PALERMO — What improvements would you like to see at the Richard M. Cameron Wildlife Sanctuary? Township Committee would like to know.
Engineer Paul Dietrich reported Jan. 23 that he has had initial discussions with the county planning office, which he said is working on upgrades to the park system.
Cape May County Commissioner Andrew Bulakowski confirmed work on a new master plan for the parks and zoo is under way.
Planner Leslie Gimeno said the Cape May County Planning Department was asked to provide “steering currents” to the project as it’s related to land use planning. She said a request for proposals was advertised last fall and the department is coordinating the efforts of the project team, which consists of consultants and county stakeholders.
“Collectively, our team is looking at each of the county park properties to get an understanding of current amenities and usership to identify future potential recreation developments or redevelopments,” Gimeno stated in an email.
She said the department has engaged the municipalities where the properties are located “so that we know how our park properties complement municipal facilities.”
“As we mold future plans, we want to ensure that any recommendations that we include in the Park System Master Plan are coordinated with other recreation opportunities in their respective proximities,” Gimeno stated.
She said the department is still in the preliminary phases of the study and collecting information. Additional county-wide public outreach efforts will be held in the late spring or early summer “to get broad-based input on all of our park properties.”
“We anticipate the outcome of those discussions will result in site-specific recommendations for amenities that can be pursued both short- and long-term,” Gimeno stated.
Known as Cape May County Park North, the 25-acre Cameron Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses a variety of habitats including deciduous woodlands, lakes and wetlands, crossed by easily walkable dirt and paved trails, according to information on the county website.
“Wildlife wanders throughout the park. You can have close encounters with a variety of critters. Egrets roost over the lakes, and warblers and kinglets flit through the pine trees at the water’s edge. The ease of nature viewing makes any time spent at Cameron Wildlife Sanctuary time well spent.
“By following the main path straight to the end, you will reach the original Cameron House, circa 1930, now used as the park office and for small displays.”
The website lists activities to enjoy there year-round.
In the winter, it states, the lakes are home to wintering waterfowl and ducks are plentiful. Come spring, the park provides a resting spot for migratory songbirds.
“Trees are blooming and leaves are forming, providing food for the animals and scenic beauty for us. Canada geese and their fuzzy babies are all around. Be sure to look for turtles basking along the lake edge and fish nesting,” it states.
In the summer, visitors are encouraged to look for water lilies on the lake as herons, osprey, egrets and eagles soar overhead.
Autumn is perhaps the nicest time of year at the park, where visitors can see the return of migrating birds.
“Showy wood ducks on the lake are favorites with their bright colors. The trees turn into colors of orange and gold, displaying their beautiful fall foliage, as well,” the website states.
The park, located at 1099 South Shore Road in Palermo, is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk. Parking and admission are free.
“It is a great thing for us to have that extension in Upper Township for open space,” Committeewoman Kim Hayes said. “Another beautiful reason to visit Upper Township.”
Dietrich said since the township hosts the park, public input would be solicited through the township website and Facebook page. He said Township Committee wants to know what amenities the public would like to see at the park.
“Out of the three locations, it is the lowest-intensity county park they have operating,” Dietrich said. “It’s a beautiful park, a great asset for the township to have.”
He suggested turning the railroad tracks into a trail and improving restrooms.
Committeeman Curtis Corson said there is a lot of vehicle traffic on the railroad track and that the county would need to “seriously think about how they are going to block that off.” He called it “quite the party spot.”
County Commissioner Will Morey, who oversees the Planning Department, said he is hoping for meaningful improvements that will add value to the communities.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff