Wesley Lake, Ocean Grove side. Paul Goldfinger photograph © 2015
By Paul Goldfinger, editor and Jack Bredin. researcher
Many years ago, Wesley Lake was an estuary, flowing directly into the ocean. When the Founders of Ocean Grove arrived, it was a fairly small body of water, but it was influenced by tidal flows.
Once development of our town began, the Founders, who were interested in summer water activities (“Holy Leisure,”) built a dam at the east end to enlarge the Lake, and as many as 300 boats could be seen cruising those waters in the summer. They had fabulous festivals on the water such as Illumination Night which attracted thousands. There was a ferry.
Surface water from Asbury Park and Ocean Grove flowed into the Lake. Water flowing over the dam would fill a retention basin which would collect the Lake spillover as well as sewage from the two towns, and that dirty water would wash out with the tides.
Once a sewage system was developed, the Lake was viewed as a place of recreation for the people and a collection basin for the streets. The dam was retained, so water would tend to stagnate, resulting in a slow buildup of silt and mud at the bottom.
Over the years, as more development occurred, increased run-off from the streets containing pollutants, microorganisms, dirt and trash fouled the waters of the Lake, and in recent years there has been intermittent talk of solving these problems, but the situation has worsened. Underground gas tanks in Asbury were recognized as posing an unresolved challenge. No effort was ever made to add some sort of water filtration system to the Lake.
A “Recreation and Open Space Inventory” (ROSI List) was prepared by Neptune Township in 2007. It is required along with every application by the Township for “Green Acre funding.” Wesley Lake is on the ROSI list as property owned by Neptune Township and reserved for “recreation and conservation,” and not as a storm water detention/retention basin (see below.)
Page 4 of the official Neptune ROSI list.
In 2008, when the Camp Meeting Association and WAVE were designated co-redevelopers of the Ocean Grove North End Redevelopment Zone, the resolution* offered by Michael Brantley and approved by the Township Committee said that Wesley Lake is part of the North End Plan and that the Lake is owned by the OG Camp Meeting Association.
In 2012, a $12 million dollar plan to restore the Lake to health was presented at a highly publicized public meeting, but the ambitious plan was never realized. Below is a Blogfinger link about those empty promises. Makes sure you read the comments then by Grovers. And take a look at what they want to spend money on. Do you see any talk of cleaning the water?
After that, every once in a while, the Friends of Wesley Lake would go out and collect trash, and periodically some weed killers would be used, and even some dredging would occur, but nothing would happen that would have any meaningful environmental impact.
In 2014, the latest tax map was published. It is the official map of Neptune Township. In it, the body of water between OG and AP is no longer called Wesley Lake. It is now called “Wesley Detention/Retention Basin” (see map below)
Neptune Township tax map, 2014. The official map of Neptune Twp. Click to see the labeling of Wesley Lake.
Such basins are supposed to detain and treat storm water runoff and help prevent flooding. Commonly a structure is built to do that as part of an environmentally engineered plan to help deal with storm water runoff in conjunction with land development as is occurring or planned to occur around Wesley Lake. It is not a good method to clean water or improve the environment. But, despite the name change, nothing has been done or announced to improve any of the evil variables at play in the Lake.
So the name change seems to be cosmetic and seems to mean that somebody has their eyes on the Lake for more reasons than merely recreation and conservation. It means that the Lake is now earmarked to be a storage facility to deal with large amounts of water flowing from the streets of both cities as development continues.
The DEP ought to insist on Wesley Lake conservation if the North End Redevelopment site plan is ever finalized; but how did AP build all those condos without such a project? Who knows? The added condo runoff from AP is probably going into the Lake, although we have no information regarding how those developers have dealt with the situation. We do know that AP did a fine job in reconstructing the retaining wall along their side of the Lake. Neptune is still waiting for someone else to fix the wall at the east end of their side. That wall is expected to be redone by the North End redevelopers. Those walls help restrict runoff into the Lake.
This new map designation implies that the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be involved. After all, the Lake is actually owned by the State of New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Public Trust Doctrine which pertains to all tidelands, and that includes Wesley Lake. **
The Doctrine says, “The state holds tidal waterways in trust for the public. The rights of the public are vested in the state as owner and trustee.”
