OCEANPORT – A proposal to utilize Fort Monmouth’s former Parade Grounds for local sports fields has entered the review process following a written request by borough Mayor John “Jay” Coffey, but officials warned answers could be months away. The high-profile site inside the fort’s Oceanport Avenue entrance is currently designated as historic/open space. No structures can be built there.
Coffey submitted a letter outlining his proposal to the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), the state/county/local agency charged with selling off the fort’s 1,127 acres spanning three towns – Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls.
Steadman noted that such uses are “quite common” elsewhere in the United States, hosting youth and family events. “It’s a really great use,” he said, adding, “FMERA hasn’t determined how Cowan Park and the Parade Grounds will be used. Oceanport may not be entitled to it. We could contract with a private company that would maintain and operate the fields. There’s quite a bit of thought on how Greeley and Cowan could be used and owned. We hope to resolve that in six months to a year.”
“As each fort property is sold, it officially goes on the local tax rolls,” Coffey continued. “Those acres are part of Oceanport. The sole purpose of FMERA is to transfer those properties.”