Keyport Parks Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour

Welcome to Keyport, New Jersey — the 'Pearl of the Bayshore.' This self-guided walking tour invites you to explore not just beautiful green spaces, but the layered history beneath your feet. From colonial shoreline industry and maritime trade to community gatherings, volunteer firemen’s fairs, and artistic renewal, each park reflects a chapter in Keyport’s evolving story. Take your time at each stop. Imagine the sights, sounds, and livelihoods that once filled these spaces.

Site 1: Waterfront Park

NOW:
Opened in 2010 after nearly three decades of planning and redevelopment efforts beginning in the late 1980s, Waterfront Park represents a modern renewal of Keyport’s relationship with Raritan Bay. The promenade, pavilion, open lawn, and gathering spaces reconnect downtown to the shoreline. What was once largely inaccessible working waterfront is now a place for strolling, reflection, concerts, and community celebrations.

THEN:
For generations, this shoreline reflected the working character of Keyport. It supported fishing, crabbing, boat building, marine maintenance, and water-borne trade. The waterfront evolved with the needs of the times — sometimes industrial, sometimes recreational, but always central to the Borough’s identity. 

Standing here today, it is important to remember that beneath the landscaped park lies the footprint of a once-busy maritime economy.