1. Overview of Aberdeen Township and Its Waterfront

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1 Aberdeen 1. Overview of Aberdeen Township and Its Waterfront 1.1 Geographic Overview Aberdeen Township is a suburban township with a land area of 5.45 square miles, with about 2 miles of shoreline along the Raritan Bay. This township is the northernmost town in Monmouth County bordering Middlesex County and also borders the towns of Matawan, Marlboro, Holmdel, Hazlet and Keyport. The township has convenient access to the Garden State Parkway and local highways, as well as commuter rail service to New York City. It is a suburban township containing a mix of residential, light industry and shopping centers. Sections of the Township include: Cliffwood, Cliffwood Beach, Freneau, Oakshades, River Gardens, Strathmore and Woodfield. The township is about 20 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport and about 30 miles from New York City. (Coordinates: Latitude: N, Longitude: W) 1.2 Demographics The 2000 Census reports the Township s population as 17,454. Population has increased 338.2% since It increased most rapidly during the 1960s (140.2%). More recently, there was a decline in growth rate during the 1970s (-2.5%) and the 1980s (-1.1%); with pending new development planned for the township, an increase is likely to occur. The racial composition is 78.8% White (Non-Hispanic), 12% Black, 9.2% Asian and other, and 7% of Hispanic Origin. 1

In 2000, the median household income was $68,125. The total number of housing units was 6,542, of which 4,591 are owner-occupied and 1,423 renter occupied. 92.3% of the housing stock is pre-1990.

2 In 2000, the median household income was $68,125. The total number of housing units was 6,542, of which 4,591 are owner-occupied and 1,423 renter occupied. 92.3% of the housing stock is pre The median mortgage was at $1,529. The median rental cost was $817. The median home value was at $160,800. The occupations of the residents include management, professional and related occupations at 42.2%, sales and office occupations at 28.9%, service occupations at 11.9%, production, transportation and material moving occupations at 10.1%, construction, extraction and maintenance occupations at 6.9%, and.1% in farming, fishing and forestry occupations. The top three industries in the Township are: educational, health, and social services with 17.4%; professional, scientific, management, administrative and waster management services with 13.7%; and, retail trade with 11%. 1.3 Historical Overview and Traditional Waterfront Uses Aberdeen Township came into existence as a separate entity in 1977 when the residents of Matawan Township voted to change the name of the Township in order to establish a community identity separate from the Borough. Aberdeen was formerly called Matawan Township and was part of Matawan Borough, which in 1964 established the Council-Manager form of government, commonly referred to as Faulkner of government. Residents voted to call their community Aberdeen Township. Of the seven sections that comprise Aberdeen Township, Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach are the areas with some traditional waterfront uses. Historically being more of traditional agricultural community, the township s traditional waterfront uses seem tied to its surrounding neighboring municipalities like Matawan Borough, Middletown, and others which are connected to more navigable waters. Aberdeen s sections of Cliffwood (07721) and Cliffwood Beach (07735) are north of Matawan Creek. They are tight little communities of curving, tree-lined streets, and homes that have not seen the 2

3 gentrification that has swept other sections, such as Freneau, Oakshades, River Gardens, Strathmore and Woodfield. In the early 1800s, the area around Matawan Creek was primarily agricultural land and the waterway was used as a route by farmers to get to Raritan Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean for shipping goods. By the mid-1800s, this area became a manufacturing town and a resort area. In the late 19th Century into the early 20 th Century, Cliffwood Beach had dance halls and a casino on its boardwalk. Ferries and boats once transported people for weekend get-aways and summer vacationing, especially for Saturday night entertainment and dancing. During the 1920's a beach resort community was established in the Cliffwood Beach section. This resort atmosphere changed after World War II when post-war housing boom occurred that transformed the resort housing in the area into year-round homes. Evidence of the beach bungalow style structures still exists throughout Cliffwood Beach and most, if not all, have been adapted and expanded to accommodate year-round dwelling. Additionally, as a result of hurricanes, the boardwalk and everything on it was destroyed right around the time the Parkway was created in the 1950s. With the opportunity to travel elsewhere by car, the area never recovered. Today, the township is mainly comprised of suburban residences, light industry and shopping centers. 3

Notably, Aberdeen has established critical areas and critical ordinances in its 1968 Wetlands Rule. Twenty-five acres of land in the township has been designated as environmentally critical.

4 2. Waterfront Use 2.1 Summary of Waterfront Aberdeen Township has a few marinas, recreational waterfront parks, and Cliffwood Beach. The remaining waterfront areas are predominantly Photo of the beach at Cliffwood Beach undeveloped floodplains and wetlands. Notably, Aberdeen has established critical areas and critical ordinances in its 1968 Wetlands Rule. Twenty-five acres of land in the township has been designated as environmentally critical. The Cliffwood Beach waterfront is an isolated area along dunes, which are protected. As for waterfront use, the 5 ft. to 12 ft. channel depth and the fixed bridge limit the use, navigability and potential of developing this waterfront area. This fixed bridge is where the infamous series of shark attacks took place in the Additionally, near the beach portion of Cliffwood Beach, a sea-wall (pictured to the right) exists to buffer the area from the harsh storms. Photo of portion of sea wall at Cliffwood Beach 4

