Park system welcomes 100 millionth visitor

More than 100 million people have visited Monmouth County's award-winning county parks as of June 19.

According to a press release from Monmouth County, Valerie Yannuzzi and her children Joey, 6, and Danielle, 3, were at Holmdel Park celebrating the end of the school year and the start of summer vacation when Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry and county Recreation Commission Chairman Edward Loud greeted Yannuzzi to tell her she was visitor number 100,000,000 to the Monmouth County Park System.

"I've never won anything before. This is a great honor considering that just today we discovered how fantastic Holmdel Park is!" Yannuzzi said. "Several of my friends have been raving about Holmdel Park for some time and this was the first chance we've had to visit. The playground is terrific; it's shaded, clean and safe. The big and small play areas make it perfect for my children and I can see them both no matter where they are on the playground."

Joey Yannuzzi said the best part of his day was "swinging from the monkey bars and playing outer space" on the playground.

Danielle Yannuzzi liked "eating ice cubes" and staying close to mom on the 90-degree day.

"Park staff knew that sometime in mid-June they would have welcomed a grand total of 100,000,000 visitors to all of the parks combined," Burry said. "Today was the day to mark the milestone and remind people to get out and enjoy the great blues and green of all the county parks. The Yannuzzi family was absolutely thrilled to have been recognized. They love the parks and this will be a great memory for Joey and Danielle."

In recognition of the milestone, the family received a commemorative Park Explorer Pack. The Monmouth County bag was filled with all kinds of ways to enjoy the county parks this summer: tickets to the Monmouth County Fair, camping at Turkey Swamp Park, a boat tour of the Manasquan Reservoir, a beach pass for Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park and more.

"People want to get outside, enjoy the open spaces and spend time with family and friends," Loud said. "While protecting Monmouth County's park, recreation and open space treasures, the Monmouth County parks provide an entertaining and educational outdoor experience for all visitors, and we are glad to have welcomed all these visitors over the past 45 years."

At the current pace of nearly five million visitors a year, the park system should welcome the 200 millionth visitor 20 years from now, according to the press release.

In 2006, the Monmouth County Park System drew a record total of 4,824,630 visitors. Holmdel Park is one of the oldest Monmouth County parks, established in 1962, with 2006 visitation at 790,303 people. Second in attendance is the Mana-squan Reservoir, Howell, (770,848 in 2006) and third is Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck, (679,877 in 2006).