New Jersey

Asbury Park, a Bustling Beach Spot South of New York City, Is Thriving

Published

6 months ago

December 2, 2023

Asbury Park, a Bustling Beach Spot South of New York City, Is Thriving

First developed as an oceanfront resort in the late 1800s, the once down-at-the-heels Jersey Shore community of Asbury Park has seen quite a renaissance and rebirth in recent years.

Celebrated on the cover of Bruce Springsteen’s debut album in 1972, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” the 1.6-square-mile Monmouth County city is still famous for its music scene along with its great Atlantic Ocean beach and bustling centerpiece boardwalk.

“One of the great things about Asbury Park is that it’s open year-round, and some of these shore towns are not,” said Joe Scheeler, broker associate and office manager, Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty in Asbury Park. In some nearby beach communities, restaurants start closing just after Labor Day. “Ours stay open. The off-season is busy.”

Scheeler and his husband, Tim Cantrell, started coming down to Asbury Park about 15 years ago as weekenders from their primary residences in the North Jersey cities of Hoboken and Jersey City.

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“We decided to migrate here full time about 10 years ago,” and they now live in a single-family house a couple of blocks from the beach, Scheeler said.

With an office on Cookman Avenue, Asbury’s main commercial drag, Scheeler now works full time selling real estate while Cantrell commutes to his job in New York City five days a week by train.

“That’s another great thing about Asbury,” Scheeler said. “It has a really strong connection to New York, and it’s easy to get down here.”

“We were concerned about leaving the New York area, but there is always something to do here,” he said. “Our weekends are oversubscribed.”

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Along with the train option, many commuters drive to Highlands, New Jersey, and hop on a high-speed ferry to Manhattan, said Jim Kesling, sales associate, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Signature Properties in Asbury Park.

“The big things about Asbury are diversity, entertainment, access and our historic architecture,” he said, also noting its “thriving music scene.”

“My grandparents owned a house in Asbury in the 1960s,” Kesling said. “I remember that big Beaux-Arts-style palace on the beach as a five-year-old.”

As an adult looking for a good spot for a second home, “I made my first trip down from the city in the spring of 2002,” he said. “I made offers on two places my first day down here.”

Kesling kept his house in North Jersey for about three years before buying a 1921 one-and-a-half-story house across from Deal Lake and moving to Asbury full time.

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Boundaries

The 158-acre Deal Lake forms the northern and part of the western boundary of Asbury Park, with the communities of Allenhurst and Deal on the other side of the lake, Kesling said. The Atlantic Ocean forms the eastern edge of the city, with Ridge Avenue and Ocean Township forming the remainder of the western boundary.

To the south, the next-door communities of Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach are just on the other side of Lake Avenue.

Price Range

“It’s a pretty wide price range here,” Scheeler said. “Prices are very dependent on proximity to the beach.”

Most condos sell from about $230,000 up to $3.8 million for a prime unit at a full-service building, such as the Asbury Ocean Club, that offers a hotel component and lots of amenities, he said.

Citywide, the median price for condos is $534,000, Scheeler said. “Anything in the mid-$500,000s is doing well.”

The median price for a single-family house is $699,000, Scheeler said.

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At the very top of the market, a single-family house in town sold for a record-breaking $2.2 million this past summer, Kesling said. “It was a flip, and they added an in-ground pool.”

Because of Covid-19, single-family homes over the last couple of years have fared better than condos because people “want that privacy and a backyard, their own private spaces,” Scheeler said. “Condos with outdoor spaces have also done well.”

“Houses with pools are very attractive now,” which was not the case five years ago, he said. Unsurprisingly, Asbury homes closest to the ocean tend to be larger and with higher price points.

Housing Stock

A lot of the single-family homes in town were built in the 1920s, with condos going up in the 1960s and ’70s, Scheeler said. There are still some areas that are getting full gut renovations and some newer construction.

Single-family homes are predominant in the northeast part of town, with condos more prevalent downtown and in other parts of the southeastern section of the city, Scheeler said.

A lot of houses in town have a composite style of architecture, Kesling said. His own house, an “Arts and Crafts house with Colonial and Federal characteristics,” is typical.

The city also has an “interesting mix of grand old Victorian houses from the 1870s onward,” many of which were divided up into multi-family homes and rooming houses, he said.

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Kesling remembers seeing lots of boarded-up buildings after he moved to town and began selling real estate. “I used to bring a screwdriver with me to show houses,” in case he needed a tool to take down plywood to get inside, he said.

