Milford okays joint park

Milford — The Bridge Preserve park deal with Dingman is on. On Monday, the Milford Township Supervisors put aside earlier concerns about control of future costs and unanimously agreed to a joint resolution to create a master plan with neighboring Dingman to manage the preserve. While the bulk (249 acres) of the 316-acre property is in Milford Township, donor Charles Bridge is a Dingman resident and decided to cede the property to his hometown. He donated the property to be forever wild, in memory of his wife and mother. The resolution delegates the cost of preparing the master plan to Dingman. “Future recreational development shall be mutually agreed upon,” the resolution reads. The resolution also authorizes the Pike County Planning Office to assist in seeking grant funding for the project. Dingman Supervisors Chair Tom Mincer brought the news of Bridge’s “gift to both” townships before the Milford Superivsors in September, asking them to join in the planning and management of the land. Following Mincer’s remarks, Milford Supervisor Don Quick then remarked that since “the deed is done” and the property is already off the tax rolls, it’s only in Milford’s best interests to cooperate. However, earlier this month, Quick had hesitated when first considering the move, in part because of the 3-2 weighted makeup of a park advisory board, authorized by the resolution. The weighted side favors Dingman. On Monday, following Solicitor Doug Jacobs’ assurance that the resolution contained no financial obligations, Quick joined in the approval. “We can opt out in future. For now it behooves us to cooperate in what could potentially have a favorable impact on the residents of Milford Township,” he said. The southerly section has frontage on Sawkill Pond and Sawkill Creek, while the larger forested northerly section adjoins Hickory Hills Estates, has a small, cold-water pond, views extending into New Jersey and extends close to Savantine Creek.