Griffin Park — Monmouth Beach’s Playground
Generations of borough residents remember the spot as one where they came of age athletically — or tried and didn’t. For nearly 75 years, the borough park on Griffin Street along the banks of Manahasset Creek has been the town’s recreational heartbeat. It just received a major overhaul — MORE INFO.
The 8-acre park has played host to multitudes of athletic and recreational events and endeavors over the decades — with a very wide variety of abilities participating, but then, “everybody plays” at Griffin Park. I’ve always found it a peaceful place — somewhere to stop and quietly ponder things. I visit frequently.
Green to Go — New Griffin Park during major redevelopment by the borough, August 2024 (Monarch Photo). Prone to flooding even during mild weather and long in need of an upgrade, the borough has re-developed its only major park — across from the borough school. The $900,000+ project was backed with $400,000+ in state grants/funds, said Public Works Commissioner Tim Somers, who directed efforts for the borough. While some area homeowners expressed concern about making flood matters worse, the project was guided by longtime borough engineer, T&M Associates — which has already won several awards for its past work at Griffin Park.
According to borough legend Griffin Street and later the park were named after the Griffin family — well-connected Hudson County residents who summered in Monmouth Beach. Mayor Patrick “Paddy” R. Griffin, Hoboken’s Democrat boss from 1915 to 1926, was head of the family. He lived in an Ocean Avenue mansion.
The idea of a playground for students was first discussed in the early 1930s by borough commissioners. In the early 1940s, William Bradley, then a school board member, made a formal proposal for a riverfront park near the school. A 1948 school board plan to purchase several lots on the south side of Griffin Street were approved by just one vote. The price was $3,500. The school then installed a baseball field, basketball court, and playground equipment and the spot quickly became a beehive of activity.
In the 1950s, Jay W. Ross added value to the area when he developed property around Griffin Street. He bought land, which included 19 building lots and a paper road (later to be named Margaret Place in honor of his mother), for the staggering sum of $500. Except for the school, the area was largely a swamp off Manahasset Creek (which is an estuary of Pleasure Bay). Ross filled in much of the land and sold the new houses for $10,000 a piece (a monthly mortgage payment was $65).
The Monmouth Beach Recreation Commission was created in February 1967. The first members were: Chairman James Palumbo, Stanley Stigonis, Louis Sodano, Bruce Bradley, and Walter Burns. By October 1969, the school board had deeded the land off Griffin Street to the Recreation Commission.
First base line at Griffin Park ball field.
The agreement called for the area to be used only for recreation purposes and that students would have full access during school hours. Bruce Bradley, the son of William, was the school board’s first representative to the Recreation Commission and later on served as its chairman.
In June 1972, the baseball field at Griffin Park was dedicated in honor of Captain James R. Heimbold, the only borough resident to be killed in action in the Vietnam War. By the early 1970s, the school had given up all interests in Griffin Park to the borough in exchange for a large plot of land on the north side of the school.
James Palumbo, the first chairman of the Monmouth Beach Recreation Commission in 1967, pushed for grant dollars and other recreation initiatives like tennis. Thanks to his efforts and that of others, by March 1971 the borough commissioners had approved a $30,000 ordinance to further “outfit and improve Griffin Park.” This included two new tennis courts, two basketball courts, a paved parking lot, and landscaping.
As a sports locale the location on Manahasset Creek has been known to offer comfort (many can recall spectacular Saturday mornings) or discomfort (river winds can be brutal even in June). Baseball has been the park’s signature game and the most the well-known teams were the Falcons, Tidal Waves and Royals (and loyalties remain today for many former players). Memorable coaches have included Bruce Bradley, Jack and Phil Kuhlthau, Tom McHugh, Larry Brower and Dick Keller. John Farrell, who managed the Boston Red Sox to the 2013 World Series championship and complied a notable career as a MLB pitcher, got his start in Griffin Park.
“People who can’t find time for recreation sooner or later find time for illness.”
—John Wanamaker
Down through the years, the MB Fire Company softball team has been outstanding on these playing fields. The volunteer firefighters Sunday morning team has won more than two dozen league championship since the early 1970s, including several undefeated seasons. The team just won another league title in August 2024.
In July 1976, Griffin Park hosted many activities in celebration of America’s Bicentennial. In the 1980s, Bruce Bradley (by then a borough commissioner) and Mayor Lou Sodano used borough and Green Acres funds to enlarge the park, converting marshland into expanded and usable recreation grounds. A boat ramp at the end of Tocci Avenue was also added.
In 1985 the park was upgraded; backed with $300,000 in state DEP funds. Under designs by borough engineers T&M Associates, the shoreline park was made more handicap accessible and a multi-purpose field, gazebo with river view, and picnic grounds and tables were added. The park work earned “best in the state” design honors from three separate organizations.
In 2006, new restrooms were constructed and the four tennis courts were improved. In 2019, the recreation commission along with borough resident Courtney Wladyka helped raise $250,000 to fund a new “state-of-the-art” playground at the riverfront park.
Ground Under Repair — Griffin Park aerial image, May 2024. (David Booth Photo).
Another Look — Griffin Park under reapair, May 2024 (David Booth Photo).
Griffin Park along Manahasset Creek aerial image, June 2023 (David Booth Photo).
By the Creek — Griffin Park aerial image, January 2024 (David Booth Photo).
Take Me Back — in this fabo image on Hastings Place note the borough school (r) and the church (l), 1950s.