“Back then, the beach was pretty desolate,” he added. These days, he estimated nine out of 10 houses in the northwest section of the city have been redone, he said. In the southwestern part of the city, it’s two-and-a-half out of 10.

“Most of town has pretty much been renovated now, but there are still a few blocks, even close to the ocean, that are not all spic and span,” Kesling said.

Single-family homes are predominant in the northeast part of town, with condos more prevalent downtown.

Barry Winiker / Getty Images

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What Makes It Unique

“Asbury Park is like an urban beach town that’s open all year-round,” Scheeler said.

In recent years, the downtown area of the city, especially along Cookman Avenue, has become a lively mix of restaurants and bars, boutique shops and art galleries.

“You have the beach and the Atlantic Ocean but additionally you have a really great downtown,” Kesling said. “We have probably one of the top 10-rated downtowns in the state of New Jersey.”

Asbury Park is justly famous for its long boardwalk, an old-fashioned wooden structure that’s open year-round and offers plenty of restaurants and shops, he said.

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The main portion of the boardwalk is bounded by the 1920s Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre complex at the north end and the Casino Arena and Carousel House to the south. Both were designed by Warren Whitney, a Beaux-Arts architect from New York.

The boardwalk extends for miles down the shore, into other neighboring communities, like Bradley and Ocean Grove, Kesling said. “Within 10 minutes, you can see a variety of other nearby towns. It’s our Barcelona. It’s just lively, very culturally diverse and very colorful.”

You won’t find much in the way of corporate chain restaurants and coffee houses in Asbury Park, Kesling said. “The town wants individually owned stores.”

Luxury Amenities

The Asbury Ocean Club offers 130 luxury condos and 54 boutique hotel rooms in a new 17-story building rising above the surf. Other boutique hotels include the Asbury Hotel, the Berkeley Hotel and the Empress Hotel, which has a popular pool that’s open all week.

Asbury Park offers plenty of classic Jersey Shore-style arts and entertainment, including the Asbury Splash Park and the Silverball Arcade Museum, which has hundreds of vintage pinball machines. The vintage Asbury Lanes bowling alley has been reborn with a new concert stage and a diner.

Since it first opened its doors in 1974, the legendary Stone Pony music club has been a centerpiece of the vibrant Asbury music scene, stoking the careers of Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and Steve Van Zandt.

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Every September, Asbury Park hosts the immersive Sea.Hear.Now festival of surfing, music and art on the beach and boardwalk. Another popular event is the annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk along the boardwalk in October.

For restaurants, Scheeler likes Porta for pasta and pizza, the Japanese-inspired Taka and Dolce Fantasia.

Many of the restaurants in town are what he calls “upscale casual—you can go there after the beach or out for dinner.”

Who Lives There

As of the 2020 census, the city’s population was 15,188.

“A good diversity of people come to visit and live here,” Scheeler said.

“We’re a city,” he said. “We have all different income levels here, which is one of the great things about living here. There is a great mix of people here, and that makes us different from some other Jersey Shore towns.”

Asbury Park also “has always had a thriving gay scene,” Kesling said. Even in the 1970s, the city had a number of gay bars and clubs.

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Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ rights organization, is headquartered on Main Street, and every June the city hosts a gay pride parade and celebration, the state’s largest. The city’s strong gay community “was a piece of it for us,” in deciding to move to Asbury full time, Scheeler said.

“Our feeder markets are primarily North Jersey and New York City,” he said. “They may have a large home in North Jersey and want a condo close to the beach, or it may be the other way around.”

“We also have people here who are snowbirds and go south for the winter,” he said.

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Notable Residents

Famous residents have included actors Danny DeVito and Vic Morrow, talk show host Wendy Williams, Bud Abbott of the Abbott and Costello comedy team, author Stephen Crane (“Red Badge of Courage”), and longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Edna Woolman Chase, according to published reports.

Outlook

“The real estate market is very strong, and there is very little inventory,” Kesling said.

“Asbury Park has become more and more year-round and more and more exclusive,” he said. “People are spending $500,000 to $1 million to restore houses. Asbury is now on par with Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach.”

The Covid-19 pandemic made Asbury Park more desirable, Kesling said. People can telecommute and “maybe go into the city one or two days a week.”

Scheeler agreed. “There is still tremendous value here for real estate and tremendous opportunities to own houses,” he said.

Unlike other nearby Jersey Shore towns like Belmar, where people may have a history of going there with their family or friends from college, “people are still discovering Asbury Park,” he said. “I don’t think everyone knows about us yet.”

