OC Freeholders to Consider Open Space Land Purchase Near O-C-C

Ocean County Freeholders are considering purchasing over fifty acres of land bordering Ocean County College on Hooper Avenue in Toms River.

Showing the media a large-scale map of the proposed tract, Freeholder John Bartlett said block 394, lot 59 represents the final parcel left in completing a green barrier around the entire perimeter of the campus.

"What we wanted to do in these purchases was protect the college from encroachment because as you can see, all around here is housing."

Freeholder Director Joe Vicari said they received word that they can no longer wait to purchase the parcel, as plans are in the works to construct several hundred housing units in the area.

A public hearing takes place this evening, August 6th at 4 p.m. at the County Administration Building on the proposed purchase through the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Program for $250,000.