The 1960s

1960

Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders passes two important resolutions to: (1) establish the "Monmouth County Parks and Recreation Department" [Jan 4, 1960] and (2) assign matters pertaining to county park lands to this department.
Shark River Park established. First 24 acres acquired from NJ Highway Authority; land was left over from Garden State Parkway construction. Another 40 acres of surplus land from Neptune acquired in 1962. Shark River Park opened in 1961.
Planning Board completes first Recreation and Open Space Plan for county.

1961

Freeholders establish the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners as governing body for the Monmouth County Park System by resolution (no members until 1962)

1962

Park System receives first Green Acres Grant in the state to acquire Holmdel Park.
Holmdel Park established. First 41 acres purchased in 1962; another 131 acres added the next year. Holmdel Park was dedicated and opened May 30, 1964.
Freeholders appoint first Board of Recreation Commissioners
Park System offers first interpretive program—a nature walk in Shark River Park

1963

Turkey Swamp Park established.Turkey Swamp Park opened in fall 1966, including the family campgrounds; but wasn’t dedicated until 1967. Nomoco opened in 1994 for group camping. The park has been growing steadily ever since, and in 2010, is by far the Park System’s largest property.

1965

Board of Recreation Commissioners adopts first County Park and Recreation Policy
Park System visitation reaches almost 100,000 by end of year

1966

Park System hired a naturalist and expanded the list of nature programs offered throughout the parks. This marks the beginning of the Naturalist Division. Early programs included very popular campfire events that hosted up to 50-100 campers at Turkey Swamp Park, and nature walks at Holmdel, Turkey and Thompson Parks.

1967

Howell Park Golf Course established. Purchased 303-acre property with matching grants from Green Acres and Federal Open Space Fund.
Historic Longstreet Farm established. It opened in 1971 (barns and barnyard). Farmhouse opened in 1983
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First issue of Green Heritage newsletter, September 1967
More than 2,000 county park acres preserved; (1967 Annual Report)

1968

Thompson Park established. Received gift of 215 acres from estate of Geraldine Thompson in 1968. Thompson Park was dedicated September 9, 1968.

1969

Durand Tract established. Received gift of 90 acres from Elizabeth T. Durand. The tract is leased to Freehold Twp for municipal recreation through February 28, 2035.
Baysholm established. Received gift of 71 acre family farm from Helen Herrmann. Baysholm was an undeveloped property for many years.
First Manasquan River Canoe Race held.
Annual Park System attendance reaches 406,601; there are 37 miles of trails.