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New Jersey

Our big list of things to do on Memorial Day in North Jersey

Published

3 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

Our big list of things to do on Memorial Day in North Jersey

While the season technically doesn’t start until June 20, Memorial Day marks the official start of summer in New Jersey. And, between parades, festivals, markets and more, there’s plenty of ways to start the season off right here in North Jersey.

So, if you haven’t quite figured out how you’d like to spend your Memorial Day weekend — besides just relaxing, which is a great option — we have some suggestions for you.

Here are three Memorial Day weekend events taking place in North Jersey, and a big list of other parades, commemorations and more.

L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival at Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus

Each year, L.E.A.D. — Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence — holds its annual carnival at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus. The event, which is open most days from May 23 to June 9, kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, making it the perfect place to celebrate the start of summer.

At the event, there will be amusements available like rides and carnival games, as well as an array of classic theme park foods like pretzels, popcorn, hot dogs, cheesesteaks and more. Plus, there will be live entertainment taking place during each night of the carnival. Admission to the carnival is $5 per person, and ride tickets must be purchased separately. MegaPasses are also available for $25 when purchased online, which include admission and unlimited rides from open until close during one day of the event.

Hours: 5 p.m. until close Wednesday through Friday, and 3 p.m. until close Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day.

Go: One Garden State Plaza, Paramus; theleadfest.com/events/garden-state-plaza.

The Ridgewood Run, Ridgewood

If you’re looking for a healthy and active start to the summer season, while also supporting some good causes, considering participating in The Ridgewood Run on Memorial Day.

The 47th year of this Memorial Day celebration, The Ridgewood Run has several family-focused activities throughout the day, including a 10K, 5K, the Ridgewood YMCA Kid’s Fun Run, a competitive mile and a mile community run. The event is also home to the Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10K, where some of the world’s fastest wheelchair athletes are set to compete.

The cost to signup for the event varies based on the type of run, and prices are discounted when you sign up online. And, proceeds from the event go towards supporting the Special Olympics of New Jersey, the Kessler Foundation, the Ridgewood YMCA and several other local organizations.

Go: Veterans Memorial Field, 156-158 Northern Parkway, Ridgewood; runsignup.com/race/NJ/Ridgewood/TheRidgewoodRace.

Hopatcong Monthly Market, Hopatcong

The Hopatcong Monthly Market is held on the last Sunday of each month from May through November. And, the first Sunday of the market’s season falls over Memorial Day weekend.

During the market, there will be an array of vendors available for you to explore, including farms, food vendors, crafters, artisans, artists, direct-sale vendors, local businesses, vintage dealers, non-profits, community groups and much more. The market is free to visit, pending any purchases from their unique vendors, of course.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month from May through November.

Go: 120 River Styx Road, Hopatcong; jjvendorevents.square.site/2024-hopatcong-monthly-market.

And, if that’s just not enough for you: Here’s a list of some other Memorial Day weekend activities in North Jersey:

Bergen County

Emerson

The Borough’s ceremony will be at 9 a.m. May 27 at Monument Park, across from Villano School. American Legion Post 269 and the Emerson Mayor and Council will honor and remember those members of the Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Light refreshments will be donated by Dunkin Donuts on Kinderkamack Road.

Fort Lee

The Annual Memorial Day Parade will be held at 10 a.m. May 27, beginning at the Jack Alter Community Center, 1355 Inwood Terrace. The parade will proceed north on Center Avenue, west on Main Street, then south on Anderson Avenue to the community center for a ceremony and refreshments. All residents are encouraged to join at the end of the parade to honor those who served our nation.

Glen Rock

The Memorial Day Commemoration will begin with opening remarks at the Rock at 10 a.m. on May 27, then proceed up Rock Road to the memorial at Borough Hall for the ceremony. Any groups wishing to march should form up on Concord beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Mahwah

The parade will be at 10 a.m. May 27 at Veterans Park.

Midland Park

The parade will be at 10 a.m. May 25, followed by a service at Veterans Plaza at 11 a.m.

Montvale, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake

The Tri-Boro Memorial Day Parade, 10:30 a.m. to noon May 27, will start at the Montvale Fire Department and end at the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department.

Oakland

A parade, followed by the American Legion ceremony in Veterans Park, will be May 26 starting at 1 p.m. After the ceremony, the legion will serve refreshments at its Post building on 65 Oak St.

Old Tappan

The parade on May 27 lines up at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of Northern Valley Old Tappan High School and step off at 9:30 a.m. It will end at Oakes Park on Central Avenue around 10:15, where a ceremony will be conducted. The ceremony will include parading the colors, the national anthem, invocation, the mayor’s address, a memorial wreath placement, a rifle salute and Taps.

