Silver Ridge Park

Pros

• The clubhouse is nice.
• The show was spectacular and attendees expressed thanks.
• The community is described as a beautiful 55+ neighborhood.
• The people are great and the area is loved.
• The Christmas party was enjoyable and well run.
• The community is pristine and private.
• A core group of dedicated volunteers does a lot with a limited budget.
• The neighborhood is quiet and pleasant.
• Residents feel safe and their loved ones are in a beautiful community.
• The area is clean and accommodating.

Cons

• They are dissatisfied with the HOA.
• The community is not park-like, and rules controlling individual home ownership are seen as unnecessary.
• There are dead trees lining streets and common areas are unkempt.
• Money is spent unnecessarily on HOA-related matters.
• Residents feel they get nothing for their dues.
• People feel there is little to no choice due to archaic and township rules.
• The deer management policy is criticized as inhumane and implemented without a vote.
• The plan to roundup deer with hunters in trees is viewed as unethical.
• There is a major deer problem in the area.
• Residents feel they have little or no say in decisions about their properties.
• The community is described as clique-like and unfriendly.
• Some neighbors are seen as nosy and meddling.
• They would not recommend anyone move there.
• Drug activity in the area is a concern.

Review

The overall picture from these notes is a community that many residents clearly cherish, even as they harbor strong opinions about how it is run and what kind of living environment they want. People repeatedly describe the neighborhood as pleasant and friendly, with a strong social scene built around a well-used clubhouse, a lively schedule of events, and a group of dedicated volunteers who get a lot done on a limited budget. The sentiment is warm: "This is a beautiful 55+ community," "the people are great," and many attendees speak fondly of parties, gatherings, and the comfort of living among neighbors who look out for one another. The clubhouse itself earns praise as a nice facility, and there are appreciative notes about the effort that goes into keeping things lively and well-run, such as a recent Christmas party that attendees described as a great time and a general sense of pride in the center of social activity.

Beyond the social fabric, there's a clear sense of pride in homeownership and the physical setting, tempered by frustration with governance rules. Several residents are on the HOA board or closely observe how the section is managed, and they are vocal about wanting fresh ideas and new bylaws that would expand individual expression and reduce the need for prior approvals on what homeowners want to do with their own properties. The recurring complaint is that rules - whether from the HOA, township, or "ancient" policy - feel overly restrictive and out of touch with how people want to enjoy their homes as adults with ownership rights. The appeals are for more freedom to express personal taste in landscaping, renovations, and other property choices rather than a fortress-like culture of permissions. One resident even notes that the community seemingly prioritizes control over private property to an extent that doesn't always align with the lived reality of taxpayers who own homes in the area.

The landscape and upkeep of the neighborhood occupy a significant portion of the debate as well. Frustrations surface about dead trees along streets, unkempt common areas, and a general sense that maintenance lags behind expectations. There are specific grievances about a private courtyard where trees - intended to provide privacy, sound buffering, snow protection, and deer deterrence - had their bottom branches cut, exposing the spaces to more visibility and reducing privacy. Several homeowners express disappointment that they feel their dues are not yielding visible or timely improvements, and there is a call for more proactive stewardship of the grounds before residents feel compelled to second-guess the priorities that guide expenditures and maintenance.

Deer management emerges as one of the most contentious and emotionally charged issues in the notes. A number of residents acknowledge that deer have long inhabited the area and that some people are perfectly comfortable sharing the space with them, while others see deer as a serious problem requiring action. The debate touches on who should bear responsibility for deer control - the township or animal control, the HOA, or individual homeowners who might want to fence their properties to manage deer access. One resident frames deer management as a township matter that has not been addressed proportionately, while others insist that the township's responsibilities are not being met. The most charged moment comes from a claim that a planned round-up involving hunters could be construed as a massacre, with calls to label it humankind's approach to population control as "inhumane." This portion of the conversation underscores a fundamental disagreement about methods, ethics, and the process by which such decisions get made - often with little to no resident vote or direct say in the outcome.

There is also a sense of social tension that colors everyday life. Some residents describe the community as "like living in the Twilight Zone," with a perception of a clique-y, high-school-like atmosphere where a small core of volunteers drives decision-making and social life. The phrase "rah rahs and jocks" is used to illustrate a perception of social dynamics that feel insular and exclusive. This contrasts with other voices that emphasize a quiet, safe, and welcoming environment for families and retirees alike. The juxtaposition highlights how the same community can feel both tight-knit and cliquey, with different residents feeling differently about how inclusive or exclusive the social scene is.

Despite the tensions, the consistent thread is a deep sense of attachment to the place. People who have lived there for years speak about the community's strengths - the safety in a 55+ setting, the calm atmosphere, and the dependable social calendar. Others point to ongoing issues that temper their enthusiasm: the perceived ineffectiveness of maintenance, the ongoing cost of dues without visible returns, the friction between personal autonomy and HOA governance, and the contentious debate over deer management and related safety or ethical concerns. There is widespread acknowledgement that the area's appeal lies in its people and the calmer lifestyle it promises, even as residents push for reforms to HOA rules, better stewardship of common areas, and more transparent, resident-driven decision-making.

In sum, the reviews paint a multi-faceted portrait: a beautiful, sociable, and safe 55+ community that residents are proud to call home, underpinned by a robust volunteer culture and strong neighborhood ties. Yet the same notes reveal a longing for greater personal freedom in property decisions, concerns over deer management and its governance, and dissatisfaction with the perceived pace and scope of maintenance and common-area improvements. For many, the appeal is undeniable, but the path forward calls for dialogue, renewed bylaws, and a governance model that respects individual homeowners while maintaining the community's convivial spirit and shared spaces. The verdict is a balanced blend of affection, concern, and a hopeful readiness to see the HOA and township better align with the expectations and values of long-time residents and new neighbors alike.

Physicians

• Atlantic Ent Assoc PA (2.1 miles)
• Renal Center (2.4 miles)
• Physician's Surgicenter (2.4 miles)
• Sinha Prabhat, MD (2.4 miles)
• Anil Kumar Sharma (2.5 miles)
• Dr Shah Office (2.5 miles)
• Ashok K Sinha (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• Community Surgical Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Burger King (2.8 miles)
• Applebee's (4 miles)
• McDonald's (4.2 miles)
• Office Restaurant & Lounge & Sushi Bar (4.5 miles)
• McDonald's (4.7 miles)
• Baker's Water Street Bar & Grille (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Community Medical Center For Kids & Family (3.1 miles)
• Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Toms River Lakehurst Road (3.9 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (5 miles)
• Lacey Diagnostic Imaging Center (7.8 miles)
• Southern Ocean Center For Health (8 miles)

Parks

• Jakes Branch County Park (4.2 miles)
• Gille Park (8.7 miles)

Transportation

• Toms River Bus Terminal (4.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church of Toms River (5.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.9 miles)