Ocean Township (the Township of Ocean) is an 11-square-mile suburban community in eastern Monmouth County. Its neighborhoods include Oakhurst, Wanamassa, Wayside, West Allenhurst, West Deal, Deal Park, Colonial Terrace and Shadow Lawn Manor, with parks, schools, shopping and dining corridors, community institutions and quick access to nearby Shore destinations.
Three Community AnchorsNJTGO organizes Ocean Township around Oakhurst, Wanamassa and Wayside, with each community contributing a different residential, school, park and corridor identity.
Suburban Shore LocationOcean Township is not a boardwalk town, but it sits directly beside major Shore communities including Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst and Asbury Park.
Parks & RecreationTownship resources include Joe Palaia Park, Oakhurst fields, Wanamassa parks, Wayside Park, recreation programs, courts, fields and community facilities.
Schools & LibraryThe Township of Ocean School District, Ocean Township Library and youth/recreation programs are central to daily life.
How Ocean Township Is Organized
Ocean Township has no single downtown. Oakhurst, Wanamassa and Wayside are the three largest practical guide anchors, while the township also identifies West Allenhurst, West Deal, Deal Park, Colonial Terrace and Shadow Lawn Manor among its neighborhoods.
OakhurstCivic & School AnchorOakhurst is the township’s municipal and school-district anchor, with Town Hall on Monmouth Road, the school district office, Ocean Township High School access, parks, library access nearby and major local corridors.
WanamassaResidential & Lake-Area CharacterWanamassa gives the township a residential, neighborhood-oriented identity near Deal Lake and Sunset Avenue corridors, with fire/community references, parks and access toward Asbury Park, Interlaken and Allenhurst.
WaysideSuburban & Park-Connected AreaWayside is the western and inland community anchor, tied to Green Grove Road, Wayside Park, residential neighborhoods, nearby Tinton Falls and practical access to Route 18 and broader Monmouth County.
Top Things To Do in Ocean Township
Use Joe Palaia ParkWalk trails, enjoy open space, use recreation resources and explore one of the township’s signature park areas.
Visit Ocean Township LibraryUse the library for books, computers, Wi-Fi, study space, children’s programs, book clubs, movies, concerts and community resources.
Explore the CorridorsShop and run errands along Route 35, West Park Avenue, Deal Road, Monmouth Road, Sunset Avenue, Route 18 access points and nearby commercial areas.
Reach Nearby BeachesUse neighboring Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Asbury Park and Loch Arbour for beach, boardwalk, oceanfront, dining and entertainment trips.
Ocean Township was created in 1849 and originally covered a much larger Shore-area footprint. Today, the township is a suburban Monmouth County community with a Council-Manager form of government, strong neighborhood identity and practical access to beaches, Route 18, shopping corridors, schools, parks and nearby employment centers.
1849 Township RootsThe township was created before many neighboring Shore municipalities separated into their current forms.
Neighborhood VarietyOakhurst, Wanamassa and Wayside form the working guide structure, while official township materials also reference several smaller neighborhood names.
Suburban Shore IdentityOcean Township is close to the beach without being a boardwalk or resort municipality.
Volunteer & Civic CultureOfficial township materials emphasize boards, commissions, committees and community involvement.
Township Government & Public Resources
Town Hall is located at 399 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, NJ 07755. General township contact is 732-531-5000. The township operates under the Faulkner Act Council-Manager form of government, with policy set by the Council and day-to-day administration overseen by the Township Manager.
The Township of Ocean School District serves the township and lists schools for high school, intermediate and elementary levels, including Wanamassa Elementary and Wayside Elementary. Families should always verify enrollment, transportation and attendance details directly with the district.
Township of Ocean School DistrictDistrict office163 Monmouth Road Oakhurst, NJ 07755 732-531-5600
Ocean Township High SchoolPublic high schoolOakhurst / Township of Ocean School District
Township of Ocean Intermediate SchoolPublic intermediate schoolTownship of Ocean School District
Ocean Township Elementary SchoolPublic elementary schoolTownship of Ocean School District
Wanamassa Elementary SchoolPublic elementary schoolWanamassa / Township of Ocean School District
Wayside Elementary SchoolPublic elementary schoolWayside / Township of Ocean School District
Parks, Recreation & Outdoor Facilities
Ocean Township’s recreation system is an important part of the community. Official park regulations include hours of 7:00 a.m. to sunset, leashed pets, designated parking, trash/recycling expectations and restrictions on alcohol in parks unless specially arranged.
Joe Palaia ParkDow Avenue and Whalepond Road, OakhurstLarge township park area with trails, open space and disc golf references from the official Outdoor Facilities page.
Oakhurst First Aid & Fire Company Memorial Fieldsoff Larkin Place, OakhurstAthletic and recreation fields serving the Oakhurst area.
Wanamassa Firemen’s Memorial Parknear Sunset Avenue / Brielle Avenue / Hopewell Avenue, WanamassaNeighborhood park serving the Wanamassa area.
Dave Dahrouge ParkPark Boulevard & Logan Road, WanamassaWanamassa park and recreation area with picnic/court facility references.
Wayside ParkGreen Grove Road, WaysideWayside neighborhood park with pavilion and court references.
Kepwel Property / Mya Lin Terry PlaygroundCold Indian Springs RoadOpen public playground area; official page notes no fishing, swimming or water activities currently permitted.
Recreation office: The township Recreation Office is located at 601 Deal Road inside the Department of Human Services, with office phone 732-531-2600.
Library, Human Services & Community Life
Ocean Township LibraryLocated at 701 Deal Road, the library offers books, audio and e-books, computers, Wi-Fi, programs for all ages, study rooms and community resources.
Human ServicesTownship Human Services and Recreation resources support programs, events, seniors, youth, recreation and community participation.
Fire Districts & Emergency ResourcesOfficial township links reference Oakhurst and Wanamassa fire district resources, police, OEM and emergency alert registration.
Historical & Civic ResourcesThe township’s important-links page references the Township of Ocean Historical Museum, chamber, library friends and civic organizations.
Community, Faith, Funeral & Cemetery Resources
Ocean Township has a diverse network of congregations and community institutions. Funeral homes and cemetery resources are kept here on the main community page rather than in Business & Shopping.
Houses of Worship
Congregation Magen David of West Deal395 Deal Road Ocean Township, NJ 07712 732-531-3220
Chabad of Greater Monmouth – Congregation Sons of Israel1 Poplar Place Ocean Township, NJ 07712 732-433-0800
Congregation Torat El – Jersey Shore Jewish Center301 Monmouth Road Oakhurst, NJ 07755 732-531-4410
St. George Greek Orthodox Church1033 West Park Avenue Ocean Township, NJ 07712 732-775-2777
The Presbyterian Church on the Hill10 Cold Indian Springs Road Ocean Township, NJ 07712 732-493-4110
Funeral & Memorial Services
Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels2130 NJ-35 Ocean Township, NJ 07712 732-493-4343
Ocean Funeral Home2130 NJ-35 Ocean Township, NJ 07712 732-508-7899
Chehebar Memorial Home1107 Logan Road Ocean Township, NJ 07712
Cemeteries & Historic Burial Grounds
Drummond Cemetery89 Wickapecko Drive Ocean Township, NJ 07712 Historic family burial ground in the Wanamassa area.
Wayside CemeteryWest Park Avenue Ocean Township, NJ 07712 Community cemetery associated with the Wayside area.
Beach, Shore & Nearby Destination Access
Ocean Township does not have the same public beachfront identity as nearby oceanfront towns, but it sits beside several Shore destinations. Residents and visitors often use nearby Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Loch Arbour and Neptune/Bradley Beach corridors for beaches, boardwalk-style entertainment, dining and nightlife.
Long BranchOceanfront dining, beaches, Pier Village, shopping, events and visitor services north/east of the township.
Deal & AllenhurstNeighboring coastal communities with residential shore character, beach clubs and local access rules to verify.
Asbury ParkBoardwalk, music venues, dining, nightlife, beach access and cultural destinations to the south/east.
Neptune & Bradley BeachAdditional nearby Shore access, restaurants, lodging and beach-town connections south of Ocean Township.
Transportation, Commuting & Corridors
Route 18 AccessRoute 18 helps connect Ocean Township with greater Monmouth County, commuting routes and regional shopping/job centers.
Route 35 CorridorRoute 35 connects local shopping, services, restaurants, nearby beach towns and north-south Shore travel.
Deal Road, West Park & Monmouth RoadThese corridors support civic, school, library, business and neighborhood travel across the township.
Nearby RailNearby rail access is generally found in neighboring communities such as Long Branch and Allenhurst, depending on destination and schedule.
Public Health, Safety & Services
Official township resources connect residents with police, OEM, public works, code enforcement, housing, human services, sewerage, emergency alerts, fire district links, utilities and Monmouth County public resources.
Police & OEMUse official township public safety and emergency management resources for alerts, storms, road closures and public safety information.
Public WorksPublic Works supports a safe, clean and healthy environment through multiple service divisions and coordination across township needs.
Code & HousingCode enforcement, housing and community development resources matter for property, rentals, permits and neighborhood concerns.
Utilities & SewerageImportant links point residents toward sewerage authority, water, gas, electric and other public utility resources.
Living in Ocean Township
Ocean Township works well as an NJTGO guide because residents and visitors may search by community name, road corridor, school, park, nearby beach, shopping center or neighboring town. The guide should help users understand the township as a collection of connected residential areas rather than one downtown destination.
For ResidentsUse township resources for permits, public works, sanitation, recreation, library programs, schools, public notices, code enforcement and emergency alerts.
For FamiliesReview schools, parks, youth sports, library programming, pool/tennis resources, recreation programs and nearby Shore activities.
For VisitorsPlan around parks, family visits, nearby beaches, restaurants, shopping corridors, local events and lodging in surrounding communities.
For BusinessesUse NJTGO business, food, real estate, classifieds and jobs pages to connect services with Oakhurst, Wanamassa, Wayside and nearby towns.
Use NJTGO to build out Ocean Township pages for Oakhurst, Wanamassa and Wayside businesses, food, real estate, lodging, classifieds, jobs, public resources and nearby Shore communities.
