Thompson Park

805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738

732-842-4000 ext 4312 - General Information

732-842-4000 ext 4298 - Ranger Station

Park Brochure & Map | Tick Advisory

Park opens at 7 a.m. daily, year round.

Closing time is 8 p.m. through September 30; 7:30 p.m. October 1-28; and 7 p.m. October 29-31.



Face coverings are required in all park buildings and outdoors when social distancing

cannot be reasonably maintained. Some buildings are closed to the general public when programs are in session. (updated 9/8/2020)



Please note that on or about September 8th, the Creative Arts Center parking lot will be partially closed due to an expansion project. Overflow parking in the adjacent field will be provided as necessary. Learn more about this project.





Visitor Advisory

Visitors are urged not to leave valuables in their cars and to notify Park Rangers of any suspicious activity in parking lots. To reach a Park Ranger, contact the County emergency communications center at 732-577-8700.





Thompson Park Visitor Center, former home of Geraldine Thompson (pictured below)

The Park System Headquarters are located in this 667 acre park, which was established in 1968 with a donation of 215 acres from the estate of Geraldine Livingston Thompson.

Mrs Thompson's beloved "Brookdale Farm" was a premier thoroughbred race horse breeding/training facility. Today, the park remembers Mrs.Thompson's belief that "children have to feel the ground beneath them and go out into the woods and see the trees and birds."



Built in 1896 as the Thompson family residence, this grand colonial revival mansion had been used as a Visitor Center and was destroyed by a fire on February 6, 2006. The Visitor Center has been rebuilt in the same style. The first floor is now open to the public Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Public restrooms are open 8 a.m. to dusk. The Visitor Center is available to rent for meetings, special events and weddings. Learn more about renting this space for meetings and special events or weddings.



Read Discover History in the Parks Series: Brookdale Farm in Thompson Park (pdf)

for more about the history of this site.



Thompson Park Headquarters Building

The park features several areas with names that remind visitors about its rich history. The Estate Grounds section includes the beginnings of a beautiful Memorial Tree Grove and the site of the former Geraldine and Lewis Thompson mansion. The Old Orchard area provides easy access to the 14 miles of trails within the park and is reminiscent of the former Thompson family apple orchard. The Filly Run area is home to the park's playground and also provides access to the park trails, specifically the 4.9 mile paved trail loop. A bicycle repair station with a tire pump and tools has recently been added near the playground.



The Three Barn section is named for the two large horse barns (now Theatre Barn and Activity Barn) and a cow barn (now the Creative Arts Center). The Three Barn area is also where the extremely popular off-leash dog area is located.

The Thompson Park Creative Arts Center features pottery & ceramics studios, as well as classrooms for painting, drawing, and other craft activities - making it the perfect artistic outlet for county residents. The Creative Arts Center was recently expanded to include The Gallery at Thompson Park, an additional studio, and outdoor patio. The gallery hosts exhibits featuring local artists throughout the year.



Thompson Park has opportunities for varied recreational interests including 14 miles of multiple-use trails (4.9 miles paved), a playground, tennis courts, a fishing lake for canoes/kayaks and electric-powered boats, a seasonal group picnic facility, Creative Arts Center, and off-leash dog area. A field is available for rental for rugby games only. Find out more about this and other athletic facility rentals in the Park System.





Reservable Group Picnic Area

Thompson Park features a reservable group picnic area and is a great spot to host a family reunion, an office get-together or a bunch of friends.

Trails

Old farm roads and a former horse exercise track are popular routes for walkers and runners. There is also a 4.9 mile paved trail. A bicycle repair station with a tire pump and tools has recently been added near the playground.



Cross-Country Ski Trail Map

In accordance with New Jersey’s recently amended Smoke Free Air Act, all Monmouth County parks are now tobacco free. The new ban applies to cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vaporize cigarettes, as well as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and chew.



Directions

Garden State Parkway to exit 109. Southbound, turn right onto Rt. 520 West (Newman Springs Rd.); Northbound, turn left onto Rt. 520 West 2.2 miles to Park (past M.T. Thompson park and Brookdale College entrance ) on left.

State Hwy. 34 to Rt. 520 east. Southbound, turn left; northbound, turn right. Follow Rt. 520 east to Park entrance.

Directions to the Longbridge Annex

Thompson Park Training Center, 53 Longbridge Road, Holmdel