The 2000s

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2000

• Metedeconk River Greenway established. This property is undeveloped.
• Yellowbrook Tract established. Purchased the first 225 acres. The property is wetland, woodland and wildlife habitat with potential for trail development. This tract is undeveloped.
• 12,114 county park acres preserved; there are now 36 parks; annual visitation is 3,965,815 (2000 Annual Report)

2001 

 

• First nesting bald eagle pair discovered at Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center.
• Recreation Services Plan adopted.

2002 

• Indoor horseback riding facility opens at Sunnyside Recreation Area. SPUR program relocates to the facility.
• Voters approve increase in Open Space Tax from $10 million to $16 million per year, with $2 million for cooperative projects

2003 

• Coastal Activity Center opens in Asbury Park
• Re-accredited by CAPRA

2005 

• Monmouth County’s 9/11 Memorial dedicated at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook
• National Recreation and Park Agency Citizen Branch Award to Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners for sustained commitment to parks, recreation and open space

2006 

• Thompson Park Visitor Center fire completely destroys building, February 6.  
• Annual Park System attendance is 4,821,630; there are over  100 miles of trails (113 miles)
• Voters approve a change from a flat Open Space Tax of $16 million per year to a rate tax of 1.5 cents for each $100 of equalized assessed value of land in the county.

2007 

• Park System annual visitation exceeds 5 million; Park System honors its 100,000,000th visitor.
• There are more than 14,000 acres in Park System. 
• New County Open Space Plan published.

2008 

• Rose Parterre completed at Deep Cut Gardens
•  Annual Park System attendance is 5,087,450; there are over 120 miles of trails

2009 

• The completely rebuilt Visitor Center opens at Thompson Park (post-fire) 
• Renovated Historic Seabrook–Wilson house opens as the Bayshore Activity Center.