Middletown Residents Opposed to Claypit Creek Plans in Hartshorne Woods

Middletown, NJ - A group of residents are frustrated with the Monmouth County Park System's big plans for the Claypit Creek section of Hartshorne Woods Park.

The county park system is planning drastic changes for the quiet, wooded area: It wants to add public restrooms; increase parking from the 25 spots there now to 90; build an elevated boardwalk along the water for activities like crabbing and fishing; build a kayak and canoe launch; build a pedestrian trail and build a patio overlooking the creek.

Monmouth County also plans to build a gazebo at the site and rent it out for events, says Middletown resident Christina Summerfield, one of those opposed to the project. However, Karen Livingstone, a spokeswoman for Monmouth County Parks, said the county already occasionally rents out the Claypit Creek area, and puts up a large tent.

Some local residents are very wary of the idea, which they say will destroy one of the last remaining preserved parts of Monmouth County's wilderness.

"Our community group is pretty upset about turning the passive space into an active one," said Summerfield. She said the county's proposed changes will bring, "increased traffic with events, plus noise, garbage and safety issues to adjacent neighborhoods," and lead to overdevelopment of the shoreline.

"Our main concerns are the fact that there was very limited public notice and a lack of transparency in the process," she added. "Most importantly, (the county's) plans are very aggressive, with potential impact to the environment."

Those opposed to the Claypit Creek project will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday night at All Saint's Memorial Church in Navesink to discuss the project and learn more. Some residents spoke at the most recent Monmouth County Park's Board meeting, which resulted in the county asking the DEP for a 30-day extension on the project for public comment.

The following speakers have been confirmed for Thursday night's meeting:

• Middletown town administrator Anthony Mercantante

• Rik Van Hemmen, VP of the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association

• Capt. Alek Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Program Director for the American Littoral Society

• Joe Sardonia, Supervising Landscape Architect for the Monmouth County Park System