In the event of inclement weather, the fire department siren will be sounded at 8:15 a.m. advising that the parade is canceled. In that event, the ceremony will be held in the Charles DeWolf School gym at 9:30.

Ridgefield

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on May 27 at the intersection of Route 5 and Elm Avenue, and will concludeat Veteran’s Memorial Park. All are invited to stay as the marching bands perform in front of the viewing stand. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Ridgefield Park

The annual service will take place at 11 a.m. May 27 at the Veterans Memorial, Mt. Vernon Street and Euclid Avenue.

River Edge

The Borough, American Legion Post 226 and VFW Post 876 will host a ceremony at 11 a.m. May 27 at the Veterans Memorial. The rain location is Roosevelt Elementary School. Headstone dedication: Senior Airman Elliott Goff.

Wallington

Participants will assemble at the Church of the Transfiguration on Hathaway Street at 9 a.m. on May 27. Members of the Pavlick Foster VFW Post 2640 will march at 9:30 a.m. along Union Boulevard to the Veterans Memorial (Hartmann/Tursik Veterans Plaza) for a service to begin at 10 a.m.

Wood-Ridge

A remembrance honoring our deceased military service men and women will be held on May 22 at 6 p.m. at the Walk of Freedom, located at the corner of Hackensack Street and Highland Avenue.

Essex County

Glen Ridge

On May 27, the Memorial Day Parade will assemble at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and Baldwin Street at 10:30 a.m. and at 11 a.m. will march to the memorial in front of the Ridgewood Avenue School where the traditional service of remembrance will be held. In the event of rain, the service will be held in the auditorium. Following the service, weather permitting, all residents are invited to the town picnic at the train station for food and amusements.

Montclair

Services will be held at Edgemont Memorial Park at 10 a.m. May 27. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors at the Montclair Municipal Building.

Millburn

Presented by the Township and American Legion Post 140, the parade will be at 11 a.m. May 27, from Millburn High School to Taylor Park. Write to administrator@millburntwp.org for information.

Morris County

Dover

The annual Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony will be held on May 27 at 10 a.m. The parade will march down Blackwell Street to Hurd Park where the ceremony will follow.

Kinnelon

Honor past, present and future soldiers at the Memorial Day Celebration on the Kinnelon Green at 10 a.m. May 27.

Long Hill

The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 27 at Main Avenue and Mercer Street, then proceed north to Central School, where there will be an observance. Local groups can contact the Recreation Department at recreation@longhillnj.gov or 908-647-8000 ext. 219 for information about joining the parade.

Mine Hill

There will be a ceremony and barbecue, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 27 at Veteran and First Responders Memorial Park, 12 Baker St., organized by the Mine Hill Community Committee. For information, contact 973-366-9031 ext. 6 or KWild@minehill.com.

Netcong

The American Legion parade will begin at 1 p.m. May 27 at Netcong Elementary School with a ceremony at Lake Musconetcong. The parade will proceed through Main Street in Stanhope and end at the A.L. post on Route 183 in Stanhope.

Parsippany

The parade will be held at noon May 27 on Route 202.

Rockaway Township

The parade at 11:30 a.m. May 27 will begin at Edith Drive and proceed down Fleetwood Drive to Mt. Hope Road, ending at McKinley Place.

Roxbury

The township will have its traditional Memorial Day parade and ceremony on May 27. Lineup for parade participants is at 9:15 a.m. at 25 Meeker St., Succasunna, and the parade starts at 10. The ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on the Horseshoe Lake Island begins at 11.

Stand along the parade route to cheer on the veterans. The parade starts at the corner of Meeker Street and Hillside Avenue in Succasunna (near Roosevelt School), travels south on Hillside, turns left onto Main Street, travels past the library and churches, turns right onto Eyland Avenue, crosses over Route 10, passes Eisenhower Middle School, enters the Horseshoe Lake recreation complex at 72 Eyland Ave., and ends at the War Memorial.

The ceremony at the War Memorial is presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2833 and the Township. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. In case of rain, check the Township’s website and Facebook page for announcements the morning of the event. If the parade is cancelled, the ceremony will still be held at 11 a.m. at the Horseshoe Lake picnic pavilion. In case of wind-driven rain, the ceremony will be inside the Senior Center.

Passaic County

Clifton

The Clifton Veterans Avenue of Flags will raise more than 2,100 flags on May 26 at 6 a.m. and lower them on May 27 at 6 p.m., weather permitting. Volunteers are needed for this tradition that honors those who served our country making the ultimate sacrifice. Visit cliftonnj.org search under “Avenue of Flags” to learn how to support this ongoing project.