5 2.2 Waterfront Access Sites: Publicly recognized sites Common Name/Facility Cliffwood Beach Center Cliffwood Beach Aberdeen s Veterans Memorial Park Cliffwood Beach Sea Wall Address/ Location GPS Raritan and Ocean Boulevards Lakeshore Drive/Beach Fishing Private Marina Public Marina Trailered Launch Hand Launch Passive Recreation Birdwatching Swimming Parking Handicapped Accessible Picnic Facilities Food Concessions Restroom Facilities Fee X X X X X X X X X front X X X X X Lakeshore Drive X X X X Next to the Beachfront X X X Informally used and accessible None Others None Private Propety Private Homes along Shore Wall Along Sea Wall Blue Rock Cafe X X X X X Wagner Marina 483 Amboy Road X X X 5

Cliffwood Beach Center is a park located on Raritan and Ocean Boulevards. The park has a recreation center with kitchen facilities, basketball courts and a playground area for children.

6 Cliffwood Beach Center is a park located on Raritan and Ocean Boulevards. The park has a recreation center with kitchen facilities, basketball courts and a playground area for children. Private parties can rent the facility. It can accommodate small groups of 65 persons or less. Cliffwood Beach s Beach: The beach in Cliffwood beach (picture left below) is located along located along Lakeshore Drive and the beach front. It has a somewhat paved parking lot (picture right below). The Aberdeen Veterans Memorial Park is located near the beach on Lakeshore Drive. It has a paved parking lot, two basketball courts, swings, and an in-line hockey rink. 6

A few private homes are found along the sea wall portion of Cliffwood Beach.

7 The Sea Wall next to the beach in Cliffwood Beach is about a half mile in length. The sea wall was erected in an attempt to reduce beach erosion and wave impact, and serves as a means to deal with shoreline erosion. A few private homes are found along the sea wall portion of Cliffwood Beach. However, the street and beach area connecting to the sea wall provide open public access to the area, and the sea wall doubles as a popular fishing spot. Still, there are no docks, no public launches, and the sea wall looked as if it needs some maintenance. Private Luxury Homes along the sea wall portion of Cliffwood Beach. Blue Rock Café is a casual dining restaurant (pictured below). 7

8 Wagner s Marina is located at 483 Amboy Road in Cliffwood Beach, NJ. It is a full service marina and boat sales facility. It has over 200 boat slips. It is accessible via Raritan Bay to Matawan Creek. 3. Waterfront Issues and Planning Initiatives 3.1 Waterfront Issues As is the case with many municipalities, Aberdeen Township is poised for redevelopment and seeks to preserve portions of its Bayshore waterfront. The waterfront area and surrounding area, which consist of wetlands and flooplains, in the township are in Planning Area 5, which is noted as being environmentally sensitive in the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. According to information from the Bayshore Watershed Regional Council, Aberdeen has rezoned sections of their town for conservation/recreation, including approximately 25 acres along Matawan Creek. This action will help guide away from these areas those development projects that might have a large impact on the physical environment. The township also has a conservation plan for its tidal and inland wetlands, as well as stream banks. The Zoning Maps mark a majority of the waterfront area as CR (Conservation). 3.2 Planning Initiatives There are plans in the Freneau area of Aberdeen Township for age-restricted housing, but this is not located in the Bayshore waterfront area. The proposed plans are to build an 800 unit development within an area of 150 acres of undeveloped forest. There are also 8

9 plans for a Commerce and Transportation Center Redevelopment Area; this too is located away from the waterfront area, near the train station. In the River Gardens section of the township, a Riverside Recreational Facility by Matawan Creek and Riverdale Road has been proposed. The Township purchased the property under an open space preservation program in The vision for the site is for passive recreation although features such as a bulkhead, a basketball court, children s playground, picnic area and gazebo are also being considered. A boat-launch ramp will likely not be incorporated into the project due to township liability issues. 4. Summary Overall, the township s Bayshore waterfront area is quite accessible by car, with some parking and signage. Although there are a few luxury homes near the Sea Wall portion of Cliffwood Beach, the street and beach area connecting to the Sea Wall provide open public access to the area. Still, there are no docks, no public launches, and the Sea Wall looked as if it needs some maintenance. As Aberdeen Township proceeds with its redevelopment it will be interesting to reassess initiative, plans and progress to see how its mix of conservation and redevelopment are integrated. References Census 2000 (Township of Aberdeen) Aberdeen Township Master Plan, May USGS, Satellite Photograph: Aberdeen- Matawan ( Mark Coren, Township Manager, Interview (January 13, 2004). Adeline Arnold, Guided Tour of Cliffwood Beach (January 13, 2004). 9

Hazlet. 1. Overview of Hazlet and Its Waterfront. Hazlet Township. 1.1 Geographic Overview

Hazlet. 1. Overview of Hazlet and Its Waterfront. Hazlet Township. 1.1 Geographic Overview Hazlet 1. Overview of Hazlet and Its Waterfront 1.1 Geographic Overview Hazlet Township is located in Monmouth County. The Township has a land area of 5.6 square miles. Situated in the Bayshore region