It also says, “Tidelands, also known at Riparian Lands are lands now or formerly flowed by the tides but have been filled in and are no longer flowed by the tides. These lands are owned by the State of New Jersey and held in trust for the public.” This also pertains to Wesley Lake.
The document also insists that local municipalities must insure adherence to these principles.
So it seems that Wesley Lake has 3 owners. Will the real legal owner step forward and take responsibility? It sounds to us that the State of New Jersey owns Wesley Lake on behalf of the public. Will the State of NJ step in and do something about this situation?
Will the elected officials on the Township Committee whom we placed in office to represent us, finally force the truth into the open? And will they promise to stifle any efforts by public officials and private citizens who want to exploit those public lands for their own purposes instead of the public’s best interest?
In particular, the public also needs to hear honest appraisals from the Wesley Lake Commission and the Neptune Planning Board regarding the future of Wesley Lake. And especially, we need to hear from Michael Brantley who wears the following hats: Wesley Lake Commissioner, Planning Board member, Township Committeeman, and former Mayor. He is considered to be the foremost Neptune expert regarding Wesley Lake.
And if the CMA owns the Lake, as stated by Michael Brantley , then where has the CMA been regarding the Lake’s issues?
Finally, where are the details from WAVE as to what they have planned for Wesley Lake once the site details for that huge project are revealed? Where will their surface water go? Is it legal for them to sign a re-developers agreement without those environmental details? What will the DEP say about that?
Who will step up for the citizens of Ocean Grove?
APPENDIX:
*Minutes of the Township Committee, June 9, 2008. Dr Brantley offered the resolution which was passed. It said, “Whereas, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is the owner of the property commonly referred to as the Ocean Grove North End site (Block 1, lots 1&2; Block 101, Lot 3 and part of Lot 1 and Block 146.03, parts of Lots 1 &2…… Block 146.03, Lot 1 is Wesley Lake)…….”
The resolution goes on to declare that WAVE and CMA will be the Co-Redevelopers of the North End property.
** Quote from the State of New Jersey (DEP) Department of Land Use Regulations 9:7-9.48 Lands and Waters subject to public trust rights:
“Lands and Waters subject to public trust rights are tidal waterways and their shores, including lands now or formerly below the mean high water line and shores above the mean high water line.”
THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “Enigma Variations” from the movie Elizabeth:
Reblogged this on Blogfinger and commented:
In 2016 we posted a comprehensive article about the future of Wesley Lake including discussion with 24 commentw as to how the North End Plan might influence it. Now that the NERP seems to be lumbering to actual implementation, it seems like a good time to bring this post to the surface once again. —Paul @Blogfinger
Philip Orton, you have a good plan but everyone having an interest in the Lake and development must consider the value of the North End property, and that most water runoff into the Lake now comes from AP. That will change if the North End is developed as planned.
I have suggested the following:
– Water from the streets should not flow into the Lake because it’s convenient for developers.
– In OG, developing the former Hotel complex property with 26 single family houses as planned by Dr. Elwood Stokes in 1879 would create no water runoff from OG and no need for a water retention basin.
– Replace the ‘ White Whale’ with a ‘ Beach Pavilion’ as it was in 1910.
-the Lake and the Ocean were on the same elevation before the Lake was cut off by the small Dam what was installed for reasons that no longer exist.
-And so as you have also suggested, reopen the inlet to the Ocean and Mother
Nature will restore the Lake when salt water from the Ocean mixes with fresh water from the Lake.
On the opposite end of the list of “unrealistic extreme ideas” as creating a huge asphalt space where there was once a historic hotel, bathhouse and restaurants, I propose this one:
Dig it all up, tear down the white whale, dig open a pathway to the ocean and all the sandy sediment to shallow the lake and make it a natural lagoonal marsh system that resembles what was likely there before Ocean Grove was settled.
The North End could be left at an intermediate elevation — the whole system could be a “nature park” that flushes naturally with spring tides, and a true “retention basin” of the sort that green engineering buffs would be proud of. It would be a form of restoration but the more watery areas could provide slow treatment and processing of all our urban street runoff.
I think its “out there”, but worth throwing into the mix of ideas.
Oh my:: Everything governed by the NERP has been conditionally approved by the Township.
After a developer’s agreement (contract) is signed, it must be formally approved by the Township and the DEP.
