{"id":9664,"date":"2026-04-22T14:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T18:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/?p=9664"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T18:32:09","slug":"a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/","title":{"rendered":"A Legacy Takes Root: Ocean County Celebrates Arbor Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Arbor Day was celebrated on the lawn of the historic Ocean County Courthouse in Downtown Toms River, where students, community members, and county leaders gathered to mark the occasion with the dedication of a Liberty Tree in honor of America\u2019s 250th Anniversary.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHere in Ocean County, we are proud of our deep Revolutionary War history,\u201d said Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace. \u201cThis tree connects us to that past, but it also\u00a0represents\u00a0something forward-looking.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0a reminder that the decisions we make today have a lasting impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Arace was joined by Ocean County Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Sam Ellenbogen, Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran, Shade Tree Commission Chairman Mike Mangum, and Parks and Recreation Director Mary Jane Bavais for the ceremonial planting.<\/p>\n<p>The Liberty Tree, descended from an American elm that stood during the Revolutionary War, can grow to heights of up to 150 feet.<\/p>\n<p>We also extend our thanks to the students in Mr. Matthew Sohl\u2019s class at Toms River High School South for helping make the day memorable with a reading of the Declaration of Independence.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-9664 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/1q9a0117-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1Q9A0117-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/1q9a0160-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1Q9A0160-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/1q9a0201-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1Q9A0201-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9280-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9280-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9286-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9286-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9306-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9306-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9314-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9314-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9321-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9321-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9323-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9323-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9324-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9324-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9327-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9327-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9329-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9329-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9331-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9331-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9336-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9336-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/1q9a0221-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1Q9A0221-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9362-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9362-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/1q9a0231-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1Q9A0231-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/1q9a0258-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1Q9A0258-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9367-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9367-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9371-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9371-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/1q9a0278-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1Q9A0278-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9389-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9389-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/a-legacy-takes-root-ocean-county-celebrates-arbor-day\/dsc_9277-large\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DSC_9277-Large-250x250.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ocean County celebrates Arbor Day with dedication of a Liberty Tree, an American elm that is a descendant of a tree that was alive during the American Revolution\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arbor Day was celebrated on the lawn of the historic Ocean County Courthouse in Downtown Toms River, where students, community members, and county leaders gathered to mark the occasion with the dedication of a Liberty Tree in honor of America\u2019s 250th Anniversary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":9685,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photo-galleries"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9664"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9688,"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9664\/revisions\/9688"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co.ocean.nj.us\/GalleryWP\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}