On February 23, 1801, the New Jersey Legislature incorporated Howell Township, which is named for the third Governor of New Jersey, Richard Howell.
Howell Township is home to the Manasquan Reservoir. Not only is the reservoir a water source for nearby towns, it also serves as a park in the Monmouth County Park System. Inside the park, there is a playground and a wildlife reserve. There are also trails, a visitor's center, an environmental center, boating, and fishing areas. The trails in the park are open to walkers, runners, bicyclists, and horseback riders.
Throughout the year, the township hosts several events. In the spring, the township holds Easter in the Park and Movies in the Park. For Halloween, Howell has a Howell-o-ween Spooktacular and PAL Trunk or Treat. During December, there's the Letters From Santa program and a Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony.
If nature doesn't interest you, Howell has plenty of shopping. The township has a Walmart and the Lanes Mill Marketplace, which has a Target, Barnes & Noble, Lowes, Kohl's, and more. Howell is also close to the Freehold Raceway Mall and the Monmouth Mall. Those interested in traveling into New York City can conveniently catch an NJ Transit bus into the Port Authority.
For families with school-aged children, Howell has 12 township schools and Saint Veronica's, a Catholic school serving children in grades Pre-K to 8th. Howell's 12 schools consist of 9 elementary schools, serving grades K-5, and 3 middle schools for kids in grades 6-8. High school students in Howell attend the Freehold Regional High School District. Depending on their home address, students attend either Howell High School, Freehold Township High School, or Colts Neck High School. As part of the Freehold Regional High School, Howell High School houses two magnet programs, the Fine and Performing Arts Center for students interested in the entertainment industry and the Humanities program for students who excel in history and the liberal arts.