Mission
Envisioning a community of neighbors working together in support of initiatives and institutions that strengthen bonds among residents and benefit the greater good, while achieving a higher quality of life.
Goals & Objectives
Since 1995, the APHA strives to enhance the quality of life in our city and look out for the interests of our members through community support of initiatives and institutions that strengthen bonds among residents and benefit the greater good.
We aim to provide resident homeowners (house, co-op, or condominium) with an organized means of enhancing our community in tangible ways. We strive to identify and explain topics of specific interest to our members and to develop and implement activities, programs, and special projects to enhance the quality of life in our city.
Values
In fulfilling our mission and achieving our vision we value fairness, kindness, respect, honesty, cooperation, and neighborliness in all our actions.
History of Asbury Park
While only encompassing one square mile, Asbury Park has a storied history. It was the playground of wealthy New Yorkers and those from Bergen County from its development in 1871 well into the 1950’s. It was serenaded by Frank Sinatra and was a high school football powerhouse into the 1960’s. However, by the late 1960’s Asbury Park began its economic decline by the time Bruce Springsteen arrived in the 1970’s, Asbury Park was a city of great music in a truly rundown town.
Many say that the Empress hotel and Georgie’s Bar led the way for the LGBTQ community to move in and help to renovate Asbury Park. In the early part of the 2000’s its lovely Victorian houses were discovered by this vibrant community, and Asbury’s rebirth as a hip and tolerant community started to slowly attract the restaurants, stores, and bars we see in the city today.
Asbury is divided into quadrants. West of the railroad tracks is considered the “West Side” and is mostly residential. “North West” Asbury is being developed the most quickly, with homes being renovated everywhere one looks and new restaurants and shops opening up slowly. “South West” Asbury has over 80 new housing units in the works and hosts free concerts during the summer. Everything east of the railroad tracks is the “East Side”; the downtown area is in the “South East”, with over 25 restaurants, an indie movie theatre, five art galleries and numerous shops. And the “North East” is residential and beach oriented.