Mayor Town Council Departments Township Clerk Police Committees Forms Home Parks Home/Departments/Department of Recreation/Parks Tuskegee Airmen Park Located at the end of Richard Drive, a.k.a. Tuskegee Airmen Drive, just past the Manchester Middle School on Route 571 is the first township park to be dedicated to a select group of veterans. What started out as the renovation of the Richard Estates Playground in 2004 became Tuskegee Airmen Park, honoring a black fighter unit in the Army Air Corps that served with much merit during World War II. The park contains two basketball courts, three playground pieces for all age groups & spring-mounted airplanes, a picnic area, a stamped-concrete entryway, a stone monument and other amenities, with the park surrounded by post and rail fencing. Street parking is available adjacent to the park. POW-MIA Memorial Park Formerly referred to as the Johnson Avenue Field, POW-MIA Memorial Park was constructed in 2006, and is located on Johnson Avenue, one block from Route 571 at the end of Nicoletti Road. The Township decided to name the park POW-MIA Memorial Park to honor Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action from all wars, and to serve as a standing tribute to those men and women who never returned home after honorably serving their country. The park includes a fenced-in softball field with bleachers & dugouts, a basketball court, a new playground, a picnic area, a stamped-concrete reflection area with a painted stone monument, and other site amenities. A parking lot is available on-site. Manchester Township Pop Warner Football Complex What was once a densely-wooded 40-acre parcel is the home of the Hawks, the Township’s youth football league and cheerleading squads. The facility is presently comprised of a full-size football field and a practice field. The complex also includes a concession stand and restroom building, an impressive playground for children of all ages, a 100-space parking lot. Also on the site is a Cheer Barn for indoor cheer practice. Construction of the complex was completed in 2002. Pine Lake Park & Playground At the shoreline of Pine Lake and adjacent to Lake Drive is Pine Lake Park & Playground, home of the Splashpad, which is a water spray park. Also located in the park is an extensive playground area comprised of climbers, slides and swings for all ages. There are two covered picnic areas with a restroom building nearby. From the beach area there is a pathway that traverses the shoreline and leads across the top of the dam and into the Pike Lake Park residential community. The lake accommodates boating; canoes and kayaks can often be seen paddling across the serene vista. Off street parking is provided by a paved parking area and a sandy lot on the north end of the beach. Beach Badges are required from Memorial Day till Labor Day. 6th Avenue Park In the Pine Lake Park residential community, at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Hannibal Street is 6th Avenue Park, a newly renovated park that provides two basketball courts, two tennis courts, playground with swings and climbers (for toddlers and older children) and a shaded pavilion for parents to escape the sun. There is a beach volleyball court, large field for sports and off-street parking at this location. In 2017, the NJ League of Municipalities awarded this park and our Department of Public Works, a first place Rehabilitation Project Award. Grand Army Memorial Park Though small in size, this 100 foot square park stands tall in its purpose: “To Perpetuate the Memory of the Grand Army of the Republic.” While not a recreation facility, Grand Army Memorial Park is both a serene and historical setting where one can just enjoy the day sitting on a bench. At this site there is a 20-foot tall masonry monument to the Grand Army; Union soldiers from the Civil War. In the center of the park are two cannons from the Civil War dated 1862. This park serves as one of the sites for the Township’s Memorial Day ceremony. Manchester Township Soccer Complex Located off Colonial Drive South just below Route 37 is the home of the Manchester/Lakehurst Soccer Association. The Manchester Township Soccer Complex is equipped with two full-size soccer fields and an array of smaller practice fields that run parallel to the railroad tracks. Parking and restroom facilities are provided on-site. Bowker Field Located in downtown Whiting, this park was constructed back in the early 1930s. In 1945 it was named after local resident and soldier Raymond Bowker who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. In 1998 Bowker Field was renovated with additional facilities added. At this location there are two softball fields. There is a tennis court and a basketball court at the rear of the complex. Also in this area there is a bocce ball court and a large playground area with picnic tables. Off-street parking is provided. Harry Wright Lake Located in the Whiting area is the Township’s only recreational swimming facility. Harry Wright Lake was constructed approximately 60 years ago by its namesake and other Township workers. Set within a heavily wooded area are facilities and amenities that make this park an ideal place to spend a summer day. There are bathing beaches and restrooms on each side of the lake. On the low side there is a playground area for children, horseshoe pits for adults, a concession stand and a band shell and stage where the Township’s “Summer Concert Series” is held. On the high side of the lake, which hosts the Summer Camp Program, there is a floating dock in the water, sand volleyball courts and a large covered pavilion. There are several parking lots on both sides of the lake. Beach Badges are required from Memorial Day till Labor Day. World War II Veterans Memorial Park On the site of what once was the Lake Road ball field, is the crown jewel of Manchester’s park system—World War II Veterans Memorial Park. The original park, which was 10 acres, was expanded and reconstructed in 2006 and now encompasses 30 acres. The centerpiece of the park is a monument to the Veterans of the Second World War consisting of a bronze statue of a WW2 infantryman, affectionately referred to as the “Grunt,” and seven granite walls dedicated to each branch of the service. A circular stamped concrete area adorned with flagpoles provides benches for people to sit and appreciate this area of dedication and reflection. Within the wooded area of the park is a maze of walking trails and a playground with pieces resembling WW2 military equipment. Restored vehicles and equipment from the war are on display along the pathways. Between the paths is the area which will become the “Garden of Honor” with an impressive steel gazebo at its center to be installed this year. The park also includes a softball field, a soccer field, tennis and basketball courts, a picnic area and a second playground. There is also a “Flag Garden” at the park’s entrance off Lake Road. There is plenty of on-site parking. This park will remain a “work in progress” for many years to come. Holly Oaks Park In the Holly Oaks community in the northeast portion of town, this park is located at Green Acres and Delpine Roads. The softball field, playground, basketball and tennis courts, with off-street parking area is a favorite in this family-oriented neighborhood. Summit Park Playground The newly renovated Summit Park Playground, located at the east end of the Manchester Township Soccer Complex off of Colonial Drive South, provides two beautifully reconstructed basketball courts and tennis courts, several pieces of playground equipment as well as a brand new matching pavilion. In November of 2018, our Department of Public Works received the First Place Municipal Management Class A Award for the improvements to the playground. Manchester Township 1 Colonial Dr Manchester Township, NJ 08759 732-657-8121 Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm QUICK LINKS Department Directory Police Department Recycling and Bulk Pick Up Pay Online Copyright 2020 Manchester Township | All Rights Reserved Copyright 2020 Website Design | Web Alliance International Agency LLC Facebook