Locals Already Enjoying New Docks, Boat Launch At Swimming River Park

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The newest park in the Monmouth County Parks System opened Monday morning — and the public was already out enjoying it before the scissors could even be whipped out for a ribbon cutting.

The park is Swimming River Park on West Front Street, technically in Middletown but overlooking Red Bank, the Swimming River and the Navesink beyond.

"This is light years better than what was here before!" exclaimed Middletown mom Lauren Kelly, who came to check out the new park with her husband, Rob Kelly, and children Monday morning.

The family lives in the River Plaza section. They were joined by neighbor Bettina Lam; she too came to see the new park with her toddler son.

The new 18-acre park is where Chris' marina/Chris' deli used to be located for years. It was basically just a big empty lot, full of broken bottles and not safe to walk on, said the Middletown residents. There was also no way for the public to access the river.

How that has changed:

Today, Monmouth County unveiled two floating docks it built so the public can access the river, where kids can sit to crab or fish and from which to launch kayaks and canoes. The county also built walking paths all around the park. There are plans in Summer 2024 to have a canoe and kayak rental business open up there. The public may be able to store kayaks on site; Monmouth County is still deciding that. Permanent restrooms and a visitors' center will be coming in 2024, as well.

The Monmouth County Parks System is planning several kayak and canoe programs for this new park in July and August. Details on these programs are available in the upcoming summer issue of the Park System’s Parks & Programs Guide, available in county parks starting May 5.

"There were plans to build 300 condos on this property," said County Commissioner Tom Arnone. "It would have been a disaster."

"It would have been a tragedy," agreed former Middletown Committeeman Tony Fiore. He is also vice chairman of the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners. "Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what I see here today."

Fish you can catch off the new Swimming River docks: Striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, summer flounder, bunker, blue crabs and more.

The park also boasts scenic views of the Swimming River and Red Bank. Parkgoers can stroll along the ¼-mile paved trail and look for wildlife. Birders can spot egrets, blue herons, belted kingfisher and yes, even bald eagles.

“This is a big win for Monmouth County. This project prevented development and preserved open space,” said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry. “It is truly amazing to see the partnerships that occur and the results that follow; we already see residents out here enjoying this park.”

It was a grand opening celebration from Monmouth County officials, who shared how it has taken since 2006 to open this park. For years now, the county has been privately negotiating with the family that owned the Chris' marina property.

"It was some tough negotiating at times," revealed Arnone. "This is now one of our signature parks in Monmouth County, but we did not get here without some difficulties. They were tough negotiators."

Chris’ Deli opened on April 1, 1949, run by Anne DeFilippo. Prior to it being a deli, it was a barbershop and a gas station. The deli was a local mainstay and employed many from the community. Chris’ River Plaza Marina opened in 1956 and was operated by Chris DeFilippo.

In total, Monmouth County paid $4.6 million to buy the land and turn it into a park. Monmouth County also just recently purchased ownership of the little blue house next to the park, and will be tearing it down to build a boathouse and restrooms. Expect that to come in Phase 2 in 2024.

Although locals say they have "begged" the county for it, there are no plans to put a playground in at the park.

However, boaters can take their trailered boats to the park’s new 30-foot wide boat ramp or launch smaller, cartop vessels from the beach launch area. Information on how to purchase daily and seasonal launch passes is available on the Park System’s website www.MonmouthCountyParks.com.

Initial Patch report in February: Monmouth Co. Considering Kayak/Canoe Rentals At Swimming River Park