Freehold, NJ

Located in Monmouth County, Freehold Township claims to be "Western Monmouth's Family Town." Freehold consists of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township, with Freehold Borough representing the central downtown region. The area has a population of more than 34,000, with about a third in the borough area.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

For more than two centuries, Downtown Freehold has been the central gathering place for Western Monmouth County. Located in Freehold Borough, downtown is home to a bustling main street composed of many buildings dating back to the 1800s. Notable downtown landmarks include the American Hotel, built in 1824, where Abraham Lincoln once visited; the St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Freehold's oldest building built in 1683; and the old cemetery.

The city is both historic and diverse. Quaint Victorian houses sit side by side with posh eateries and antique galleries. There are 3,800 houses in Freehold with about 3,700 occupied. Out of those, about 60 percent are owner-occupied.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

About 77 percent of Freehold employees work in the private sector, while 12 percent work for the government, and about 4 percent work for themselves. Freehold has an unemployment rate of 7.0 percent. About 12 percent of the population in Freehold is below the poverty line.

Many of the area's largest employers are from the health care sector, including CentraState Medical Center, Center for Aging, and Iverness Medical Nutritional Group. CentraState Medical Center is Freehold's main hospital. CentraState has been a teaching hospital since 2005 and offers health awareness, fitness, rehabilitation, and diagnostic centers. It also oversees several senior assisted living facilities, including Applewood Estates, Monmouth Crossing, and The Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Other major employers include Verizon, Nordstrom, and the Asbury Park Press/Garnett Industries.

FAMILY FUN

The Department of Parks and Recreation offers residents a number of programs throughout the year. Additionally, the community offers the Challenger Program, which teaches children with disabilities how to play various sports.

• Turkey Swamp Park is a large nature park with a fishing lake as well as walking trails, playgrounds, soccer fields, and several picnic areas. In the summer months, visitors can rent canoes, paddleboats, kayaks, and rowboats. It's also equipped with wooded campsites and electric service. From spring to fall, campers can enjoy camping with hot showers and laundry facilities. In the winter, the frozen lake becomes an ice-skating arena.
• Monmouth Battlefield State Park is a step back into history. This park is on the site of the 1778 Battle of Monmouth. It is also the location of Craig House, a Civil War-era farmhouse. This visitor center is on Combe Hill, which was once commanded by the Continental Army artillery.
• Michael J. Tighe Park is home to the Splash Pool and Splash Pad. It also offers basketball and tennis courts, a playground, baseball/softball and soccer fields, a hockey rink, a fitness trail, picnic areas, and an activity center.
• East Freehold Showground encompasses 81 acres of land. These grounds are used for horse and dog shows, among other community events.
• Henry Hudson Trail winds through Freehold and is a paved trail intended for walking, jogging, or biking.

EDUCATION

• American Schools of Business offers various programs for real estate and real estate related careers. Courses are offered on-site and online.
• Brookdale Community College, a two-year school offering associates degrees, has a partnership with Rutgers University, allowing students to ultimately earn a bachelor's degree from Rutgers.

EVENTS

• Monmouth County Fair is held annually at the East Freehold Showground and features the work of the local 4-H club as well as games, activities, entertainment, and food.
• Concert and Movie in the Park provides live entertainment, movies, children's rides, and fireworks.
• Golf Classic is a community charity event that, for 35 years, has been raising money for community programs and activities.
• Annual Holiday and Trimming Party, hosted by the Freehold Township Heritage Society, rings in the holidays.
• My Lady's Heritage Tea is hosted by the Freehold Township Heritage Society. This event is open to members and non-members of the society, though reservations are required.
• Spring and Fall Fests are sponsored by the Freehold Township Heritage Society. They feature farmhouse tours, weaving and wool spinning demonstrations, face painting, civil war reenactments, an art show, and 4-H events.

BEST BETS

• Freehold Raceway is the home of harness racing August through May. Established in 1853, this half-mile track is the oldest in the United States. The track also offers simulcast races.
• September 11 Memorial was created to honor the men, women, and children affected by the events of 9/11/2001. The base of this memorial is a pentagon shape with twin towers on top. Planted around the statue is Pennsylvania's State flower.
• Forman House, an Italian-style home, was built in 1860 in the Forman neighborhood.
• Oakely House dates to 1686 and has been operating as a museum since 1911. Historical evidence suggests that this was a safe house on the Underground Railroad.
• West Freehold School House was built in 1848 and operated as a school until 1937.
• Georgia Road School House was in operation from 1735 to 1956.

SHOPPING

Freehold Raceway Mall offers 1.5 million square feet of upscale shopping, including Macy's, Nordstrom, and Lord & Taylor.

SPORTS TEAMS

Freehold Township Senior League is community adult baseball team and won the Senior League World Series in 2004.

LOCAL MEDIA

• WMCA 570 AMReligious
• WQEW 1560 AMChildren's
• WADB 1310 AMNostalgia

• WXRK 92.3 FMRock
• WJLK 94.3 FMHot AC
• WHTZ 100.3 FMTop-40
• WQCD 101.9 FMJazz
• WKTU 103.5 FMDance
• WWPR 105.1 FMHip Hop
• WCAA 105.9 FMSpanish
• WHTG 106.3 FMAlternative