Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to the Jersey Shore for their summertime fun. Ventnor, Margate, and Longport swell to double or triple their size at that time. Fortunately, Ventnor managed to hold on to some vacant land even while development occurred all around. While Margate wrestles with whether or not to build a boardwalk, Ventnor officials recently discussed plans on turning a 120-acre parcel of land in Ventnor West into an eco-park for public use.
Ventnor West Eco-Park
A Little History
For over 20 years now, Ventnor residents defended this vacant parcel of land. First, against residential development in 1997. Then, against use as a dumping ground a decade later. Taxpayers began paying an Open Space and Recreation Tax to the County after approving a referendum in 2004. Of the $24.5 million currently on the books from the tax, Ventnor residents supplied over $3.2 million of it. As of today, none of it has been used for any projects in Ventnor. City officials would like that to change in the form of a possible eco-park in Ventnor West.
Proposed Master Plan
At their October 22nd meeting, Ventnor Commission Tim Kriebel suggested that the undeveloped 120-acre Ventnor West area would better serve the public with a fitness park located near the current tennis courts. He also proposed creating parklets around the area where local businesses could operate. This would encourage entrepreneurship while offering services to the public. It also would bring in more tax dollars to city coffers. Some of the Open Space Fund could be spent on esthetic improvements to Dorsett Avenue.
Another much more pressing need could also be met by improving the Ski Beach boat ramp area. Currently, it provides the only boat launch area for all of Ventnor, Margate, and Longport. The last time it received any refurbishment was back in the late 1990s. Now, over 20 years later, it is in desperate need of major TLC. They want to still leave some natural wetlands but would like to build observation areas and walkways to allow the public to see nature in all its splendor up close.
Why spend money on Ventnor West? It helps preserve some of the natural habitats at the Jersey Shore while granting public access and use of the land as well. Creating a “living shoreline” also helps protect and stabilize the land from natural erosion. What are your thoughts on this project? Are you for or against? Sound off in the comments below.
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate