MANCHESTER – Volunteers are being sought for a cleanup in the township this month.
Township Environmental Commission member Gabrielle Fox is leading the clean-up effort which is scheduled for June 18 from 3-7 p.m. at the site of the old Brooksbrae brick factory. The clean-up’s rain date is Jun 19.
The site has been described as a hidden graffiti wonderland deep within the Pine Barrens which in its heyday produced thousands of bricks a day but it is unclear if the factor every really reached operational status.
The owner of the factory was William J. Kelly who died in 1908 prior to the factory moving full throttle in its operations. Due to complications regarding his will, all his assets were frozen which put on pause the facilities’ operations.
There was a massive fire on the property in 1915 that caused the deaths of a caretaker and his wife. The factory was eventually sold after Kelly’s issues were resolved.
The best entrance to the land is near the road where some crude drawings have been spray painted on the asphalt. Once you enter that area visitors need to take a short walk toward the factory.
Fox will be posting fliers about the cleanup with details of where to meet, what to bring and other information.
The group had previously considered a different location, the Crossley Preserve. According to the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust, Crossley is named after an abandoned clay mining town from the 1800s. The pits where clay was mined are now ponds that are breeding habitats for frogs.
The Township Environmental Commission is also supporting a rain garden project which a township Boy Scout is spearheading for his Eagle Scout project. The project has been given approval to move ahead and will be located near the Manchester branch of the Ocean County Library.
The Commission will discuss when the project will begin during its next meeting at 6 p.m. June 22 in Zoom format. The public is welcome to attend this meeting virtually. A link to the meeting will be posted on the Manchester Township website manchestertwp.com.
