Park Development

Green space in your community

MCF’s long-term goal, in line with national aspirations, is for every Monmouth County resident to have access to green space within ten minutes’ walking or biking distance from their homes. While our land preservation agenda has historically involved the creation or expansion of county and municipal parks, our work in park development over the past decade has been more focused and comprehensive.

Recent Park Development Projects

We prioritize park creation or enhancement in communities located in or which serve historically underrepresented populations, and we support grassroots efforts of citizens, groups, and municipalities working to bring or improve green space to their neighborhoods.

Our projects may involve redevelopment, pollution clean-up, and/or revitalization, and, like our land preservation projects, our park development efforts range from MCF acting in a supportive role to being the project lead.

Sunset Park, Red Bank (8 acres)

Sunset Park is an ambitious, in-progress project to transform Red Bank’s former landfill into a vibrant, 8-acre waterfront park that will bring green space and Swimming River access to the community. In partnership with the Borough of Red Bank, MCF is advancing the project through critical assessment and planning phases, supported by a recent $500,000 grant awarded to MCF by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The vision for public access, environmental restoration, and community benefit was propelled in 2021 with a transformative $2 million gift (the largest in MCF’s history!) from an anonymous donor, providing essential seed funding for future park construction and long-term stewardship. Learn more about Sunset Park.

Sgt. George Ashby Memorial Park, Allentown (3 Acres)

MCF helped create Allentown’s newest park; a three-acre downtown green space that honors the life and legacy of Sgt. George Ashby, New Jersey’s last surviving Civil War veteran. MCF contributed funding toward the land purchase in 2016 for this inclusive history-themed park, which is located near the historic Black cemetery where Ashby is buried.

The project, built in phases with support from Monmouth County open space grants, celebrates local African American history while creating meaningful neighborhood open space. Once completed, the park will feature a monument that recognizes Ashby’s service with the 45th U.S. Colored Infantry and provide a contemplative place for public enjoyment and remembrance in the heart of the borough. Learn more about Sgt. George Ashby Memorial Park.

Shrewsbury Riverfront Park, Sea Bright (1.05 acre)

Ten years after Superstorm Sandy ravaged the Jersey Shore in 2012, Shrewsbury Riverfront Park started coming to fruition at the site of a former apartment complex damaged by the storm. The land was acquired using NJ DEP Green Acres Program funds and a grant from the National Park Service Lands and Water Conservation Fund. A collaboration of Monmouth County, the Borough of Sea Bright, and MCF, the 1.05-acre park is a peaceful riverside refuge with beautiful views of the Shrewsbury River located one block from the Atlantic Ocean.

Driven by gifts from generous donors, MCF’s partnership with the Borough helped install a walking path, benches, bicycle racks, and a pavilion paying homage to the historic Sea Bright Railroad Station. As planning and fundraising continue, our goal is to complete a welcoming park that expands public access to the water, celebrates Sea Bright’s rich transit history, and strengthens community life along the riverfront and Jersey shore. Learn more about Shrewsbury Riverfront Park.

Support Shrewsbury Riverfront Park

Swimming River Park, Middletown (18 Acres)

This 18-acre waterfront park in the River Plaza section of Middletown represents the decade-long collaborative effort between Monmouth Conservation Foundation, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, and the Monmouth County Park System to preserve treasured open space, restore the natural watershed at the confluence of the Navesink and Swimming Rivers, and provide broad public access to the water and outdoor recreation.

Originally privately owned, the land was acquired with MCF’s assistance in 2015 and 2018. MCF and the Park System oversaw different stages of the necessary site clean-up and remediation, including a capping process to make the site safe and usable by the public. These efforts were supported by funding from the Hazardous Discharge Site Relief Fund (HDSRF) through the NJ DEP and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

The land has been improved with a restored boat ramp, kayak launch area, walking trail, and year-round opportunities for fishing, crabbing, wildlife observation, and community enjoyment. A highlight of the park’s legacy is the Judith Stanley Coleman Memorial seating area, dedicated in 2023 to honor MCF’s co-founder and longtime leader, whose vision helped shape land preservation efforts throughout Monmouth County. Learn more about Swimming River Park and the Judith Stanley Coleman Memorial dedication.

Jackson Woods Park, Long Branch (13 acres)

The City of Long Branch’s Jackson Woods Park was created in 1991 when a farmhouse and wetlands property that had been slated for redevelopment was protected as open space through a NJ DEP Green Acres Program grant. Although preserved, the area became overgrown and was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, leaving it inaccessible, unsafe, and littered with garbage.

In 2018 a group of concerned citizens – the Friends of Jackson Woods – formed to revitalize the park to benefit the community and began working with MCF. With support from the City of Long Branch and Mayor John Pallone, MCF and many local volunteer organizations, along with the leadership, passion, and efforts of the Friends of Jackson Woods, the park has been transformed into an oasis of green space with a charming mix of art and education elements. Improvements include a trail system, boardwalk, outdoor classroom area, native plantings, seating areas, and spaces for play and gathering, reflecting the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

In 2023, the park’s spirit of community pride was further celebrated with the unveiling of a prominent sculpture installation, enhancing the park’s identity as a place of art, belonging, and everyday enjoyment. Rising Waters was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New Jersey Coastal Management Program (CMP), Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts through a grant obtained by MCF.

Jackson Woods Park stands as a testament to what local collaboration and stewardship can achieve in reclaiming underused urban land for lasting public benefit. MCF continues to serve as the representative 501(c)(3) for Friends of Jackson Woods, seeking and accepting donations and grants on their behalf and assisting with partnerships and marketing. Learn more about Jackson Woods Park and the Rising Seas sculpture project.

Support Jackson Woods Park

Edgemere Park, Sea Girt (2.69 acres)

MCF helped facilitate the addition of a pollinator garden at Edgemere Park in 2024, reflecting our commitment to conserving and restoring natural habitats across Monmouth County. This 9,600-square-foot garden was made possible by two anonymous grants that MCF secured through the National Philanthropic Trust in 2022 and 2023.

Located within the Borough of Sea Girt’s 2.69-acre park, the garden features native pollinator plants protected by fencing to deter deer, educational signage, and bird and pollinator feeders. The garden provides essential food, shelter, and water for birds, bees, and other pollinators. As improvements continue under the Sea Girt Conservancy’s Strategic Landscape Plan, the pollinator garden now serves as the park’s ecological and educational centerpiece.

Springwood Avenue Park, Asbury Park (1.3 acres)

MCF’s first park development project, Springwood Avenue Park is a vibrant 1.3-acre urban green space in Asbury Park developed in partnership with Monmouth County, the City of Asbury Park, Interfaith Neighbors, and MCF. Opened in 2016, it holds the distinction of being the first City-owned and City-maintained park on Asbury Park’s West Side and features an outdoor stage, water fountain, landscaped public space, and a playground, creating a welcoming place for recreation, community gatherings, and outdoor performances.

This park was part of the redevelopment of the remaining vacant parcels within the Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Area, bringing nonprofits and affordable housing to the neighborhood. MCF helped bring Springwood Avenue Park and the partners’ vision to fruition by raising funds needed to complete its construction.