$272K In County Funds Awarded for Holmdel Bayonet Farm Park

HOLMDEL, NJ — The township has been awarded a county open space grant of $272,000 for Bayonet Farm Park improvements, including the Harding House.

The funds are through the Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Grant program, according to a letter from Monmouth County.

"That's a big deal - the township did a good job," said Karen Strickland of the Citizens for Informed Land Use, a Holmdel organization that supports environmental protection and holds Earth Day events at the site.

The Township Committee in July passed a resolution to apply for the Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement grant.

The township had been seeking 50 percent grant funding of $340,000 for improvements to Bayonet Farm Park, including the Harding House and other park facilities, half of a planned $680,000 project.

Township Administrator Jay Delaney said no decision has been made as yet on either scaling the project to reflect the partial grant award and phasing it over one or more years, or committing additional local funds to complete the project as initially planned.

"I expect to be in a better position to recommend a plan going forward after we meet with the County Parks staff and better understand the grant timeline and other specifics," he said Thursday.

The county told the township in a letter it will set up a meeting to review the grant details.

Total park improvements were envisioned at $680,000, the township has said. The park is at 71 Middletown Road and consists of the house, plus two barns. The house was owned by the late heiress Laura Harding.

Strickland has said previously that the township last year repaired flashing around the chimney and replaced the heating system, making the home more comfortable. A new roof will provide even more protection. The grant could also fund other improvements, such as widening a doorway for ADA access, Strickland said.

You can read more about Bayonet Farm and the Harding family and estate here.

The Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Grant program began in 2003. The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners approved an Open Space Trust Fund and established the municipal park program to provide grant funds "in connection with municipal park improvements, development, and redevelopment projects."