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While driving through the streets of Asbury Park, NJ, I could
only speculate about its once vibrant reputation lost in its
decayed ruins. Long gone are the amusements and vacation hotspots.
Much of the music scene has diminished to only the landmark
Stone Pony and The Saint. Both of which have had their own
handful of operating troubles.
 Many
folks high on good intentions have formed "Save Tillie"
and "Save The Palace" committees in what seems to
be an attempt to revitalize Asbury's once world famous summer
resort status. They feel that these midway style attractions
are historically important and should be held close to the
heart as monuments to fun.
While the sentimental value of these things is undeniable,
I wonder if it has truly been worth it. Fighting to save the
face of a clown on a wall or an old building or a ferris wheel
while the city slips further and further into an economic
and social void seems misguided.
Yes, the misfortunes of this city are sad and I'm not trying
to diminish the pain or longing felt by the people who have
lived and vacationed here over the years. My own town of Cliffside
Park, NJ was once the home of the famous Palisades Amusement
Park. In the late sixties and into the early seventies, the
park began to lose its luster. The choice was made, after
a suspicious fire, to finally tear it all down. I remember
the story in the newspaper and the picture of the fireman
in front of what was once the Roller Coaster. It was heartbreaking.
To make matters worse, in its wake came the building of several
upscale high-rise condominium complexes. Many, including myself,
were quite angry at the thought of these ugly towers replacing
our World's Largest Salt Water Pool and Kiddie Rides and such.
However, looking back on it now I can see that it was a necessary
transition. Cliffside Park has become an important residential
ingredient in the NYC stew. Struggling aimlessly to resusitate
our dead but historically important amusement park could have
sent the town in a completely different direction. But I digress.
This night, I saw hope for Asbury Park in a cluster of art
galleries on one particular corner of Cookman Ave.
- Be.
704 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(p) 732-774-2411
(f) 732-660-0841
(e) befreetobe@aol.com
- Doom Urban Space
706 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(p) 732-988-5660
(f) 732-988-5669
(e) doomurbanspace@post.com
- Asbury
Art
708 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(p) 732-988-3284
(e) shrthare@aol.com
Swarms of all types gathered inside and outside while a boggling
assortment of creative expression was being displayed by some
of the area's most talented artists and photographers. Music
could be heard bouncing playfully off the walls in the street
and all doors were open for us to wander freely among the
art. There was an electric brilliance flowing through the
hot summer night as artists, curators and patrons alike chatted
about this budding art scene.
This is sort of an old story, but it is one that somehow
seems to surprise people every time it plays out. Artists,
writers and musicians move into a depressed neighborhood because
of the cheap rent. They then do what comes naturally and inevitably
the neighborhood takes on a whole new aesthetic. One that
is pleasing to those who visit, inspiring them to also move
into the neighborhood and, over time, inspiring new businesses
to open. This type of revitalization has worked in places
in NJ and NY including Hoboken, Jersey City, Redbank, Montclair,
the East Village, Astoria and Williamsburg.
There is still a long struggle still ahead for Asbury Park,
but with an open mind, this artistic community could prove
to be its saving grace. That is of course if folks stop trying
to save carousels while yearning for the glory days and concentrate
on saving the city itself. There are plenty of resorts and
midways that still exist and thrive in NJ, in Seaside Heights,
Wildwood and many other points in between. Why not let Asbury
Park evolve into something more, something better?
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