A pair of brothers-in-law, talking politics during a Christmas get-together, hatched a plan to buy a local private beach and turn it into a public park. From that whimsy has emerged a serious effort that might allow ordinary people a chance to soak in the sun and natural glory of the property, adjacent to a national park.

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Close to 40,000 people have donated to the fund that soared past the $2 million mark on Friday. Money continued flooding in to boost the total and improve the chances that the seller would accept the offer.

The Awaroa Inlet is private land just outside the heart of New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park. The Department of Conservation (DOC) would love to manage the land as a public beach, but currently can't afford the $2 million asking price.

If the brothers raise enough money to present the highest bid, they will give the 18 acres of pristine land outright to the DOC.

The exact amount raised is being kept secret so the other 100, or so, potential buyers won't be able to easily outbid the crowdfunding campaign. With 6,000 people having donated since hitting the two million dollar mark, there might be a new public beach in town.

(READ more at the New Zealand Herald) – Photo: Givealittle

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