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Asbury Park is a City in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 16,930.

A seaside resort town, Asbury Park once flourished. From the late 1800s until the 1960s, it was known as the "Jewel of the Jersey Shore." In the 1970s, Asbury Park (along with many other New Jersey cities) became a victim of race riots due to segregation and lack of opportunity for the city's large black community. This caused many residents to move out of the town. In the years to follow, businesses moved out and large parts of the city lay abandoned, so much so that a city manager called it 'Sarajevo-by-the-sea'.

In the past few years, there has been a resurgence in the Asbury Park real estate market as the town center has gradually become more gentrified as developers have begun various large redevelopment projects in different areas of the city.

From 2002 onward, Asbury Park has been in the midst of a cultural, political and economic revival led by a burgeoning industry of local and national artists. Its dilapidated downtown district has been revitalized, and the vacated beach front is undergoing a massive revitalization project. In 2005, the Casino's walkway re-opened, as did most of the boardwalk pavilions.

The redevelopment plans have come with controversy to many residents and supporters of Asbury Park because they call for the destruction of some historic sites, such as the Palace Amusements complex which featured the famous face of Tillie, a symbol of the Jersey Shore.

The redevelopment plans have come with controversy to many residents and supporters of Asbury Park because they call for the destruction of some historic sites, such as the Palace Amusements complex which featured the famous face of Tillie, a symbol of the Jersey Shore.

In particular, Asbury Park became famous after Bruce Springsteen released his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. in 1973. On his follow-up album, The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, one of the songs is entitled "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)".

In the movie Dogma by Kevin Smith, God took the form of an old man so that he/she could play skeeball in Asbury Park. This is in reference to Smith's earlier feature Chasing Amy, wherein the characters played by Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams played the same game in what could be Asbury, but is more likely to be either Keansburg, Point Pleasant, or Seaside Heights, all of which have a large number of arcades with this game and a larger tourist draw than Asbury.

The city is also a hub of New Jersey gay culture and is a popular resort destination for gay men and lesbians throughout the Northeast. Highlights of the summer season include the Jersey Gay Pride festival and parade in June and the Roadtrip Weekend in August, along with a number of bars, nightclubs, and gay-owned or gay-friendly shops and restaurants open year round.

Professional wrestler, Bam Bam Bigelow who was born in Asbury Park, named his finishing maneuver after a Bruce Springsteen song in tribute to his home town. The finisher was an over the shoulder reverse piledriver, or as Bigelow called it, "Greetings from Asbury Park."

Asbury Park's nightlife is primarily, but not all, rock oriented. The Stone Pony, the bar frequented by Bruce Springsteen, is still serving the rockers of the Jersey Shore. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, before going on to international fame, was the house band at the Stone Pony in the mid-seventies. On main street is the Saint, a small club with some of the best local acts. It has also bands such as Ben Folds, Jewel, Cake in the past. The Fast Lane, the club where Bon Jovi got his start, is still rocking too. Directly next door is Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley in which the shadowy lighting and vintage movies harbors the local hipster scene. On the other side is the Baronet, a vintage movie theater which dates back to Buster Keaton.

Popular with numerous Asbury Park residents and visitors is the monthly First Saturday event. On the first Saturday of every month, Asbury Park's downtown art galleries, home design studios, restaurants, antique shops, and clothing boutiques remain open throughout the evening, serving hors d'overs and offering entertainment, to showcase the city's residential and commercial resurgence.

Ocean Grove is a census-designated place and unincorporated area within Neptune Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Ocean Grove was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 5, 1920, from portions of Neptune Township, ratified by a referendum that took place on May 4, 1920. On May 12, 1921, the New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals found the act unconstitutional. Ocean Grove lost its brief independence and was restored to Neptune Township.[1]

Ocean Grove is located on the Jersey Shore, between Asbury Park to the north and Bradley Beach to the south.

Founded in 1869 as a Methodist summer retreat, Ocean Grove is home to the longest-lasting active camp meeting in the country.

Another reflection of these camp meeting roots are the 114 tents which surround the Great Auditorium. These seasonal residences, occupied from May to September, have adjacent cabins provided with electricity and plumbing and are much in demand - so much so that those seeking to lease one for a summer may have to wait 10 years.

As a result of these unique origins and the many Victorian homes which scatter the streets, the town has been in the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.

During the 1970's, the town was very much in decline and, due to the general air of decline and decrepitude, was known pejoratively by other residents of the Jersey Shore as "Ocean Grave." During the 1990's and the earliest part of the 21st Century, like many many of the shore towns, Ocean Grove has experienced a dramatic increase in property values and there has been a considerable revival in the fortunes of the town, leading to a much less depressed community and the closure of eyesores such as SRO residencies. However, property in the town still trades at a substantial discount to other, neighboring shore towns, which is probably due to the leasehold nature of the ownership and due to the fact that the "Christian" nature of the town discourages some potential homeowners.

