NJ Adds 22-Acre Property To Monmouth Battlefield State Park

MANALAPAN, NJ — The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) has acquired and preserved a 22-acre property as an addition to Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak said.

The NJ DEP's Green Acres Program purchased the property along Highway 33 in Manalapan, and adjacent to the Revolutionary War battlefield, from Monmouth Battlefield Flex, LLC for $15 million.

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Formerly a strawberry farm, the property features open fields and wooded trails and will be managed by New Jersey State Parks for future opportunities for public recreation, interpretation, education and research.

"The expansion to Monmouth Battlefield State Park is a fitting way to honor the birth of our nation and the ideals that unite us: democracy, freedom, and compassion," Potosnak said.

"This acquisition ensures that future generations will be able to walk the same fields that witnessed the courage and sacrifice of Revolutionary War soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth."

The purchase was made possible through Green Acres State Land Acquisition funding and Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund monies, officials said.

The Monmouth Conservation Foundation also assisted with early discussions with the property owner and supported the submission of the offer application to the Green Acres program.

Preservation Significance

In recognition of the nation's 250th anniversary this year, Acting Commissioner Potosnak highlighted over $130 million in ongoing restoration and visitor improvement projects at state-owned historic sites that have had pivotal roles in New Jersey and American history, spanning from the American Revolution through the Industrial Revolution and beyond.

Statewide, more than 30 projects are in various stages of work, from initial design to construction and final completion.

The land has historical significance for its ties to the crucial 1778 Battle of Monmouth, officials said.

Based on surveys and historical considerations, the property may have been used or traversed by troops during this engagement.

"New Jersey was the crossroads of the American Revolution, and we have a responsibility to preserve the places that tell the story of our nation's founding," said Senator Vin Gopal of New Jersey's 11th Legislative District.

"The Battle of Monmouth was a defining moment in the American Revolution, and adding these 22 acres to Monmouth Battlefield State Park will help preserve this important landscape and ensure future generations can experience, learn about and connect with history."

Monmouth Battlefield State Park

With this acquisition, Monmouth Battlefield State Park now encompasses 2,764 acres of land and preserves the site of one of the most significant battles of the American Revolution.

On June 28, 1778, General George Washington's Continental Army clashed with British forces under General Sir Henry Clinton in a pivotal engagement that demonstrated the growing strength and professionalism of American forces.

The battle, fought in scorching heat, was among the longest single-day engagements of the war and included the actions of Molly Pitcher, who legend holds helped crew an artillery piece after her husband fell in battle.

Today, the park encompasses historic farmlands and battlefield terrain, offering visitors hiking trails, a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, and regular historical programs and reenactments.

The park also serves as an outdoor classroom for understanding Revolutionary War history and preserving the landscape where American independence was forged.

"The Friends of Monmouth Battlefield are delighted to learn that this parcel will be added to Monmouth Battlefield State Park and that the farmland will be saved," said Friends of Monmouth Battlefield President Dr. David Martin.

"This important acquisition will help preserve for posterity the viewshed and environs of the park."

To learn more about New Jersey's State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites, you can visit stateparks.nj.gov