By Allison Perrine
MONMOUTH COUNTY – The Monmouth County Park System (MCPS) had “unanticipated, record-breaking” attendance system-wide in 2020, superintendent of parks Tom Fobes announced Monday evening.
During the March 22 meeting of the county board of recreation commissioners, officials learned the successes and struggles of the park system in 2020 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as presented by Fobes in his annual operations report. It highlighted the park system’s achievements, such as hosting more than double the number of outdoor weddings over the prior year, as well as the programs and areas hit hardest by the shutdowns.
“The Monmouth County Park System’s operations staff worked very hard during 2020 and through the pandemic. The staff managed and maintained our county parks so that visitors could continue to enjoy our parks during very challenging times,” said Fobes. “Due to COVID-19, and the associated restrictions placed on residents of the county and state, people searched for areas to be outside, exercise and relieve stress. As there were few places to go, our parks were and remain popular and extremely valuable to the visiting public.”
Preparations for the busy year ahead began after Gov. Phil Murphy mandated a stay-at-home order last March as the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic began to set in. Park system officials knew that before parks reopened, adjustments and new protocols would have to be made. This included frequently disinfecting facilities, equipment, vehicles, tools, playgrounds and more. Capacity limits had to be established. One-way travel lanes had to be created along the 5-mile trail at the Manasquan Reservoir – the system’s most visited park.
That work paid off once Murphy allowed county parks to reopen. After being home for several weeks, county residents sought outdoor areas to enjoy the weather while remaining safe and socially distant. Organizations including Monmouth County Vocational Schools and the Monmouth County Police Academy rented East Freehold Showgrounds for graduation ceremonies.
And traditional park system ceremonies such as the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook were also held but modified.
“Staff worked diligently on the memorial ceremony – not only setting up and taking down but also training replacements for those that were part of the ceremony in the event that one became ill,” said Fobes. “As camps and programs resumed, the operations staff worked with visitor services in developing and implementing new processes and procedures so that programing could safely get under way.”
Outdoor weddings were popular last year, with the MCPS hosting more than double the ones it held in 2019. Deep Cut Gardens was a favorite spot, serving as the site of 27 of the 56 total weddings in 2020, according to Fobes. There were six weddings in Holmdel Park and five at Seven Presidents with the rest held in other parks in the Two River area and beyond.
“Despite the pandemic, people were still getting married,” said Fobes. “Parks are wonderful settings for outdoor weddings. This year many couples were forced to find outdoor settings as the restrictions resulting from the pandemic prevented most indoor venues.”
Additionally, revenues made at Monmouth Cove Marina in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown again exceeded $1 million. According to Fobes, this is for a variety of reasons, including “quality facilities, quality equipment and exceptional customer service.” Customers occupy nearly all available space each year and 2020 was no exception. He called the purchase of a new forklift and travel lift a “monumental” part of the year’s success.
In total, at Monmouth Cove Marina, revenue received for the season reached nearly $1.3 million stemming from 404 contracts. Boat racks and wet slips also sold out, bringing in $197,000 in revenue.
“As word of the new equipment spread throughout the local boating community, additional interest and inquiries relating to available space were received by staff,” said Fobes. “In 2020, staff also received, assembled and installed a new 40-foot dock for our customers. We have a really great staff there; we have a really good marina supervisor.”
On the other hand, park closures and limited capacities in the earlier part of 2020 contributed to revenue loss from park rental facilities. According to Fobes, revenue decreased 26 percent from 2019 with 239 shelters, picnic pavilions and tents rented out from April to October, bringing in $65,660 in revenue. Comparatively, MCPS rented out 303 facilities in 2019. But Fobes called the 2020 total “significant” considering the limitations presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, there were 25 more incident reports filed in 2020 than 2019, totaling 510. These reports are filed for a variety of reasons ranging from car accidents to providing ice packs for children who may have fallen. Of the 510 reports, 94 incidents were deer management related and 40 were at golf courses, according to Fobes.
At Seven Presidents Oceanfront Beach in Long Branch, there were 30 incidents reported compared to 19 in 2019, which were made when disturbances or major injuries occurred that required further medical or police attention, according to Fobes. There were also 558 bather rescues in 2020 compared to 151 in 2019; 780 bather assists compared to 422 the year prior; 279 patrons assisted compared to 214; and 55 lost persons compared to 47. All lost patrons were later found, he added. The reports occurred throughout the 113-day season in 2020 compared to the 100-day season in 2019.
“By and large, I think we were able to provide… a very good product for the public and gave them something to do when they were looking for something to do when there wasn’t much out there for them to do,” said Fobes.
This article was originally published in the March 25-31, 2021 edition of The Two River Times.