During the Victorian era indicative of her growth, the land was officially named New Branch around 1855, but according to what map you looked at or to whom you talk to, the land also was known as the Swanton Tract or the Lewis Greene Property.

In 1878 the Jersey Shore was in her infancy. Long Branch, Asbury Park and Ocean Grove were very popular summer vacation spots for the wealthy visitors from New York and Philadelphia.

One of these summer visitors to Ocean Grove was Edward Batchelor, a very successful tobacco manufacturer from Philadelphia who had come to Ocean Grove to relax and fish. One day Batchelor decided to visit a local fishing spot called "Deep Hole" just south of New Branch at Shark River. During the trip to "Deep Hole" he passed through New Branch and was very impressed by the land. On the return trip Batchelor spied signs advertising the land for sale. The very next day Batchelor purchased 300 acres of land from T.W. Finn for $45,000.00.

In 1897, Robert C. Love, surveyor and F.G. Harrison, an engineer were contracted by Mr. Batchelor to look after his newly acquired land and under the supervision of the two men the town gradually took form. Originally Batchelor planned to use the land as the new center for his tobacco firm. With this in mind he named the land "Key East" presumably after a type of tobacco or cigar. A short while later, however, on the advice of Love and Harrison, Batchelor decided to develop Key East for its real estate potential.

Over the next decade, Batchelor provided the investment needed to construct the basic facilities essential to a growing resort community. The town was surveyed and divided into lots and sold for premiums unheard of on the Jersey Shore. Roads were cut through the dense woods, a sewer system was built, as was the Pavilion on Norwood and Ocean Avenue. Most important of all was the construction of the Avon Inn in 1883.

The town as "Avon-By-The-Sea" came into existence when it was incorporated under an act of legislature as a borough on March 23,1900. Where the name Avon comes from is something that a good many people wonder about, but it is easily enough understood when one considers that even in the days of "Key East" that hotel at the foot of Sylvania Avenue was known as the "Avon" Inn. It is not logical then to believe that when the town was renamed they patterned after the name and called the borough Avon-By-The-Sea.

There is little vacant or unused space in the community today, yet it's growth is not, nor has it ever been unrestrained or chaotic. Although there are commercial establishments on Main Street and Ocean Avenue, they are surrounded by residential development so that the basic character of the town has not been altered. After the town became Avon-By-The Sea, vast improvements were made. A boardwalk was laid and fire companies were organized. The present public school was built in 1908 and the library was built in 1916. Avon-By-The-Sea represents a conservative type of growth. While there have been changes in Avon, they have been neither radical nor inconsistent with past commitments.

The Fun Bus is a full sized school bus whose seats have all been removed and walls and floor carpeted and padded.

The Fun Bus philosophy is to enhance learning going on inside the classroom and home, using a hands-on approach to FITNESS and making it FUN!

Click here to learn more about kids' fitness!

This padded and safe equipment varies week to week depending on our lesson plans and children.

At the end of each session or party we have a “cool down” period, each child receives a stamp or sticker for doing a wonderful job and weather permitting slides out the back on the banana slide!

We can park wherever; a driveway, a parking lot, school, or a safe spot on the street.

Classes take place right on the bus and it NEVER moves while the children are on it. Classes and parties will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time for the Fun Bus and you

Fun Bus Franchises in New Jersey:

• Bergen County, N.J.
  Servicing: Allendale, Elmwood Park, Fairlawn, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Ho Ho Kus,  Mahwah, Maywood, Midland Park, Oakland, Paramus, Ramsey, Ridgewood,  Rochelle Park  Waldwick, Wyckoff
  Contact: (973)773-6773 or bergen@funbuses.com
  
  

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• Central Union County, N.J.
  Servicing: Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Rahway,  Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union, Vaux Hall, Westfield,  Winfield Park
  Contact: (732)452-9000 or Union@funbuses.com
  Now accepting Credit Cards Online!!!

  Click here to see the Fun Bus on the number one Latino morning show "Despierta America!!

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• Eastern Monmouth County, N.J.
  Servicing: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon by the Sea, Belford, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Colts Neck, Deal, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Fort Monmouth, Highlands, Holmdel, Leonardo, Lincroft, Little Silver, Long Branch, Manasquan, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Neptune, Oakhurst, Ocean Grove, Oceanport, Port Monmouth, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Spring Lake/Heights, Tinton Falls, Wall, West Long Branch.
  Contact: (732)582-2701 or eastmonmouth@funbuses.com
   

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• East Morris-West Union Counties, N.J.              "Now Hiring Part Time Staff"
  Servicing: Berkeley Heights, Boonton, Butler, Cedar Knolls, Chatham, Collinsville, Convent Station, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Gillette, Green Village, Greystone Park, Hanover, Harding, Kinnelon, Lake Hiawatha, Lake Parsippany, Lake Telemark, Lincoln Park, Long Hill, Madison, Meyersville, Millington, Montville, Morris, Morris Plains, Morristown, Mount Freedom, Mountain Lakes, Mountainside, New Providence, New Vernon, Parsippany, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Pine Brook, Pompton Plains, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Springfield, Stirling, Summit, Towaco, Union Hill, Victory Gardens, Wharton, Whippany, White Meadow Lake

