For Immediate Release:
January 25, 2010
Freeholders kick off park celebration
50-year milestone marked with 1st proclamation of the year
At the Park System's 50th anniversary proclamation presentation were (left to right) Recreation Commission member Fred J. Rummel, Michael G. Harmon, Park System Director James J. Truncer, Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, Recreation Commission Chairman Edward J. Loud, Recreation Commissioner Michael W. Brim, Park Naturalist Tanya Dinova, Historic Sites Caretaker Sarah Duterte and County Park Ranger Paul Basquill.
LINCROFT, NJ – At the first regular meeting of the 2010 Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Board congratulated the county Park System on its 50th anniversary milestone and encouraged county residents to get out and see the “Gold and Growing” park system.
“The county’s parks, open spaces and recreation programs have provided generations of residents with places to enjoy the out of doors, learn about local history and get physically and mentally fit,” Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said. “This Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to support the tradition of public parks and recreation that began here in 1960.”
On Jan. 4, 1960, the Freeholders established the county park and recreation department – now known as the Monmouth County Park System.
“Fifty years is an important milestone and a good time to take a look back at how the county has been improved by the creation and growth of the county Park System,” Burry said. “We have a system of parks that includes forests, fields, gardens, wetlands, aquatic habitats, golf courses, greenways, historic sites, recreation areas and more.
In 1961, the first county park, Shark River Park, opened with a modest picnic area and attracted almost 6,000 visitors during its first year. The park was established with a 24-acre parcel of land leftover from the construction of the Garden State Parkway.
The Park System managed to acquire land and establish some of its most iconic properties within its first few years: Holmdel Park (1962), a nationally ranked cross-country running site and one of the area’s most visited parks; Turkey Swamp (1963), now the county’s largest park and one of few with campgrounds in Monmouth County; Howell Park (1967), the county’s first golf course; Longstreet Farm (1967), the county’s first historic site and a favorite of many families with small children, and Thompson Park (1968), the Park System’s Headquarters featuring historic buildings, a playground, tennis courts and soccer fields, meadows, trails, program facilities, and a lake.
Today, the Park System manages 38 county parks on 14,500 acres of property, as well as the many unique, highly popular and free recreational facilities. These include the skateplex (2006) at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park (1982); the sprayground (2004) at Dorbrook Recreation Area (1985); the 5-mile perimeter trail, Environmental Center, and boat rentals at the Manasquan Reservoir (1990) – now the Park System’s most popular site with more than one million visits per year – or the new off-leash dog area (2008) at Wolf Hill Recreation Area (1997) that was installed in response to the success of the first off-leash dog area (2000) at Thompson Park.
“It has been my pleasure to be part of the Monmouth County Park System for 45 years,” said parks Director James J. Truncer. “The county parks are here today because of the unwavering support by the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the past five decades. Because of the Board’s support the park system has preserved historic sites, protected precious water resources and provided spaces for residents to enjoy no matter what their age, interest or ability may be.”
“Last year, the park system again welcomed more than five million visitors through its gates,” Burry said. “This is possible because a corps of talented and dedicated employees and volunteers work to keep the parks clean and safe, organize activities and events and acquire, plan and design visitor facilities for all to enjoy.”
The Board of Chosen Freeholders encourages county residents to visit the county parks during this 50th anniversary year.
“A great place to start is with a tour of the Thompson Park in Lincroft,” said Freeholder Burry. “You can stop by the park’s Visitor Center to view an exhibit about all the county parks and see this rebuilt structure that was once home to Monmouth County philanthropists Geraldine and Lewis Thompson.”
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