Burlington County officials have authorized the purchase of a 100-acre property in Springfield that will enhance the county’s farmland conservation efforts.
The project includes creating a new trail connection between Mount Arney Park and the Burlington County Fairgrounds.
The county commission recently voted to allow the Department of Conservation to finalize a contract for the Choi family property off Juliustown Road.
The land borders Mount Arney, the county’s highest point, and adjacent county parks.
Part of the land acquired will be used to extend Arney’s Mount Trail north through Springfield to the fairgrounds on Route 206.
Burlington County has received a $3.2 million grant for the design and construction of the Arney’s Mount Fairgrounds Connector Trail.
The remaining land will be subject to deed restrictions to ensure it remains used for agricultural purposes before being auctioned to agricultural buyers.
“Burlington County has saved more than 67,000 acres of farmland, the most of any county in New Jersey, so we are excited about the opportunity to protect another important agricultural property and enhance our regional trail system,” Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Allison Eckel said in a statement.
The Choi property has grown cereals and row crops in recent years and previously operated vegetable and greenhouse operations.
Last fall, officials announced plans to protect the nearly 270 acres of Van Wagner Farms located east of Arnie Hill Park.
The agreement calls for 239 acres to be protected through the county’s Farmland Preservation Program, with an additional 30 acres to be purchased for open space and incorporated into Mount Arney Park.
The state also ended protections for the 70-acre Three Willow Farm in Springfield last summer.
Once the Van Wagner and Choi properties are finalized, Springfield will have more than 6,200 acres of preserved farmland through New Jersey and Burlington County programs — the largest total among Burlington County cities.
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