New Asbury apartment building rises on the Wesley Lake shore next to the Beer Hall. It undoubtedly has parking. Paul Goldfinger photo. 6/17/21. ©
Asbury Park has always stood in relief against the staid idea of Ocean Grove. The early Grovers were fearful of the secular fun-driven A. Park. They were concerned that their people would be corrupted. A. Park was everything that OG was not about: fun, alcohol, pop music, theater, sex, tobacco, marijuana, pride parade, dancing, night life, and joy. A. Park was something that the Methodist preachers could rail against.
And today, the contrast is still evident, but for many Grovers, this tension is the best of both worlds. Today the movement leads from south to north; not visa versa. (including the Asbury directed free parkers–south to north.)
And the future will take Grover money, hearts and minds in a northern direction. For our secular populace—who cares? Have fun!!
But in the Grove we will become like A. Park at our North End. We will have a hotel (? with no alcohol) and more condominiums whose owners will adopt a lifestyle aimed at A. Park. And there will be more tourists and retail.
However, OG will be better if the hopes of those who love the town can push for those desired elements: family life, quiet, porch culture, a walking town, neighborliness, community, kids, small events like the film festival and the Peoples Garden Tour, wonderful music, historic preservation, crowd control, education, culture, sweetness and light.
The spirituality of the CMA’s mission is good for all, but only if they join with the secular Grover nation to achieve common goals.
This can’t be good for the CMA’s mission, but the CMA has offered its land anyhow. They wanted holiness and perfection…will the North End Redevelopment Plan give them that? Can they have it all?
ED NORTON From Woody’s film “Everyone Says I Love You.”