The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has accepted a donation of property from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.
The 5-acre parcel at 350 Route 537, Colts Neck, will be added to the Dorbrook Recreation Area, which is located at 353 Route 537.
The freeholders accepted the donation during their meeting on Aug. 7.
Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, the board’s liaison to the Monmouth County Park System, said, “I am very grateful to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation for the donation of this land. It is an excellent acquisition for us to have, as it provides a little oasis around Dorbrook Recreation Area.”
According to a resolution, the Board of Recreation Commissioners recommended the acceptance of the donation and the freeholders agreed with the board’s recommendation. The donated land will be used for open space preservation, natural resources conservation, and public park and recreation purposes.
The freeholders said in the resolution that they “extend their sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation for this kind and generous donation to the county.”
Dorbrook Recreation Area opens at 7 a.m. daily, year round.
The active recreation site features 535 acres which include a barrier-free playground, tennis courts, two swimming pools (for lessons only), a Sprayground (water-enhanced playground), an inline rink, basketball courts, open fields and 2.3 miles of paved trail for walking, biking and in-line skating, according to the Monmouth County Park System website.
A bicycle repair station with a tire pump and tools has recently been added near the basketball courts. There are athletic fields available for use for games only, no practices.
Portable pickleball nets are set up for open play from Sunday through Wednesday, as weather permits. Nets are removed for open skating activity from Thursday through Saturday, according to the website.
Dorbrook Recreation Area also features Challenger Place, a playground for children of all abilities. This play facility includes elevated surfaces that are accessible to individuals in wheelchairs and Braille signs for individuals who are visually impaired.
The use of model rockets and radio controlled model aircraft is permitted, with appropriate permit, in designated areas on the south side of Route 537.
The park system’s website notes that coyotes have been sighted around Dorbrook Recreation Area. Parents are advised to monitor their children; not to feed coyotes; and to keep pets on leash and never leave them unattended.