  Contact: 973-5FUNBUS (973-538-6287) or morris-union@funbuses.com

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• Essex County, N.J.
  Servicing: Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Falls, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Short Hills, South Orange, Verona, West Caldwell, West Orange
  Contact: (973)597-1138 or Essex@funbuses.com
  
  

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• Greater Middlesex County, N.J.        EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
  Servicing: Avenel, Carteret, Colonia, East Brunswick, Edison, Fords, Helmetta, Iselin, Keasbey, Metuchen, Milltown, Morgan, North Brunswick, Parlin, Perth Amboy,  Port Reading, Sayreville, Sewaren, South Amboy, South Plainfield,  South River,  Spotswood,   Woodbridge  
  Contact: (732)516-9613 or greatermiddlesex@funbuses.com

  Click here to see the Fun Bus on the number one Latino morning show "Despierta America"!

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• Greater Somerset and ALL of Hunterdon County, N.J.
  Servicing: Alexandria Township, Annandale, Asbury, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Belle Mead, Bernards, Bernardsville, Blawenburg, Bloomsbury, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Califon, Clinton, Flagtown, Flemington, Frenchtown, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Hillsborough, Hopewell, Kingston, Lambertville, Lebanon, Liberty Corner, Lyons, Martinsville, Milford, Montgomery, Neshanic Station, North Branch, Peapack, Pittstown, Pluckemin, Pottersville, Quakertown, Raritan, Readington, Ringoes, Rocky Hill, Sergeantsville, Skillman, Somerville, Stanton, Stockton, Three Bridges, Whitehouse, Whitehouse Station
  Contact: (908)864-5139 or somersethunterdon@funbuses.com

  Now accepting Credit Cards Online!!!

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• Hudson County, N.J.
  Servicing: Bayonne, Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City, Kearny, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, West New York
  Contact: (201)484-0182 or hudson@funbuses.com
   

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• Northern Middlesex/Somerset County, N.J.
  Servicing: Bound Brook, Dunellen, Franklin Park, Green Brook, Highland Park, Manville, Middlesex, New Brunswick, North Plainfield, Piscataway, Plainfield, Somerset, Warren, Watchung     
  Contact: (732)356-7874 or fitnessfun@funbuses.com
  

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• Ocean County, NJ           Now Hiring Part-Time Staff
  Servicing: Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Bayville, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Brick, Forked River, Island Heights, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Lanoka Harbor, Lavallette, Little Egg Harbor,  Manchester, Manahawkin, Mantoloking, Mayetta, New Egypt, Pine Beach, Pt. Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Toms River, Tuckerton, Waretown, West Creek, Whiting
• Contact: (609)607-0400 or oceancounty@funbuses.com

  Now accepting Credit Cards Online!!!

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• Southern Middlesex, Northern Monmouth & Mercer Counties, NJ
  Servicing: Cliffwood, Cranbury, Dayton, Hightstown, Jamesburg, Keansburg, Kendall Park, Keyport, Laurence Harbor, Monmouth Junction, Monroe, Old Bridge, Plainsboro, Princeton, Princeton Junction, South Brunswick, Windsors (East & West)

  Contact: (732)441-0282 or Fitkidz@funbuses.com

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• Western Monmouth County/Ocean County, N.J.
  Servicing: Aberdeen, Allentown, Clarkesburg, Cream Ridge, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold, Howell, Imlaystown, Jackson, Manalapan, Marlboro, Matawan, Millstone, Morganville, Perrineville, Roosevelt, Wickatunk
  Contact: (732)617-1965 or westmonmouthocean@funbuses.com
  
  

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• West Morris & Sussex Counties, NJ       
  Servicing: Andover, Augusta, Barry Lakes, Beaver Lake, Beemerville, Branchville, Budd Lake, Chester, Cliffwood Lake, Colesville, Flanders, Franklin, Fredon, Fredon Township, Gerard, Glasser, Glenwood, Greendell, Hamburg, High Point, High Point Park, Highland Lakes, Hopatcong, Kenvil, Lafayette, Lake Hopatcong, Lake Stockholm, Lake Tamarack, Landing, Layton, Ledgewood, Long Valley, McAfee, Mendham, Middleville, Mine Hill, Montague, Mount Arlington, Netcong, Newton, Ogdensburg, Picatinny Arsenal, Silver Lake, Sparta, Stanhope, Stillwater, Stockholm, Succasunna, Sussex, Swartswood, Tranquility, Vernon, Wallkill Lake, Wallpack Center, Wantage, Wantage Towhship,

  Contact: (973)784-1093 or westmorris-sussex@funbuses.com