Alina Vinci, 7, (above) is pleased with her butterfly cheek decoration, which came courtesy of a face painter at the dedication of the Old Bridge Waterfront Park on Saturday in Laurence Harbor. At right, James Graham, 2, gets ready for a ride down the inflated slide set up on the Laurence Harbor beach.
$1.5M more in state funding received to extend park to cty. border
By sue m. morgan
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE — Celebrating with a Dixieland band, assorted children’s activities and typical boardwalk foods, the new Old Bridge Waterfront Park was officially dedicated Saturday afternoon.
James Phillips
During the mid-afternoon ceremony, David B. Crabiel, director of the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, announced the county’s receipt of an additional $1.5 million in Green Acres funds for the purpose of extending the existing 1.3-mile waterfront park by an additional 1.2 miles to the Monmouth County border.
The festivities also held special meaning for Ward 1 Councilman Joseph G. Hoff when the recently opened waterfront police substation was dedicated as The Hoff Pavilion in his honor. County officials, represented by Freeholder Deputy Director Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina, presented the veteran councilman and lifetime Laurence Harbor resident with a plaque in recognition for his efforts to redevelop the waterfront area.
Members of Hoff’s family, including his wife Patti and five of his adult children, witnessed the pavilion dedication.
With the completion of the existing 1.3 miles of the waterfront park, the county is prepared to move forward with the next portion, known as Phase II, extending through from Margaret Creek to the county line at Whale Creek, Hoff said.
David Crabiel
Physical plans for that section, which will include passive recreational areas, are now in the final design stage, he said.
"It’s 50 percent of the whole beachfront," Hoff noted.
The county is expected to put the project out for competitive bidding soon. Those bids are expected to come in by the end of the year, according to Hoff.
In his remarks, Crabiel mentioned that the waterfront park was four years in the making, and he asked those in attendance to look at the results.
PHOTOS BY FARRAH MAFFAI
"Just take a moment to gaze around at the beautiful boardwalk and facilities, which will be enjoyed by the people of Middlesex County for years to come," Crabiel said. "This is why the county’s board of chosen freeholders is taking positive action to do its part to preserve and improve important open space."
Crabiel mentioned the Laurence Harbor waterfront’s history as a prime vacation destination and tourist spot in the post-World War II era. Subsequent hurricanes destroyed the existing boardwalk and a dance casino, he recounted.
Once the Garden State Parkway was constructed, tourists began bypassing Old Bridge’s beaches in favor of the shores and amusement areas farther south, he noted.
"However, the people of Laurence Harbor and Cliffwood Beach have always appreciated the inherent beauty of living on the Raritan Bay," Crabiel said.
Reminiscent of the days when pirate ships sailed the waters of the Raritan Bay, a stilt-walking pirate strides the boards at Old Bridge Waterfront Park.
Crabiel credited Hoff and County Treasurer James T. Phillips, a township resident, with helping to revive the beachfront.
"Good people like your councilman Joe Hoff and our county treasurer Jim Phillips have been strong advocates for programs that would again allow people to find and enjoy the beauty of the Raritan Bay," Crabiel added.
Besides Hoff and Phillips, Crabiel recognized Ralph G. Albanir, director of county parks. Phillips and Albanir, both in attendance, had addressed the audience earlier.
"As the county point-men on this project, Jim and Ralph put their heart and soul into this park, and I thank them on behalf of everyone who will benefit from the fruits of their labor," Crabiel said.
Allison Manship, 7, creates an original spin-art painting, just one of the many kids’ activities at the waterfront park’s dedication.
Crabiel recalled a time four years earlier when he, Dalina and Freeholders H. James Polos and John Pulomena visited Laurence Harbor and listened to Hoff share his vision.
"The Hoff Plan as we came to refer to it at the county, became the inspiration for what we dedicate today," Crabiel said.
A visibly moved Hoff later discussed the bronze plaque placed on the wall of the police substation designating the pavilion named in his honor.
"I’m really very honored. The freeholders have been very good to me," he said, praising the freeholders for their ongoing support of the waterfront project.
"I’m very proud of them. It took a lot of planning on their part," Hoff said.
"It’s been a win-win situation for the township and county," he added.
Through covert arrangements made by Hoff’s friend, David Merwin, Hoff’s family traveled from their homes in Pennsylvania, Florida and Missouri to attend the dedication. Seven of his 17 grandchildren also witnessed the event.
Merwin, a Ward 1 constituent who is also president of the Laurence Harbor First Aid and Safety Squad, did a good job keeping the surprise under wraps, Hoff said. His wife and children apparently conspired with Merwin’s plan as well.
"I didn’t know a thing about it," he said.
Merwin’s squad was scheduled to celebrate its 75th anniversary later that same day with a concert and fireworks display on the beachfront at the end of Laurence Parkway. Those festivities also provided the closing activities for the waterfront dedication.
In a moment of levity, Hoff remarked that some of the county officials had suggested placing an engraved picture of him on the plaque.
"I told them to wait until I’m dead," he joked.
Regardless, Hoff said he appreciates the recognition and the community support he receives from residents of his ward.
"It’s nice to be respected by your people," he said.