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Tinton Falls council authorizes purchase of 1900 Wayside Road to preserve Kearney Farm; county to cover 75%
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Summary
The Tinton Falls Borough Council adopted an ordinance authorizing purchase of Block 91, Lot 1 (1900 Wayside Road) to preserve Kearney Farm as recreation and open space; a cooperative agreement commits the county to pay 75% of the purchase price, and council members said community input will determine future uses.
The Tinton Falls Borough Council voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing the borough to buy Block 91, Lot 1 (1900 Wayside Road) to preserve it as recreation and open space.
Director of law Starkey told the council the purchase is tied to a cooperative project agreement under which Monmouth County will cover 75% of the purchase price. Mayor Clay and council members repeatedly thanked the Kearney family for their stewardship and said the preserved parcel will remain open to the public. “What we preserve today becomes the inheritance of tomorrow,” the mayor said.
The ordinance (2026-15-42) was read for public hearing; residents asked questions about future uses. Ellen Goldberg asked whether the site would be used for passive recreation such as walking paths rather than active uses like pickleball courts. Mary Elizabeth Carney Quinn said she opposed a soccer field and urged a playground and a prominent flagpole. Borough officials told residents that specific uses have not been decided and that the town will plan the property with community input.
Council members noted the county’s funding contribution and praised the combined local effort. The council then moved to adopt the ordinance and recorded affirmative roll-call votes. The adoption follows the county’s earlier commendation of the Kearney family for partnering on open-space preservation.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2026-15-42 (purchase of 1900 Wayside Road for recreation and open space): adopted (roll call; affirmative votes recorded). County to cover 75% via cooperative project agreement (resolution 26-059). - Ordinance 2026-15-40 (traffic: left-turn prohibitions): adopted (roll call). - Ordinance 2026-15-41 (parks: times of operation for parks/playgrounds): adopted (roll call). - Ordinance 2026-15-43 (affordable-housing ordinance implementing the fourth-round housing plan element): introduced; public hearing set for March 17, 2026.
The council’s adoption of the open-space ordinance completes the local step required to acquire the parcel; officials said final design and permitted uses will be determined in subsequent community meetings and planning steps.
