Jackson Woods Farm is the site of the former 1941 proposed development “Jackson Manor”, a 13-acre farmhouse & wetland property in the City of Long Branch, NJ. Jackson Woods Park was created in 1991 when the property, which had been slated for redevelopment, was preserved as open space. This preservation effort was led by Tom Booth (center), Adam Schneider, Stan Cain, Cornelius Koscis, and Governor Jim Florio.
Despite its preservation, Jackson Woods Park suffered from neglect for 30 years, littered with garbage, lacking amenities, and with a sticky pond; Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage in 2012. In April 2018, a group of concerned citizens – the Friends of Jackson Woods – banded together to revitalize the park and create a passive recreation, environmental education, and a community arts space, with the protection of this unique biodiversity and local wildlife as their primary goal. With support from the City of Long Branch, the mayor, the Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), alongside many local volunteer organizations, the transformation began. Today, Jackson Woods Park is surrounded by a school, shops, homes, and apartment.
The Problem: A Stinky, Algae-ridden Pond
PondHawk® Baseline Sampling was conducted on July 26, 2023, to determine the water quality. The process was as follows:
- Instrumentation & Testing: Utilizing a multi-parameter sonde for collecting vertical profile conditions and a Secchi disk to measure water clarity.
- Lab Analysis: Collecting both surface and bottom water samples to test for nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate levels.
- Field Observations: Documenting aesthetic factors, watershed inputs, and stormwater hygiene.
PondHawk’s site evaluation revealed the following issues with the pond:
- Trees from the northwest shoreline to the eastern pond shoreline
- Cattails, phragmites, algae, duckweed
- Odors
- Low DO (Dissolved Oxygen)
- High temperature stratification
- No notable aquatic life
- Abundance of duckweed and watermeal on the water surface (>2/3 coverage)
- Algae
- Strong hydrogen sulfide gas odor when the bottom sediments were probed with the oars.
- A partially submerged wooden pallet, a traffic safety cone, and other trash
The Goal
The Solution: PondHawk®'s Solar-Powered Pond Aeration System
Based on the findings from the baseline sampling and a solar access assessment to confirm the installation location, PondHawk® by LINNE Industries™ recommended installing an AeroCore™ system with the following specifications:
- 1 PondHawk (PHAL120) Pump
- 1 Two diffuser system with two 11″ diffusers and platforms (D2P2-11)
- 300’ weighted airline
- Community Educational Sign
The Results: Long-Term Performance and Sustainability
Volunteers have since begun eradicating invasive plants and debris, as well as planting new tree saplings donated by local nurseries. Now, the park provides a variety of amenities for public enjoyment, such as an outdoor classroom, wildlife, butterfly garden, rock pyramid, and various sculptures, including rising waters. There are also various trails, bridges, and walkways that encourage guests to engage with the natural environment. Three years in, and the PondHawk system continues to show its long-term effectiveness in delivering year-round circulation and dissolved oxygen.
Most recent data from July 2025 shows the following results.
The service results showed:
Continuous Operation
Consistency in temperature and salinity across the water column
Water Clarity
Enhanced water clarity with Secchi disk visibility reaching the bottom
Reducing Odors
Elimination of noticeable odors previously originating from bottom sediments
Rebuilding Ecosystem
Reintroduction of aquatic wildlife, including mallards, minnows, and turtles
