Known over the centuries as “Shark River Village”, “Trap”, “Greenville” and “Hamilton”, West Neptune is the oldest of the Township’s neighborhoods. Before the Revolutionary War, settlers sought out West Neptune for its waterways and gently rolling farmlands, establishing mills and farmsteads along its main roads. Jumping Brook Road, Gully Road, Wayside Road still carry the country feeling of the area, with numerous old homes dating from the late 1700’s-1870’s gracing the roadsides. It’s hard to believe you’re just blocks away from the major traffic corridors of Routes 33, 66, 18, and the Garden State Parkway.
More modern homes at Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Park and Neptune Manor now share the landscape with the old homesteads. West Neptune residents enjoy a close proximity to Shark River Park, a 586-acre preserve under the aegis of the Monmouth County Parks System. The park offers fishing, hiking, ice skating, cross country skiing, shuffle board, and horseshoe pitching, with picnicking areas and a shelter building. Recent development on the Route 66 corridor has brought major commercial investment in the form of a Home Depot-anchored shopping complex at Jumping Brook Road. New housing is appearing throughout West Neptune and community parks and playgrounds are receiving an abundance of attention. (Does anyone remember the Asbury Air Terminal and Neptune Music Circus which operated closeby on the southwest corner of the Rte 66/Jumping Brook Road in the 1950’s)?
Area residents are served by the Hamilton Fire Company (formed 1911) and the nearby Hamilton First Aid Squad (formed 1955). Membership is available for residents in the West Neptune Homeowners Association.
Click here for a link to West Neptune Homeowners website
