The City of Ventnor is proud to announce a significant milestone in the development of its ecological tourism park, the “Ventnor Eco Park.” This visionary project represents the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability, education, and community engagement.
As part of the ongoing planning and design process, Ventnor has partnered with the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) for a design charrette, which will be showcased at the NJ Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (NJASLA) conference on Monday, January 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Harrah’s Conference Center in Atlantic City.
The presentation will feature the creative work of ACIT students, guided by their professor Drew Holmes, Yazmin Gould, and Robert Preston, L.L.A., a retired landscape architect from the City of Atlantic City. The students’ designs emphasize diversity, inclusion, education, and community engagement while integrating natural habitats, native plantings, social spaces, and an interconnected circulation system.
The proposed Ventnor Eco Park will serve as a sanctuary for wildlife and a space for visitors to connect with nature through immersive, low-impact activities. Programming at the park will include walking, birdwatching, photography, reading, meditation, and educational events. By offering a variety of experiences, the park is poised to become a cornerstone of ecological tourism and community enrichment in the region.
“This project is an inspiring collaboration that not only advances the Eco Park but also provides invaluable hands-on experience for the students,” said Ventnor Mayor Tim Kriebel. “Their designs reflect the values of sustainability and inclusivity that are central to our vision for the park.”
The students’ work will later be presented to Ventnor’s governing body that includes Commissioner Lance Landgraf of Code Enforcement and Public Works and Commissioner Maria Mento of Finance and Special Events as part of the project’s development. Simultaneously, Ventnor is partnering with Colliers Engineering to complete a professional design process for the park. This includes public engagement, technical documentation, and preparing grant applications to secure funding for the project.
Members of the press are invited to attend the NJASLA presentation to learn how these talented students are collaborating with professional landscape architects to refine their concepts while addressing real-world design constraints.
For more information about the Ventnor Eco Park and updates on the project, please visit the Ventnor City website:
https://www.ventnorcity.org/news/post/18449/
https://www.ventnorcity.org/news/post/20508/
Photo credit: Ventnor City, New Jersey Facebook