Kiki W, on the tax map prior to 2014 it was Block 1.01, Lot 3.
Philip Orton, welcome aboard.
Great topic, and I agree we need to seek to improve the lake. It will definitely require cooperation between multiple municipalities, as I’ll explain below.
My research deals with water quality and pollution. There are three primary types of waterbody pollution — toxics, garbage, and biological issues. There isn’t a large supply of toxics here, so I don’t see that as the *primary* issue. It is obvious that the lake collects garbage, and hats off to the people who do their best to keep it clean.
Biological issues are often caused by poor flushing / circulation, and that is what I see as the biggest problem for the lake. Poor flushing leads to long residence times for water and anything that comes in with it. Someone above mentioned that the outflow is restricted by broken hardware. Strike one against Wesley Lake! Someone else mentioned that the inflow from whatever watershed remains was intercepted by another municipality. Strike 2!
What is needed is to improve both the supply and the outflow of water, so that water moves through the system more rapidly. A healthy circulation will also move garbage to vents, etc, where it can more easily be collected. It prevents algae blooms and low oxygen that can lead to brown water and bad smells.
I’d be happy to help play a role in guiding any effort to improve the water quality of the lake, but already tend to work 12 hour days as a soft-money funded scientist. So I would need to rely on others that can step forward to take the lead.
Jack: What block of beach property did they confiscate and from whom? That tax map shows the beach down to the water as being Block 101 Lot 5 and what I assume the 1 Boardwalk building being Block 101 Lot 6. The both appear to be inside the boundary of the town which is that thick black hashed line to the east of Lot 6.
Perhaps the township has a grant or whatever that is in that link Steve posted.
Maybe you can shed some light on this tidelands thing, it seems the state has a system by which people can take ownership of tidal lands.
Re: Mr. Bredin Are we to believe the state has sanctioned this land grab of State Public Open Space? The Pavilion sits on the beach proper which I believe is within the newly designated flood zone. The cost of the recently repaired section of retaining wall was offset by state and federal monies so a new road could be added? Is it the same with the new, wider section of the boardwalk, so another yet another street can be added for a privately funded development? Something seems really off here.
To clarify my comment above:
Over the years, the Township has been taking our Public Open Space under the false pretense that it is necessary to develop the North End, and Blogfinger is the only one reporting on this depressing misuse of the ‘Local Housing and Redevelopment Law.’
Some retention basin. I have been at the Wesley Lake Commission meetings where the discussion has revealed that since Sandy the control box that controls the Lake level has been broken and this has been the main reason for the numerous flash floods that have occurred since.
I think the unbridled development of Asbury Park might also be a factor.
The Township, Asbury Park and the CMA have dropped the ball in accessing the funds for complete restoration of the Lake. Since Deal Lake and Fletcher Lake seem to have faired better is this an accident?
Neptune Township, by way of an illegal subdivision, has already confiscated a block of beach property (State Public Open Space) and zoned this beach property for commercial and residential development, with a portion to be used as a municipal street. They then included the land into an “Area In Need of Development.” The street is necessary to the redevelopment.
Now they have taken Wesley Lake (State Public Open Space) by mislabeling the Tax Map.
This public open space is now reserved as a “municipal facility” with the bank of the lake to be used as a municipal street. The street is necessary to the redevelopment.
Part of the OG Beach and all of WEsley Lake are now reserved for developers.
Tom: Go to Deal Lake Commission website, and check out all the great funding and progress, including a huge Chris Christie grant. Bridge rebuilding! Dredging! Grass planting projects! We need them to run our lake.
Then go to the Wesley Lake Commission page for Neptune Township. Particularly, look at the minutes for the April 19 “meeting,” where zero,and I mean zero, recorded facts of what transpired are recorded.
Wesley is a watershed and should get watershed funding. Today it is worse as a watershed than before Sandy! The dam has not been improved since it was constructed over 100 years ago!
Do we have to wait for the next disaster for funding?
It seems to me after reading your Wesley Lake article and all the comments that the Abbott and Costello “Who’s on First” routine springs to mind. This whole thing is a shame. I wish you all great luck in solving this thorny issue, along with the rest of Ocean Grove’s unresolved issues.
