Friends of the Monmouth County Park System

In 2023, special projects funded by the Friends included a replica weathervane for the estate grounds of thompson Park, a new blacksmith's firepot, 3 replica historic-style wheelbarrows, costume materials for historic longstreet farm and heirloom fruit trees for historic portland place. the Friends also funded the framing of historic world war ii bond posters, which were discovered in historic portland place, and subsequently displayed for "the art of war" exhibit at historic walnford. the Friends paid to have six paintings framed for the clubhouse at hominy hill golf course. Additional funding was provided to continue replacing the purple martin houses in thompson Park and dorbrook recreation area. the Friends are proud to sponsor the Monmouth County Park System's team for the birding all-star competition each year. the Friends have also received grants to purchase native plants for huber woods and tools to maintain trails throughout the Park System. the Friends purchased rose bushes and orchids for deep cut gardens. During this past year, the Friends placed a total of 19 new memorial Park benches: 9 in holmdel Park, 6 in swimming river Park, 2 in thompson Park, 1 in turkey swamp, 1 in deep cut gardens and a memorial table set for seven presidents oceanfront Park. In addition, the Friends continued to provide recreation assistance funding for camp scholarships, after school programs and Park excursions for the urban recreation division and community recreation division. Funding was also provided for volunteer programs and therapeutic recreation programs, as well as for advanced education and training seminars and courses for Park System staff. the Friends are proud to provide this support for the Monmouth County Park System.