Press Release: September 10, 2004

Sheriff's Department Clears Path to Walk the Woodlands of the Lincroft Village Green

This past week, pathways have been cleared through the woodlands of the Lincroft Village Green, in the heart of Lincroft Village. This was accomplished by a cooperative effort between Middletown Township and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

"Now in addition to the open space and attractive stamped concrete walking path of the Green, our residents can explore the beautiful woodlands at the rear of this new park, thanks to the Township and Sheriff Joseph Oxley's Office," Lincroft Village Green (LVGA) Co-President Abe Littenberg," explained.

Working with the LVGA, Middletown's Community Service Council Chairperson, Mitch Gotesky arranged for the County's special community service detail crew to clear the paths and remove debris over the past four days following Labor Day in the wooded area of the six-acre site.

Sheriff Oxley explained, "When I was on the Township Committee I noticed thorough the end of a budget cycle, that often we couldn't get through all the items on our wish list. I created this program, using only non-violent prisoners at the end of their sentence, to perform these jobs under a correction officer's supervision. " The Sheriff emphasized that the work performed does not displace any municipal workers since the townships cannot complete the projects in house. He explained that since its inception, his two details of up to four men per project have performed over 19000 hours of work such as trail clearing, historic cemetery reclamation and the planting of miles of dune grass to protect the Monmouth shoreline. Their projects have been performed in over 43 of the 55 townships in Monmouth County thus far.

The Lincroft Village Green project represents the second successful alliance with the Sheriff's detail program, the township and the LVGA. Previously, the Sheriff's detail cleared and reclaimed two historic cemeteries located on Hurley's Lane in Lincroft. LVGA member, Michael Giordano was instrumental in attracting the township's attention to reclaim, the now very visible and attractive Clayton Thompson cemetery on the corner of Hurley's Lane and Samuel Court. Mr. Giordano has been personally maintaining that cemetery ever since.

In appreciation for their efforts, the LVGA arranged to deliver breakfast and lunch to the workers. Manhattan Bagel in Lincroft donated bagels and coffee; as with the Clayton-Thompson project, the Lincroft Acme made and donated lunches.

Sheriff Oxley commented that his workers only take on projects with a clear beginning middle and end. They derive a satisfaction from completing a project, which will then benefit the local residents. Corrections Department supervisor, Officer Anne Marie Souza added that a break from the prison food is an additional benefit.

Sheriff Oxley concluded, "This is an opportunity to open up walking trails for many to use in a beautiful park in the middle of the community. A win-win for all parties."

The founders of the LVGA saved these six acres in the heart of the Lincroft Village from development five years ago when they encouraged their township and the landowner, Brookdale College, to negotiate an agreement preserving the open space. Now with the Green as part of Middletown's parklands, administered through the Park and Recreation department, the township has just completed the first of two phases for the Green's improvements. Phase I included site work and grading, the creation of a small parking lot, and an attractive stamped concrete walkway. The latter was an upgrade requested by the LVGA, which has agreed to fundraise for this and other improvements including high quality picnic tables and benches.

Phase II, due to begin shortly, will include landscaping, the placement of a flagpole, wall and plaza area by the entrance of the park. Additional amenities depend on the continued success of the LVGA fundraising effort. The township has committed over $400,000 toward the park's improvements including funds procured from a state streetscape grant procured by Senator Joseph Kyrillos.

The LVGA is currently conducting a very active fundraising effort for the park improvements spearheaded by Mr. Littenberg. To date over $50,000 has been raised for this effort. All area businesses and local residents are asked to contribute. For more information on the Friends of the Lincroft Village Green fundraising effort, please refer to our website at website at www.lincroftvillagegreen.org.

The LVGA continues to work toward achieving quality of life improvements in the village of Lincroft including traffic calming, safer vehicular and pedestrian circulation, historic preservation and beautification.