By Karen Keene

Not many people know this, but Jim Truncer played an instrumental role in the founding of Monmouth Conservation Foundation.

In the 1970s, Jim invited thirty-five people to dinner and shared his vision for a nonprofit to work hand-in-hand with Monmouth County to preserve land and create parks. A local attorney, Chet Apy, acted as a moderator for Jim’s presentation during the dinner, which was modeled after a California state parks foundation.

Twenty or so of the dinner guests signed on to help, including Judith Stanley Coleman (1935- 2010), who went on to become one of MCF’s co-founders. Michael Huber (1927-2009), MCF’s other co-founder, joined the effort shortly after. Jim acted as secretary to the incorporation, and a group of six to eight individuals served as incorporators.

MCF was officially established in 1977 by this passionate group of citizens to acquire, hold, preserve, and protect the open lands, historic areas, and park and recreational areas of Monmouth County, New Jersey, together with any buildings located thereon. MCF began as a park foundation, but our founders – Judy, in particular – felt it should be a land trust. During the establishment phase, the organization changed names and direction to become the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization it is today.

Nearly a half-century later, MCF is the County’s only land trust, and our purpose is to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability. We work together with public and private partners – very often with Monmouth County – to preserve land in perpetuity, and to protect and enhance the natural resources in our communities.

We have assisted with the preservation of 9,090 acres overall in Monmouth County. Among these, we have helped to conserve over 4,500 acres of County parklands – 25% of Monmouth County Park System’s (MCPS) current 18,000 acres, acting as a facilitator among stakeholders and partners and/or by contributing funding.

“We owe a great deal to Jim Truncer for his quiet leadership, diplomatic collaboration, and genuine commitment to land preservation. MCF wholeheartedly thanks Jim for being an MCF ex-officio board member and cherished partner to our organization for decades during his robust life of 86 years. We are honored to establish the Jim Truncer Memorial Fund in his memory to carry on his meaningful legacy of preserving green space and creating parks for the benefit of the people.”

— Bill Kastning
MCF Executive Director

Jim grew up at Parvin State Park in Elmer, New Jersey, where his father, Joseph J. Truncer (1907-2000) was the first superintendent. Jim spent his days riding his bicycle all around the Park visiting nearby farms, where he befriended older children living on the farmsteads. Some of the older children secretly took him up in the crop dusters – an activity that Jim’s daughter, Becky, says sparked her father’s love of flying.

Jim began his tenure with Monmouth County as a volunteer on the Board of Recreation Commissioners before becoming a park planner with the Planning Board in 1964 and then became the Park System Secretary Director in 1965, a position he held for 58 years, until his passing. Becky shared that her dad’s first thought for his career may not have been park system administration, but his father’s career in the field and Jim’s childhood on a state park made a major impact and set Jim on his professional path. Jim and his father each led park system agencies and oversaw the preservation of tens of thousands of acres for public benefit, across New Jersey.

Both Joseph, in 1969, and Jim Truncer, in 1994, received the Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) – the only father and son recipients in the award’s 95-year history. The Pugsley Medals are among the most prestigious awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of public parks and conservation in the United States.

In addition to advising and helping to start MCF, Jim similarly facilitated the formation of the Friends of the Parks in 1993. Both local nonprofits directly support the Park System. In his Pugsley citation, Jim was described as “a champion of developing unique and successful partnerships and collaborations with non-profit organizations and public agencies to develop alternative funding and acquisition opportunities to benefit parks, recreation, and historic preservation.”

“We’re very lucky in Monmouth County to have what we have, but we didn’t get it by luck. Jim was able to bring partnerships together, between county government officials, professional staff, concerned community leaders, and private individuals.”

— Maria Wojciechowski
Executive Director of the
Monmouth County Friends of the Parks

Jim worked to establish the Commission for the Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and put his own agency – MCPS through the rigorous process in the first round of national review in 1994. MCPS achieved the nation’s first accreditation from CAPRA in 1994, a level of excellence still proudly held by the agency today.

Countless accolades mark Jim’s 58-year career with the Park System. Jim was a leader in establishing New Jersey’s first County Open Space tax in 1992. He earned the 2002 Distinguished Professional Award from the National Recreation and Park Association and the 2002 NJ Recreation & Park Association Administrative Excellence Award.

Under his direction, MCPS grew from 350 acres on three parks – Holmdel, Shark River and Turkey Swamp – to over 18,000 acres of parkland, which includes 37 parks, six golf courses, and 148 miles of trails. The Park System also offers more than 5,000 activities, trips, and programs serving over 94,000 people each year. Monmouth County has been recognized as one of the nation’s best places to live, and the Park System, under Jim’s leadership, is a contributing factor to the distinction. MCPS is now recognized nationally and, arguably, internationally by those involved with parks.

When Jim celebrated his 50th year as director of MCPS in 2016, approaching his 80th birthday, he was the longest-serving county employee. On the occasion, he was asked if retirement was in the future, and he replied, “When they close the lid,” appearing serious. He lived out his life committed to his important work.

He was fiercely dedicated, modest, and selfless. Jim was renowned for always thinking of people – the users of our parks and public open spaces – in his leadership over the Park System. He was detailed and meticulous. While visiting Park System sites, he was known to be the first one to pick up a piece of litter on the ground or ask his late wife, Ramona, of 63 years to check the ladies’ restroom for cleanliness. On one of his last drives with daughter, Becky, Jim stopped in and wanted to see how the driveway was coming at one of the Park System golf courses.

When asked about his favorite County park, Jim struggled to answer – much like being asked to choose a favorite child. Jim’s family recalls him having a special place in his heart for each park, likening them to his babies. He once shared with MCF staff that he loved Historic Walnford. Jim lived in Allentown, close to Walnford in western Monmouth, and was familiar with the property before it became part of the Park System. He and MCPS tried to buy the property to make it a County park but were unsuccessful. Ed and Joanne Mullen later gifted it to the County, and it is now one of the historic sites located along the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway.

“I tell our people we’ve been blessed. Beautiful county. To raise a family, to have a business. When we have visitors, they’re surprised parts of New Jersey are so beautiful. We’re blessed we’ve had the support of the public, our political leadership”

— Jim Truncer upon his 50th Anniversary with MCPS

Jim is beloved by many and remembered for his strong character. He was humble, thoughtful, and honest – a true gentleman. Becky remembers her dad always making her and her brother, James, feel like they could do anything. Jim encouraged and taught them to be resourceful self-starters and to do things the right way. He was an excellent role model and gifted storyteller. He was loved by his staff and respected by the Board of County Commissioners (formerly known as Freeholders) and Board of Recreation Commissioners as a visionary.

MCF posthumously honored Jim Truncer at the 2023 Fall for Conservation Cocktail Party, the proceeds of which benefited the Jim Truncer Memorial Fund. For more information or to contribute to the Fund, please visit monmouthconservation.org/truncer

THIS ARTICLE REFERENCES JIM TRUNCER: REALIZING THE PEOPLE SIDE OF PARKS BY JOSEPH SAPIA, FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE TWO RIVER TIMES IN THE JUNE 16-23, 2016 PRINT EDITION.