Golden Moments


Park System Ranger Patch 1960s1960    Monmouth County Board of Freeholders decide to use 24 acres of leftover land from the GS Parkway to create a county park

1961   Shark River Park opens as the first county park.

1962     First  New Jersey Green Acres Grant awarded to 
              Monmouth County to establish Holmdel Park (opens 1964)

1968   Thompson Park acquired by donations from the estate of
            Geraldine Livingston Thompson.

1972    Howell Park Golf Course opens as the first county-owned and 
             operated Monmouth County golf course.

Park System Truck - 1968

1975    First hosted Monmouth County Fair held at East Freehold Showgrounds.

1984     Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park opens as the only county-operated beach in New 
             Jersey.

1994     Monmouth County Park System becomes the first nationally accredited Park and Recreation 
              agency in the nation. 

1997     Total acreage of Monmouth County Park System reaches 10,000 acres.

2007     Park System visitation exceeds 5 million visitors a year and 100 millionth visitor.

Shark River Park entrance sign - 1965

 

2010   Monmouth County's open space tops 15,000 acres as the Park System celebrates its
           50th anniversary.

2018  Restored Historic Battery Lewis in the Hartshorne Woods Park Rocky Point section,
          Highlands, opened seasonally for tours.