Simple Summer: Rumson Mom-Daughter Beach Walk Bonding

It’s summertime and the living is filled with typical summer activity — and not-so-typical. We’re in the midst of a heatwave.

A lot of people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area have predictable seasonal habits — like vacationing, beach clubbing, beachfront partying, fine dining … any number of things.

Then there are others who have opted to take the opportunity to do some charitable work or just simply take some quality time with the kids — one-on-one.

We ran into RFH grad Daryl Cooper Ley and senior-to-be daughter Becca set to take a mom-daughter stroll on the Sea Bright beach for what mom said was some “overdue quality-time walking and talking.”

Nice. Do you like to keep it simple in the summer? What’s your simple summertime activity? Tell us and/or send a pic to [email protected].

See you around the towns! Enjoy!

Fair Haven: DeNormandie Park Stalled

There’s been a bit of a delay in bringing one long-awaited passive riverfront park to Fair Haven.

That park is the one slated for the foot of DeNormandie Avenue where the historic Williams/Robards estate sat until April.

After its demolition then, officials figured it wouldn’t take all that long to clear the lot of demolition debris and unhealthy trees before the landscaping plans started to take hold.

Then there was an unforeseen shortage of help in the borough’s Department of Public Works to bring that (clearing and leveling) phase of project to a timely fruition.

“DPW was a little off track on the progress with the park,” Mayor Ben Lucarelli said. “The reason for that was that they have been short on help in the department. There have since been new hires, so they should be able to get back on track.”

In the meantime, people are free to stroll onto the beach by the river there and, when the fencing is removed, they may walk on the property that will eventually house the passive park.

The mayor went on to say that the landscaping plan is well in the works and its implementation will soon follow with the tree removal, turfing and then landscape architecture and finishing touches.

All told, the mayor said, it will realistically take up to another two years to see the completed park with finishing touches.

“We have to wait for the next grant cycle,” Lucarelli said. “We will probably go for a Monmouth County Open Space Grant. We have to close out other grants first and make certain there’s nothing else in the works. If we decide that this project is a priority for the next cycle, it could be done by next spring or so.

“If we get in on the next cycle, it would be another year. But that would be for the full flushing out of the park and all the amenities (such as the landscaping, benches, walkways). The trees (that the arborist decides may be taken) will come down next. It’s clear enough to take a walk on for now and enjoy, though.”

That final phase of  the plan will include a plaque commemorating the significance of Williams family and its Robards descendants and the site.

Charles Williams, a freed African-American slave, built the house on the land that was deeded to him and his family.

Winifred Robards, the last in the family line to live in the home that fronted the Navesink River, was known to invite children to play on her property. She told many that she wanted them to enjoy the riverfront location and it was her wish that the land, when she left, be preserved with public access for all to enjoy.

Taxpayers contributed roughly $200,000 to the acquisition of the $1.2 million swath of land. The remainder of the money to purchase it came from state, county and non-profit grants — all of which were contingent upon a commitment to eternally preserve the land as open space.

— Elaine Van Develde/photos and story

Police Report Marijuana Possession, Dealing, Heroin Arrests & More

The following recent arrests were made and reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Mackenzie Killeen, 23, and Samatha Lupino, 24, both of Middletown, were arrested on July 23 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue for and charged with possession of a CDS (heroin) and possession of a hypodermic syringe by Patrolman Shane Dengel.

• Jahvon Wells-Bailey, 27, of Keansburg, was arrested on July 16 in the area of River Street and charged with possession of a CDS (under 50 grams of marijuana), possession of a CDS with intent to distribute and possession of a CDS within 1,500 feet of a park or public housing by Patrolman Nicholas Maletto.

 

• Devin Dimartini, 19, of Lincroft, was arrested on July 20 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana by Patrolman Jorge Torres.

Continue reading Police Report Marijuana Possession, Dealing, Heroin Arrests & More