From Today's Sunbeam

Oct. 23 , 2007

Open space proponents push for funds

By Pete McCarthy
pmccarthy@sjnewsco.com

WOOLWICH TWP. - Will Eastlack and his wife Patricia have 50 acres of farmland they want to permanently preserve, but cannot because there is no money in the state's account to get it done.

They were joined Monday by several politicians and activists in an effort to support voting in favor of Public Question No. 3 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

"Morally, to see the open space disappear just sticks in my craw," said Eastlack, 60.

The Woolwich farm has been in Patricia Eastlack's family since 1928, and Will has farmed it for the past 15 years. There is nobody in the family to continue the tradition.

The couple wants to someday retire, but Will Eastlack said they are afraid the property will end up in the hands of a developer looking to put multiple homes on the property.

Eastlack said he tried to get the land permanently preserved by applying for funding through the Garden State Preservation Trust. He's one of the next to be approved, but the money has run out, officials said.

New Jersey voters will be asked next month whether they want to borrow $200 million for open space preservation.

"Because of the lack of funding today, there may not be a tomorrow for land preservation," said Christopher Jage, assistant director for the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

Land like the 50 acres owned by the Eastlack will "very easily be swallowed up" by a developer if it is not preserved, said Gloucester County Deputy Freeholder Director Robert Damminger.

On the farm, the Eatlacks grow potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams and grain.
In his time, Eastlack said the growth has led to increased traffic on what once was a quiet country road.

"I've seen it get so bad, one summer afternoon you couldn't cross this road," he said, pointing to land he has on the other side of Route 538.

Less than a quarter mile down the road from the Eastlack farm are two new residential developments still being built on what used to be farmland. Not too far away is where Kings Highway and U.S. Route 322 intersect another residential hot spot.

Eastlack said on Monday that no developer has approached him about his land, but he figures it's only a matter of time. But he won't even consider an offer.

"I am so not interested," Eastlack said.

The open space funding question will be one of four ballot questions being considered by New Jersey voters next month

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