They would invite some people from Deal to the next meeting and find out how they got the 44 million dollars being spent on their Poplar Brook project while the Friends of Wesley Lake have to sell t-shirts to pay for an aerator. If you drive past there it looks like they are building a city. This is for a brook that is 3 feet wide in spots.
Toxic contaminants like lead, mercury and benzene have to be removed to a landfill designed to safely store them. There was an EPA superfund site not far from where I grew up. They are very strict about clean-up.
I guess if it is a retention basin, you could dredge it a bit, use the fill to encroach on the lake, widen Lake Ave. and be good to go! Right? No one will notice…right?
I heard that years ago a natural stream that fed Wesley Lake (“chocolate lake” to locals), was cut off to create Deal Lake, which still gets the fresh, natural water.
I regularly smell gasoline on the Lake and see slicks of goo, and yards and yards of plastic cups and wrappers. It’s only around 1 to two feet at the West End, and when that area’s bottom is exposed due to storm drainage, it has a very pungent petroleum smell.
The quality of this polluted waterway is also governed by requirements of the EPA and DEP. Everyone who reads this should call in pollution complaints, so we can start serious investigations, and get Neptune and Asbury FINED.
When tested, it may be governed by severe gas and oil dumping regulations.
One possible huge scandal is why Wesley Lake did not get Hurricane Sandy watershed improvement funding. We lost millions that would have resulted in dredging and dam improvements. Money was earmarked for watershed upgrades, and it was a terrible blunder of whoever was responsible for missing that crucial opportunity.
Maybe when the Biergarten’s new million-dollar distillery is destroyed in the next storm, we will see some storm money for the Lake.
Great blog on Wesley Lake. The Commission when headed by Dr. Brantley actually spent what little money they raised on stocking the Lake with fish, without assessing the condition of the water. What’s the expression, While Rome burns?
Wesley Lake’s water body is the joint responsibility of the City of Asbury Park and Neptune Township. Green acres areas were granted to the Camp Meeting years ago.
Thank you bringing up the Detention Basin title on the map. The Lake certainly is not a detention basin. I will be addressing that.
Those concerned about the Lake have to make their voices heard.
The Friends/Citizens for Wesley Lake are planning a clean-up event on Sunday, May 15. See details on our Facebook page.
The land that was filled in may actually have been sold by the State to whatever party currently occupies it through a riparian grant. It is explained here under the “Grants” tab
http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/tl_main.html
I agree Blogfinger, it’s a disgrace what has happened.
No one with the authority to make it right seems to care anymore.
Editor’s note: In the Oct 3, 2012 issue of the Coaster, reporting on the $12 million plan to “restore” Wesley Lake, a number of public officials said that they cared and would try to do something about the problem. Those who were quoted as caring included Mayor Michael Brantley, Committeeman Randy Bishop, engineer Peter Avakian, Rep Frank Pallone,Jr. (D), and Asbury Park councilwoman Sue Henderson. What have any of those caring officials actually done to “restore” the lake?
Bishop said, “The Lake needs to be saved for both its beauty and its importance. Revitalizing the Lake is not only what we have to do, but what we must do.”
Now, four years later, someone should ask Bishop what he has done to live up to those promises. —-PG
I think there’s more than just run-off filling the lake/basin/whatever. The really old maps showed a feeder stream to the west that was cut off at some point. I believe it still has some underground water source filling it.
The few times I’ve seen the Lake drained to low levels, it has refilled with no rain or runoff. According to the Neptune Township tax map shown on BF, the AP/OG border splits the basin so, co-ownership?
In the early development days of the Grove we filled in the latter part of Fletcher Lake that once flowed past Rt. 71. You would never know it today.
Editor’s note: The important point is that riparian waterways such as Fletcher and Wesley Lakes are still considered to be riparian waterways even if they were filled in, according to the DEP. Thus they remain under the ownership and jurisdiction of New Jersey DEP. —-PG
It is conceivable that there are those who would set up a drainage system for street run-off and then fill in Wesley Lake to make room for even more condos. It is awful the way Wesley Lake has been allowed to deteriorate. As a living, breathing body of water, it is near-dead. Who is to blame for such neglect? Where is the DEP? Where are the environmentalists? Are other lakes around here dying?
The swans, geese, carp & turtles don’t mind the condition of the Wesley Detention/Retention Basin.
When the day comes that they’re as dead as the NERP, we can fill it all in and finally build that parking lot.