Award-Winning Spot — Griffin Park waterside gazbo, April 1987. In the late 1980s, the borough made a major upgrade to Griffin Park and some important folks took notice. The project which proved to be an award- and people-magnet was drafted by T&M Associates — the borough’s engineering consultants for over 50 years. The rebuilt 8-acre park won the Robert B. Kinsey Memorial Award for Design Excellence (1987), the NJ Society of Municipal Engineers Recreation Project of the Year (1986), and the Charles M. Pike Annual Achievement Award for Park & Recreation facilities (1987). Richard M. Schulz and Richard T. Noble formed T&M Associates in 1966. The Middletown-based civil engineering firm still serves the borough today — MORE INFO.
Over Ahead — Griffin Park, 2017 (Frank E. Snead Photo).
Manahasset Creek aerial image, August 2023 (Dave Booth Photo).
Griffin Park and Manahasset Creek aerial image, April 2004 (Owen Layden Photo).
Griffin Park aerial image, 2018.
Future Star — Monmouth Beach Tidal Waves Little League team including John Farrell (back row, sixth from the left), 1973. A borough native, John pitched in the major leagues for 8 seasons and managed the Boston Red Sox to a 2013 World Series championship.
Griffin Park nearing dusk, 2018 (Frank Snead Photo).
Baseball field at Griffin Park, 2017.
Griffin Park, 2017.
The park is named for Patrick R. Griffin. Here is his massive seashore cottage on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s. Starting out tending bar, “Paddy” Griffin would rule Hoboken politics for over a decade as its Democrat mayor until 1926. He died in January 1931 at age 53.
Griffin Park boat ramp into Manahasset Creek.
Griffin Park east baseball field, 2017.
Dugout at Griffin Park east ball field, 2017.
Griffin Park west ball field, 2017.
Griffin Park ball field area flooded, 2018.
The Monmouth Beach-American Bicentennial Celebration “3-Legged Race” was held at Griffin Park, July 1976.
New playground at Griffin Park, 2019.
Griffin Park ball field upgrades get going, December 2021. Improvements included new Pickle Ball courts and a micro-soccer field.
It isn’t always fun and games in Griffin Park. Superstorn Sandy wasn’t kind, October 2012.
Boy Scouts tend to an Osprey’s nest in Griffin Park, 2017.
Set sun at Griffin Park, Fall 2022.
Manhasset Creek viewed from Griffin Park, 2017.
More MB Sports Shots …
Monmouth Beach Falcons, 1970. The Little League team was coached by John Schulz (l) and Harold Murphy (r)
The “Monmouth Beach Fillies” young married women’s baseball team, June 1949. Among the lady players were: Pat Eager, Leona Woolley, Myrtle Marsh, Pat Dombroski, May Peterson, Mary Johnson, Martha Schulz, Virginia Woolley, Bernie Malley, Anita Maney, Marie Woods, Margaret Congdon, and Doris McConville. They’re playing at Griffin Park; note the school in the background.
Mayor Sidney Johnson and Falcon Coach Bob Johnson with players are set to start the baseball season in Monmouth Beach, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach Falcons, 1960s.
Monmouth Beach Little League team, 1962.
Monmouth Beach baseball team, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach Little League team, 1962.
Monmouth Beach Little League team, 1962.
Monmouth Beach Cap League team, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach Royals, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach Cap League team, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach Royals baseball team, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach Falcons, 1976. Larry Brower (in red shirt) coached this borough Little League team. The ballplayer at far right in front is Jason Garrett, the former Offensive Coordinator for the NFL’s New York Giants and former Head Coach of “America’s Team” — the Dallas Cowboys. Jason has Monmouth Beach roots, his parents Jim and Jane, raised eight children in town. His dad’s 50-year NFL career included stints as defensive coordinator for the NY Giants and a longtime Dallas Cowboys scout. He died in February 2018. Born in 1966, Jason also played QB for the Cowboys and the Giants and starred at Princeton University. In 2010, he became the Cowboy’s Head Coach where he built a solid record — winning three NFC East division titles and posting a 85-67 record. Jason was a favorite of the Cowboy’s billionaire owner Jerry Jones right up until his dismissal in 2019. He was the Giants Offensive Coordinator until 2021. For 2022, Jason is broadcasting Notre Dame college football games for NBC-TV.
Monmouth Beach Falcons, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach Falcons, early 1970s.
Monmouth Beach girl’s softball team, 1970s.
Monmouth Beach lacrosse players, 2018.
Monmouth Beach Falcons in the Tri-City Little League, 1964. Coached by Harold Topp.
Ed Carlton League team from Monmouth Beach, 1970. Coached by Bruce Bradley and Ray Dougherty.
Monmouth Beach Seahawks baseball team, 1950s.
Proud to have watched (and assistant coached) my children there. Another great story about our awesome town, Greg. Thank you.
My dad Ray Dougherty was a Tidal Wave coach right thru Ed Carlton leagues with my brother, Kevin, and all kids his age: Brian O’ Halloran, Jackie Mahoney, Jim and Billy Morton, Billy Barham, and lots more also.
I played on the original Tidal Wave team c. 1962. The Falcons also formed that year. MB only fielded one team in prior years. To the best of my recollection original teammates were Kevin, Paul Kleiberg, John Rendon, Jim Donnelly, Don Prout, Eddie Koch, Bob West, Richard Holmes, John Peterson, Steve Rose, Ron Gaarder, and myself. Hope I didn’t miss anybody. Brian was a teammate later on.
Mr. Donnelly was the original coach with Mr. Prout assisting. Your dad became second coach in a year or two with Mr. Van Wagner assistant coach. Some of us reunited to play for MB in the over 40 men’s league when we were about 60 — Kevin, Jim D, John P, Brian, Billy Morton, and myself with a cameo appearance by Jim Morton.
Our team was “age adjusted” very good … horrible in absolute terms. Lots of fun though.
Bud Van Wagner was a teammate later on and possibly on the original team. Nicky Chakolos (sp?) may also have been on the original team.
Fingers crossed for an updated playground there in the near future! Thanks for sharing!