News
Monmouth County Parks Celebrate 50 Years
By Ryan Fennell
LINCROFT - The Monmouth County Park System celebrated its 50th Anniversary last Sunday at the Thompson Park Visitor Center in Lincroft.
The celebration was hosted by Friends of the Parks, a non-profit organization formed in 1991 with the mission to help supplement the park system's various programs. Current and former Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders were in attendance.
It was a resolution adopted by the Freeholders in 1960 that paved the way for the development of Monmouth County parks. Following passage of the resolution that created the first county park, 24 acres of land left over from the construction of the Garden State Parkway were acquired from the New Jersey Highway Authority. Shark River Park, the first county park, opened in 1961.
From that humble beginning the county park system has grown into 38 locations amounting to over 14,000 acres of parkland that drew over five million visitors in 2009.
"The first thank you, of course, goes to the Board of Freeholders for creating a legacy," said Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners Director James Truncer. "And certainly the Friends (of the Parks) in their support in helping to promote the park system." "And the volunteers who work to keep the parks going and really give of their time and talent," Truncer added. "I would be remiss if I didn't point out the dedication and hard work of our staff." "We really all worked to set a standard of quality and excellence in our facilities and services to preserve our natural and cultural resources and to create a sense of community and to preserve our heritage and create a sense of place," Truncer said. Freeholder Director Lillian Burry attended the celebration and took time to thank all those involved over the years to cultivate and maintain the park system.
"I'm not simply a friend of the parks, I'm a lover of the parks," Burry said.
Burry credited the Friends of the Parks with helping to successfully supplement park system programs.
"They have done a remarkable job in achieving that goal," Burry said.
"There's a lot they have done and I'm sure they are not finished. They truly are friends of the parks."
"It's hard to believe that the park system started 50 years ago with a few leftover acres from the construction of the Garden State Parkway," said Chairman of the Board of Recreation Commissioners Edward Loud.
"From that meager beginning we now have 38 locations comprising of more than 14,000 acres throughout Monmouth County and still growing."
"Thanks to the Freeholders, past and present, for their foresight in creating a park system and supporting it all these years," Loud added.
Attendees at the celebration enjoyed live music, food and refreshments and had the opportunity to view videos of the growth of the park system over the years.
A book detailing the full history of the Monmouth County Park System is available to pre-order through the Friends of the Parks.
