South Middlesex Times

A project to preserve the history of Springwood Avenue in Asbury Park has been undertaken by local residents with assistance from Rutgers University. The initiative aims to document the area’s past as a hub of Black business and culture before the 1970 unrest. The project involves creating an archive and a walking tour based on historical photos, newspaper clippings, and interviews.

The effort received support from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority’s Vibrant Places Program, which offers technical aid from Rutgers experts. Diane Shelton, outreach specialist at Interfaith Neighbors, expressed relief at receiving help: “It was a godsend.”

Staff and graduate students from Rutgers' Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center spent nine months compiling research into an interactive website that provides a virtual tour of Springwood Avenue between 1930 and 1970. This work has gained recognition in the geo-graphing industry and is a finalist in the ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition.

Miriam Salerno, managing director of the Public Outreach and Engagement Team at Voorhees Transportation Center, explained their goal: “What we try to do is help communities create places where people want to live, work, have arts and culture – everything in a compact downtown.”

The project maps eight blocks of Springwood Avenue through six thematic sections including businesses, music and arts scene, civil rights, worship life, community stories, and life style. Typically, projects under the Vibrant Places program last four to six months but this one required additional time due to its historical nature.

The team collaborated with various organizations such as Monmouth University for oral histories and utilized collections from Rutgers University Libraries. Jesika Tixi shared her personal connection: “I’ve been going to this place for years, and I didn’t know this part of its history.”

Diane Shelton noted that while some memories were familiar like visiting butcher shops with her grandmother others had faded over time. She emphasized that residents wanted to remember Springwood Avenue's vibrant past rather than focusing solely on post-unrest changes.

Rutgers delivered resources showcasing local businesses like Fisch’s Department Store through detailed pages featuring photographs ads locations along with quotes from long-time residents such as Rev David Parreott who said: "There were some folks that lived their whole lives and never crossed the railroad tracks (to East Side) because everything they needed was over here (on West Side)."

Cate Heady coordinated mapping efforts ensuring accurate representation of collected stories while emphasizing fun aspects involved throughout process.

Interfaith Neighbors plans further development including sponsorship drives fundraising events physical walking tours supported by grants using virtual walk tool highlighting West Side legacy beyond typical rock roll associations tied Bruce Springsteen boardwalk fame according Tixi recalling meeting conversations shared vision future preservation efforts underway today