Preserving, conserving open space a major goal for Evesham Township, according to draft plan.

A list of 221 properties totaling 20% of the acreage of Evesham Township potentially could be used for recreation or preserved for open space, according to the Township's draft open-space plan.

That draft plan — the Open Space & Recreation Plan of April 6 — will be considered on Thursday evening at a Planning Board public hearing. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

"The Township has identified approximately 2,753 acres of land for potential open space and parks acquisition that focuses on critical areas in need of preservation and conservation," notes the 140-page plan, which updates one from 2012.

Of the 19,000 acres in Evesham, about 3,877 acres, or 20% of the total, are owned by public entities. Most of it is owned by the Township, although Burlington County, the state and other entities own some, according to the report.

Evesham also has 1,820 acres of farmland and 42 acres of preserved farmland.

The Township's plan describes an aggressive approach to preserving open land and also working to grant residents' recreational wishes, which include space for pickleball, a disc golf course and volleyball courts. 

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Last April, the Township spent about $5.25 million to buy the 176-acre Beagle Club property that faces North Elmwood Road. The deal was for the largest remaining open tract of developable land, the report states.

But the Township also makes it clear it has a shopping list for other potential open space, including 326 acres at 275 Kettle Run Road owned by a private party, 249 acres on Kettle Run Road owned by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and 232 acres at 601 Tomlinson Mill Road owned by a private party. The list, ranked by size of property, is in the table below.

Most of the land the Township would like to acquire is in the southern half of the town.

"Most parks are concentrated to the north," the report notes. "As the southern end of town becomes more developed, consideration should be given to adding parks in this area."

The draft report discusses the explosive growth in pickleball playing and a desire for courts. It mentions a potential pickleball court at the Gibson House, the town-owned recreational space next to the driving range at the municipal Indian Spring Golf Course.

Other recreational demands, according to the report:

• Disc golf and street hockey. Evesboro Downs, between Evesboro-Medford Road and North Maple Avenue have been identified as a potential site.
• Lacrosse and field hockey fields. Consider offering space at Evesboro Downs Sports Complex, Ravenscliff Park, Savich Field Sports Complex and Park and Willow Ridge Park and Ballfield.
• Volleyball. Consider retrofitting some basketball courts at Brush Hollow Park, Cambridge Park, County Farms Park, Green Lane Farms Park, Heathrow Park, London Square Park, Memorial Sports Complex and Westerly Drive Park.
• Indoor fieldhouse. This has been requested by some residents for indoor track and other sports.

The draft plan also discusses the preservation of the Township's 182 structures or sites that have been identified as historical. Ten are on the national and state registers of historic places. Eight more have an opinion issued by the state Historic Preservation Office.

"The Township should continue to pursue the identification and listing of local historic sites on the state and federal registers," the report advises.

CHECK OUT MAPS: See where open space is located