Former Jersey Shore Amusement Park Will Be Preserved As Open Space, Officials Say

The 27 acres off Route 9 in Berkeley Township was formerly the site of Blackbeard's Cave. Ocean County recently approved the $5.9 million purchase of the land.

Demolition of existing structures is underway and will be paid for by the current property owner, according to a news release.

“This property, along with an anticipated donation of 50 acres from the township, expands our preserved open space in Berkeley Township substantially,” Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, liaison to the county’s open space program, said in the news release. “I am pleased we could work with the township in preserving this land for future generations.”

Berkeley Township officials praised the county for buying and protecting the property from future development.

“The township would not be able to handle the traffic flow if this property was to be developed,” Berkley Township Mayor Carmen Amato told the commissioners during a recent meeting. “This acquisition buffers the area while expanding on an existing preserve.”

The purchase will extend the county's open space leading to the "Northeast Mall Donation" property and onto the Barnegat Branch Trail and the more than 800 acres of open space known as the New Jersey Pulverizing property.

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