Holmdel Adds 13.8 Acres Of Sports Fields In Land Swap With County

HOLMDEL, NJ — Holmdel and Monmouth County just signed off on a unique land swap agreement that gives 14 brand-new acres to Holmdel's rec sports programs.

In exchange for turning over 115 acres at Cross Farms Park to Monmouth County, Holmdel Township will receive approximately 13.8 acres of land, Mayor Tom Critelli announced today. Those land sits adjacent to Holmdel Park and across Crawford's Corner Road from the entrance to Holmdel High School.

Mayor Critelli said those 13. 8 acres will be set aside for public use and rec sports programs, which have long been asking for more playing fields in Holmdel Township.

“This land transfer is especially appealing because of the impact it will have on our recreational sports community,” said Critelli. “The trade speaks to the commitment the Township Committee and I have made to our user groups to improve current sports facilities and expand our roster of recreational grounds.”

But a group called Preserve Holmdel, which last year successfully blocked turf fields from being built at Cross Farms Park, decried the entire deal as being done in secrecy.

"This exchange may be a good thing for Holmdel, but once again we have more questions than answers and a complete lack of transparency," Preserve Holmdel said in an email sent out today, after the agreement was unveiled. "Where exactly is this land at Cross Farms? Is it the sod farm? What could Monmouth County do with it? A turf field? Walking trails? Other development? And does (the 13.8 acres) include turf fields, lights, and at what cost to the taxpayer?"

In exchange, Monmouth County will receive approximately 115 acres of Cross Farm Park land located to the southwest of Willowbrook Road, abutting Colts Neck Township. Monmouth County wants that land at Cross Farms for its various historical structures on site; the additional acreage and facilities will bolster the County’s parks and open space program, Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian Burry said.

“The county’s inventory of preserved land and living history is our greatest legacy,” said Burry. "This land exchange only brightens the future of Monmouth County and the Township of Holmdel, and we’re thrilled to have conducted it.”

According to Critelli, the acquisition will also enable Holmdel to explore traffic improvements in the area of the intersection of Longstreet Road and Crawfords Corner Road.

The exchange is an administrative transfer, meaning no payment of monies or cash considerations are necessary.