Click to enlarge the map of Asbury Park.

South at the border in A. Park. Paul Goldfinger photo September, 2014. Click to enlarge.

Grovers visit a farmers market in the Carousel building in A. Park, Paul Goldfinger photo. ©

The connection between Ocean Grove and Asbury Park has never been stronger since AP has turned the corner in becoming a meaningful destination for Grovers.  More and more of us are walking, biking or driving over there to see an art house movie, to experience fine or casual dining, to attend a Pride parade, to hear a lecture at the Stephen Crane house, to find furnishings at a variety of thrift shops, to buy fresh produce at the Farmer’s markets,  to enjoy al fresco meals overlooking the Ocean, to hear concerts or attend film festivals at the Paramount. They have events there which Ocean Grove would never do such as the Zombie Walk or live jazz on the beach—great fun and excitement.

The town of A. Park has a history which gives it character–it has a heritage that stems from the African-American experience plus new ethnic influences such as the Mexican culture scene.  Then there is the gay community which brings innovation, life, art, and imagination to the town…and they back it with their desire to own  homes there. Many have brought back historic houses, and not only on the east side of the tracks.

New condominium projects provide parking and often stunning architectural designs. The art scene is coming around including not only galleries, but every-man style murals outdoors  for all to enjoy. Festivals and special events bring crowds.

Sure there are problems such as the spillover of people and cars into the Grove due to crowding over there.  And the parking issues bring new meaning to the park in Asbury Park’s name.  It seems that AP needs to keep a steady hand on the tendency of developers to over build, threatening light and space and air for the neighborhoods, especially near the Ocean.

So for those of you who are not familiar with the geography, find us on the map and then learn the way around, especially where our two towns meet and merge.  From our point of view, trying to preserve our quaint historic small town, we need to protect our community from becoming Asbury Park south at our North End.  We need to take care to keep our side of the divide the way we like it while enjoying complimentary excursions north to the exciting wild side.

And hopefully the A. Parkers will discover a respite,  a quietude, and a unique culture when visiting our side of the lake.  They will find new experiences and discoveries and even relief  in Ocean Grove.   At its best, we will  seek strengths as each community complements the other.

DIONNE WARWICK: