Green Acres Buys Cohanzick CC Land

The state’s open space development program bought 150 acres of the Fairton, N.J. club’s land last month for $947,500. New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will now plan to incorporate habitat improvements and public access to the property.

The Green Acres Program, an open-space development effort through the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that preserves and enhances New Jersey’s outdoor environments, purchased the Cohanzick Country Club last month, The News of Cumberland County reported.

One hundred fifty acres of the Fairton, N.J. club’s land was sold for $947,500, with the remaining acres kept as a compromise with concerned taxpayers who worried about losing business. Mayor Michael Sharp said losing business is an “epidemic” in the township, and he is concerned about the area becoming an illegal dumping ground for residents, The News of Cumberland County reported.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife will now develop a management plan to incorporate habitat improvements and public access to the property.
“It’s a very picturesque sight on a bluff that hugs the Cohansey River and is used by a wide variety of wildlife,” said Larry Hanja, a spokesman for the DEP. “It’s ideal for a wildlife management area.”

Conversations about the sale of the land go back to 2009, when local land conservation was first discussed, The News of Cumberland County reported.

According to its website, Green Acres protects almost 640,000 acres of open space and provides recreational opportunities throughout the state.

Tags: Cohansey River Cohanzick Country Club Cumberland County Fairton N.J. Green Acres program larry hanja Michael sharp New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildife