The Monmouth County Park System is expanding its facilities and recreational programs this fall.
Arts and crafts, sports, exercise classes and special events are among the new programs and services being launched in September at the new Fort Monmouth Recreation Center.
“This [site] offers us an extensive indoor facility so that we can run a lot more programs for all ages,” Andrew Spears, superintendent of recreation for the Monmouth County Park System, said.
“The county park system has no other indoor facility dedicated exclusively to recreation, so this is something brand-new and exciting for us.”
The 21,000-square-foot facility, located on Guam Lane in the Tinton Falls area of Fort Monmouth, features a kitchen, classrooms, gymnasium and game room. The 6- acre property also features an outdoor swimming pool, gazebo and picnic area.
Monmouth County gave the public a sneak peek inside the facility with an open house on Aug. 10 — eight months after the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) approved the transfer of the property to the county from the U.S. Army.
“It has been a long time coming,” Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry said. “This was an opportunity for the county to get something that was so useful to us and our programming. There is something for everyone here, and it does fill a void in this particular area of the county.”
The open house was well-attended, Burry said. “I was amazed at how many came,” she said, recalling some of the supportive comments members of the public made during the event.
“There was one woman who said, ‘This is the best use of my taxpayer dollars that I have seen.’ A gentleman who was stationed at the fort said, ‘It’s so great to come back and see such good use of what was closed up to everyone.’ ” Though the recreation center is opening in September, the outdoor pool won’t be open until 2014.
Visitors enjoy the activities at the Aug. 10 open house for the former Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, which has been acquired by the Monmouth County Park System. The 21,000-square-foot center is the county’s first indoor facility devoted entirely to recreation programs. “It was so late in the season. [With] the few things they have to do to spruce it up, because it was not operational for a few years, it was senseless to think of opening it for this season,” Burry said. “As far as the building, it was in pristine condition and fully equipped, since the Army left behind furnishings.”
Burry said the recreation center provides plenty to do, with pingpong tables, a fullsized basketball court and an extensive variety of recreational programs.
According to the fall schedule, some of the adult programs include coffee clubs, which will provide adults with the opportunity to socialize over cards and board games; a variety of yoga classes; and athletic activities such as dodge ball and volleyball.
Some of the programs for teens and children include art and performing arts programs; educational classes such as Spanish language courses; reading and nature; and sports such as field hockey and basketball.
Activities for toddlers will include Morning Song, which helps children work on coordination and fitness through music, exercise and the use of specialized play equipment.
“It’s probably the most eclectic collection of activities of any enclosed building we have,” Burry said, adding that there are even discussions about culinary classes.
There is no membership fee, but many of the programs require a registration fee, according to Spears.
Monmouth County acquired the parcel, formerly known as the Fort Monmouth Teen Center, at no cost to county taxpayers.
“It was appraised for $2.5 million and we, the county, were able to negotiate so that we didn’t have to pay anything,” Spears said, adding that the county will provide in-kind services in exchange. “Our public works [department] will do roadwork there, etc.”