth Township Environmental Commission. The plan was also reviewed by the National Park Service, the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association and the Great Egg Harbor River Council.

Part 2. Goals and Policies:

The Weymouth Township Open Space and Recreational Plan recommends the following actions be taken by the Weymouth Township Committee:

1. Set priorities based on availability and competition for lands for:

Recreational uses “intensive” such as ball fields and play grounds.
Recreational uses “low intensity” such as walking, biking and bridle trails.
Historic and cultural resources
Preservation of environmentally sensitive lands including endangered and threatened species habitat.
Continuity to lands presently owned and protected by state agencies and non-profit preservation organizations.

2. Purchase lands that are experiencing development pressures.

3. Purchase lands to develop a living history farm.

4. Purchase lands that allow additional public access to the South and Great

Egg Harbor Rivers.

5. Purchase lands that provide a link between existing parks and lands

owned by State and non-profit agencies.

6. Work with the Atlantic County open space program and non-profit groups

to develop a long range funding strategy.

7. Seek funding to conduct a Township-wide natural resource inventory.

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Part 3. Inventory:

Acres

State Natural Lands Trust 110

State Fish and Wildlife Management Areas 704

Total State owned Land 814

Weymouth Township Owned Land Including

MUA Property 364

Total Open space 1178

The New Jersey Department of Transportation owns 185 acres along the railroad tracks and Route 557.

The 110 acre New Jersey Natural Lands Trust property is located on the tidal portion of the Great Egg Harbor River , is mostly wetlands, and contains threatened and endangered species habitat. It is mostly inaccessible and is not available for public use.

The State owns the 596 acre Great Egg Harbor Wildlife Management Area located on the peninsula between the Great Egg Harbor and South Rivers . This Wildlife Management Area is used for fishing, hunting, and hiking, and provides access to the South River for canoeing and kayaking. The State also owns 108 acres along the Tuckahoe River that abut the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area.

In addition to the listed recreational facilities Weymouth Township owns various undeveloped, scattered parcels throughout the Township, most of which are in the Pinelands forest area zoned locations.

Block and Lot Breakdown of Weymouth Township Open Space

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Owned

Block Lot Location Acres

1 1 15^th Ave 55.00

15 18 10^th Ave 19.24

15 18.01 1516 10^th Ave 34.10

120 1 1900 River Front 429.00

120 10.2 1800 River Front 22.00

120 1.03 1700 South River 11.00

120 1.04 2000 River Front 60.00

120 2 2100 River Front 110.00

121 1 1700 River Front 74.55

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New Jersey Department of Transportation Owned