The Fire Department memorial service will start the day at Firehouse 5, 8 a.m. May 27 at 51 Brighton Road. Led by the Clifton Mustang Band, the parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Valley Bank on Allwood Road, as Scouts, ROTC, baseball teams and Passaic County Sheriff’s officers proceed down Allwood Road. The parade will bear left at Market Street to Merrill Road and end at Chelsea Park, where the Allwood memorial service will be at 9:30. The city-wide ceremony will be at 11 at Main Memorial Park. At noon, the Military Order of Purple Heart service will take place at City Hall/Flag Barn. At 2 p.m., a service will be held at Athenia Veterans Post on Huron Avenue.

To donate to the Clifton Parade Committee, send a check payable to City of Clifton, earmarked for Clifton Parade Committee, to City of Clifton Parade Committee, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013.

Hawthorne

The Memorial Day service and parade will take place on May 27. Services begin at noon at Borough Hall, with the parade commencing at 1:30 p.m. from the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Rea Avenue.

Little Falls

On May 25 at 10 a.m., the American Legion Singac Post 108 and the Township of Little Falls will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade will start at the American Legion Post 108, 591 Main St. All participants will march down Main Street to Wilmore Road Park to complete the parade which will conclude around 11:15 a.m. After the parade, a ceremony at Wilmore Road Park hosted by the American Legion Singac Post 108 will take place to honor those who died while serving in the armed forces, with an expected start time of 11:30 a.m.

North Haledon

A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. May 25 at American Legion Post 428, 512 High Mountain Road. Co-sponsored by the North Haledon Mayor & Council and the Public Events Committee.

Pompton Lakes

The Amazing Bloomingdale Big Band will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. May 25 on the lawn of the Pompton Lakes Free Public Library, 333 Wanaque Ave., remembering our fallen veterans,

Sussex County

Andover Borough

A wreath ceremony will be held at May 27 at 9 a.m. at Andover Borough Park.

Hopatcong

A parade and celebration will be held at 10 a.m. May 25, rain or shine. The parade route will be from the Municipal Building, 111 River Styx Road, Hopatcong, to Veteran’s Field Memorial Park, 351 Flora Ave., Stanhope. A memorial celebration will follow. For information, call Roseann at 862-217-6938.

Montague

A service remembering and honoring all who served will take place at 11 a.m. May 27 , at the Township Community Center, 275 Clove Road.

Newton

A parade will take place on Spring Street on May 27 at 10 a.m., followed by a remembrance of fallen heroes at Memory Park. To participation in the parade, applications must be submitted to the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce by May 15. Visit newtontownhall.com for the application.

Stanhope

The Musconetcong American Legion Post 278 will be celebrate with a parade on May 27 at 1 p.m, with a ceremony to follow. The parade will begin at the Netcong School on College Road in Netcong and will end at the American Legion on Route 183 in Stanhope.

Stillwater

The Township’s Memorial Day Service will be at 10 a.m. May 27 at Veterans Memorial Park, Pond Brook Road, rain or shine. Honor and remember all those who have sacrificed and served our country to ensure our rights and liberties as Americans. All veterans are encouraged to participate. Call Lou at 862-268-3553 with questions.

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New Jersey

NJ nonprofit 'For the Love of Birds New Jersey' providing foster homes for neglected birds

Published

10 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Press Room

NJ nonprofit 'For the Love of Birds New Jersey' providing foster homes for neglected birds

ByTom Kretschmer

Friday, May 17, 2024 10:04PM

NJ nonprofit providing foster homes for neglected birds

A nonprofit based in New Jersey is providing foster homes for neglected or unwanted companion birds.

HOWELL TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) — A nonprofit based in New Jersey is providing foster homes for neglected or unwanted companion birds.

It’s all made possible thanks to their dedicated volunteers and network of foster homes.

Action News photojournalist Tom Kretschmer shows us what “For the Love of Birds New Jersey” is all about.

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New Jersey

New Jersey Chief Justice Decries Appellate Appointment Proposal

Published

17 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Press Room

New Jersey Chief Justice Decries Appellate Appointment Proposal

A proposal to strip New Jersey’s highest judge of the power to fill the appellate court benches would “delay justice and harm the public,” Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said in prepared remarks Friday.

The chief came out publicly against New Jersey Senate Democrats’ plan for a constitutional amendment that would give the governor appointment power over roughly 30 judges on the state appellate court, citing the potential for the same political-dealmaking delays that bog down lower-court appointments as his main concern.

“On the trial court level, for the decade from 2014 to 2023, judicial vacancies ranged from about 10 to …

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