Ocean County will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Ocean County Park system during a special event scheduled for June 27 at Ocean County Park, located on Route 88 in Lakewood.
“We encourage residents and visitors alike to come out and celebrate with us as we recognize the 75th Anniversary of our park system,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “We could not have chosen a better location than Ocean County Park – our flagship park – to hold this celebration.”
From 4 to 8 p.m., June 27, the public can enjoy horse and carriage rides; practice their golf swing; take a nature or history walk; see animals in the petting zoo; watch a magic show; enjoy a canoe or kayak ride on the lake; listen to live music or watch the Bog Iron Boys put on an old time baseball game. A variety of non profit and county-based organizations will be on hand with exhibits, demonstrations and giveaways. There will be arts and crafts for the kids and food will be available for purchase by Cuisine on the Green, the restaurant run by the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools Culinary Program. Attendance is free.
“This event gives our residents and visitors not only an opportunity to enjoy the afternoon at Ocean County Park but to learn all that we have to offer throughout the park system,” Bartlett said. “During the year we offer a host of recreational programs for all ages. And, our parks sites offer something for everyone. You can enjoy active sites or passive parks. We have it all.”
Ocean County Park, the county’s first park, is rich in history and is the perfect setting for a 75th anniversary celebration. Donated by the Rockefeller family in 1940 and home to the NY Giants Baseball team for spring training during WWII, Ocean County Park continues to flourish and provide thousands of families with beautiful natural scenery and opportunities for recreation.
“Over the years, the number of parks has increased as has the use of the parks,” Bartlett said. “From meandering trails to playing fields, from passive recreation areas to dog parks and from educational and environmental centers to golf courses, the more than 4,000 acres of open space gives residents and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors offered in Ocean County.
“I am so very proud of the parks that we have here in Ocean County,” he said. “With 27 park facilities, our residents and visitors have an opportunity to enjoy not just open space and recreational activities but our history and our heritage. We are looking forward to celebrating this premiere County Park system.”
For more information on the anniversary celebration, visit www.oceancountyparks.org or call 1-877-OC PARKS. Event is rain or shine.
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Is the lake open for swimming
It’s on Shabbos, but, that’s just as well.
June 27th is shabbos.
The parks here are disappointing. Outdated equipment, lack of maintenance, very few walking/bike trails. Most aren’t very inviting as a result. I’ve lived in different cities for over forty years and Lakewood was and is poor example for a park system especially with so many kids. Call what you want but it shows lack of pride and encouragement for enjoying outdoors activities.