Block Lot Location Acres

200 1 Rail Road Row 185.00

Weymouth Township Owned

Block Lot Location Acres

1 1.01 1420 15th Ave 7.00

1 10 1406 15th Ave 6.38

1 11 1404 15th Ave .28

2 3.01 5-7 Cape May Ave 2.25

6 9 1504 13th Ave 5.00

7 32 1401 14th Ave 1.14

10 34.02 1402A 12th Ave 1.70

13 10 1411 12t'h Ave 5.00

17 22.01 80A Tuckahoe Rd 1.00

20 1 1 Maple Ave 26.20

20 1.01 3 Maple Ave 5.14

20 2 5 Maple Ave 14.87

27 35 45 S. Jersey Ave 6.15

32 3 1004 11th Ave 8.50

31 101 31 Estelle Ave 1.00

34 34 1102 10th Ave 5.00

35 4.01 1003A 11th Ave 1.25

35 4.02 1003B 11th Ave 1.25

35 7.01 40 Maple Ave 0.43

35 8 1018 10th Ave 4.86

35 15 42-44 Maple Ave 11.70

35 17 46 Maple Ave 5.27

35 17.01 1004 10th Ave 0.25

35 17.02 1004A 10th Ave 0.65

39 18 1101 14th Ave 4.97

50 2 611 16th Ave 4.84

50 5.01 603 16th Ave 0.29

52 9 608 12th Ave 5.00

58 9 508A S. Jersey Ave 0.30

62 3 407 12th Ave 5.00

67 5 303 13th Ave 5.00

67 6 301 13th Ave 5.00

67 9 308 12th Ave 5.00

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68 7 312 11^th Ave 5.00

69 8 310 10^th Ave 5.00

71 5 303 9^th Ave 5.00

73 1 211 13^th Ave 5.00

73 3 207 13^th Ave 5.00

73 6 201 13^th Ave 5.00

73 8 210 12^th Ave 5.00

73 9 201 12^th Ave 5.00

73 10 206 12^th Ave 5.00

73 12 209 12^th Ave 5.00

74 2 209 12^th Ave 5.00

74 3 207 12^th Ave 5.00

74 5 203 12^th Ave 5.00

75 8 210 10^th Ave 5.00

75 12 202 10^th Ave 5.00

80 5 110 12^th Ave 5.00

81 1 112 12^th Ave 5.00

81 5 103 12^th Ave 5.00

81 12 106 11^th Ave 5.00

81 13 104 11^th Ave 5.00

86 1 1004 Blvd. Rt.50 64.50

86.01 2 912-914 11^th Ave 33.10

91 1 1001 Blvd. Rt. 50 0 .25

101 1 1201 Madden Ave 2.02

112 2 1503 Blvd. Rt. 50 0.13

121 2 1300 Grace Ave 2.35

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Part 4. Needs Analysis:

The Weymouth Township Environmental Commission conducted a recreational needs survey to determine the interests and

needs of township residents. A survey form was mailed to every household in the township newspaper and provided at

Weymouth Township events including the annual Wienie Roast, Forth of July Fireworks, and Christmas party.

Open Space /Recreation Questionnaire

(43 responses as of 4/20/04 )

Current Facilities adequate Yes No

14 27

Type of Recreation Requested

Preference Total #

#1 #2 #3 Requests

Trails

Walking Trails 12 8 7 27

Bike Trail 8 9 2 19

Horse Trails 4 1 1 6

Passive Recreation

Park (open space) 4 3 3 10

Picnic Area 1 1

Swings, slides, etc. 1 1 3 5

Sports Facilities

Sports Fields 4 3 2 9

Golf course, par 3 etc. 2 2

Tennis court 2 1 3

Other suggestions:

Need something for seniors/adults 5

Ice Skating 2

Horseshoe pits

Different sports-basket ball, football, hockey

Fishing access to Rivers

Skateboarding

ATV or dirt bike area

Concerts

History Museum

Camping

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Existing Township Recreation Facilities

Municipal Building Grounds

1 Youth ball/soccer field

1 Advanced Playground

The Municipal Building grounds contain a 60 foot youth ball field and side line bleachers. The field is used by the West Atlantic County Youth League for baseball, softball, and soccer. The field is maintained by the township and is in good condition. The advanced playground contains two large modern multi-use pieces each with 8 different units and was installed in 2002. There is also a large tree shaded picnic area with 10+ picnic tables. The field and nearby open areas have also been used for a traveling circus, outdoor concerts, annual 4^th of July fireworks, and annual wienie roast. However parking is sometimes a problem at this location. Many times during the sports season the limited parking spaces for the sports field and town hall are filled and excess cars must park along New Jersey Ave.

Weymouth Elementary School

1 Youth ball/soccer field

1 Advanced Playground

1 Full Size Basketball Court

Weymouth Elementary School contains a 60 foot youth ball field which is also used for soccer. The advanced playground contains 7 pieces and 1 large modern multi use piece with 6 units. All equipment is in good condition. There is one regulation size basketball court which is in good condition. The area is used primarily by students during the school year. It is only open during school hours and is not widely used by residents.

Belcoville Area

1 Youth ball/soccer field

The Belcoville Area contains an undersized youth ball field. This site is occasionally used by the West Atlantic County Youth League but has inadequate parking. There are 8 paved parking spaces around the Marsh Center , with additional parking along the dirt road abutting the ball field. To meet future recreations needs this site needs additional parking spaces, the ball field must be enlarged to regulation size and new play ground equipment should be installed in playground area.

Oaks of Weymouth facilities ( available to Oaks of Weymouth residents only)

1 Pool

1 Tennis Court

1 Bocce Ball Court

1 Shuffleboard

The Oaks of Weymouth is a 55+ retirement community with approximately 500 residents. Facilities include a large pool, tennis courts, shuffle board and bocce ball areas. The facilities are in good condition, are used only by its residents and maintained by the Oaks of Weymouth.

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Population Statistics for Weymouth Township

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Population 685 675 750 788 998 1260 1957 2257

Population 56 55 61 65 82 103 160 185

Density

Numbers -10 75 38 210 262 697 300

Change

% Change -1% 11% 5% 27% 26% 55% 15%

Center for Regional & Business Research

Population Projects, 2010-2020

Weymouth Township 2010 Estimate 2020 Estimate

Population 2,451 2,652

Population 204 221

Density

Numbers +194 +101

Change

Percent Growth From 2000-2010 8.6%