Partnership will preserve long, proud history of Fort Hancock

As your readers know, I fully support the public-private partnership between the National Park Service and Sandy Hook Partners to rehabilitate 36 National History Landmark buildings at Fort Hancock.

As mayor of Red Bank, I am keenly aware of the efforts it takes to rehabilitate and revitalize a community. And, that is the goal of Sandy Hook Partners — to create a community of marine/environmental research, education, cultural arts and heritage, hospitality, recreation and wellness programs, while at the same time preserving the proud history at Fort Hancock.

This program exemplifies the mission of the National Park Service, which states "... to preserve unimpaired, the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations."

New Jersey is a great state with a proud history of innovation. And in fact, Thomas Edison was not only a part of our state’s history, but of the history of Fort Hancock. I believe bringing our universities, our citizenry and our corporations together to both learn from and collaborate that marine/environmental science and research is a celebration of our history and of our bright future.

Many of our universities are nationally renown for their sophisticated ocean observing systems — a service essential to ocean commerce, naval operations, safe boating, commercial and recreational fishing.

Working together with our business community, they are developing aquaculture programs that have the capacity to feed millions, and exploring the rich biodiversity of how our future is inextricably linked to the ocean and how New Jersey is at the forefront of this research and technology.

The cultural arts program that is being developed is also a celebration of our creativity, our tradition and our spirit and will be comprised of public programs, lectures series, performances and concerts for the enjoyment of our children, our neighbors and our friends.

Ninety percent of Sandy Hook’s lands and waters are managed as natural areas.

A significant stop on the Atlantic flyway, Sandy Hook beaches provide nesting habitat for one-third of New Jersey’s endangered piping plovers. Dunes, grasslands, a maritime holly forest and salt marshes support a wide variety of flora and fauna.

I am pleased the National Park Service will be able to increase its educational efforts in natural resources, restore and improve habitats and replace native vegetation due to the revenues it receives through its partnership with Sandy Hook Partners.

This is just some of the correct information about the public-private partnership between the National Park Service and Sandy Hook Partners.

The word partnership means to be united in a relationship with shared interests. I am excited about this partnership and the benefits it will bestow on our community and our states, while preserving the long and proud history of Fort Hancock.

Edward J. McKenna Jr.

Mayor

Red Bank