For Immediate Release
April 16, 2021
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – More than 67 percent of Middletown Township residents voted in favor of the Open Space referendum on the November 2020 General Election Ballot that increased the annual collection rate from $.02 to $.03 per $100 in equalized valuation. Due to this support, the Township is now able to utilize the Open Space Trust Fund to acquire open space, as well as make upgrades and improvements to the more than 60 parks across Middletown.
“Thanks to the voters of Middletown, the Township is able embark on an aggressive campaign to not only preserve open space and historic farmland across town, but also make the necessary upgrades to our recreational facilities,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “Over the course of the next several years, Middletown is set to make significant improvements and upgrades to 10 of our parks and playgrounds all across the township.”
The Department of Public Works will also continue to make improvements to the remainder of Township parks.
Parks and Facilities Upgrades Report as of April, 2021
Completed:
- Croydon Hall Gym (Leonardville Road) – walls and interior painted, complete brand new subfloor and hardwood floor, bleachers (anticipated to arrive in May or June), new roof
Nearing Completion:
- Nut Swamp Turf Field (Nut Swamp Road)
- Normandy Park Project (Nut Swamp Road)
Upcoming:
- Tindall Park (Tindall Road) – as part of the new Master Plan, tennis courts and basketball courts will be resurfaced and the Township will be seeking bids this summer for the construction of the dog park
- Ideal Beach (Bayside Parkway) – installation of fencing and plantings, as well as security cameras
- Butterfly Pollinator Garden at Poricy Park (Oak Hill Road)
- Bodman Playground (Market Street) – brand new playground; existing fully removed and all brand new elements installed
- Chanceville Playground (Aberdeen Terrace) – brand new playground; existing fully removed and all brand new elements installed
- Countryside Playground (Cherry Tree Farm Road) – brand new playground and new location; playground will be positioned near the basketball court on Cherry Tree Farm Road
- Roosevelt Park (Port Monmouth Road) – purchase and installation of an ADA compliant, stainless steel, outdoor water fountain in Roosevelt Park; water fountain features a bottle filler, pet fountain, and hose bib
The playground upgrades are expected to be completed over the next 8-12 weeks.
The Middletown Open Space Trust was established by the voters of Middletown in 1998 with a dedicated tax levy of $.01 per $100 in equalized valuation to ensure that the Township would be able to fund acquisitions and improvements to open space and parkland properties. In 2002, voters supported an amendment to an annual collection rate of $.02 per $100 in equalized valuation. The referendum on the November 2020 General Election Ballot increased the annual collection rate of $.02 to $.03 per $100 in equalized valuation.
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