Jersey Shore Magazine

j e r s e y s h o r e • S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 39 PARKS & RECREATION AREAS "Jersey Shore Whimsy" by Vincent Nardone, Brick, NJ For more Parks, Recreation Areas, Trails, & Scenic Overlooks, please visit www.jerseyshorevacation.com. A. PAUL KING COUNTY PARK 2 West Bay Avenue (junction of Routes 9 and 72), Stafford Township 1-877-OCPARKS www.oceancountyparks.org Situated on lovely Manahawkin Lake, this 48-acre park lies nestled in the heart of Stafford Township. It offers a variety of recreation possibilities, includ- ing beach volleyball, a brightly colored children's playground, a large picnic area shaded by a stand of pines, and a protected sandy swimming beach open from mid-June through Labor Day in September. Basketball court, horseshoes, fishing, restrooms, handicapped accessible. ALLAIRE STATE PARK THE HISTORIC VILLAGE AT ALLAIRE 4263 Atlantic Avenue (Route 524) Farmingdale, (732) 938-2371 www.allairevillage.org This park boasts a restored early-nineteenth-centu- ry bog iron mining community. You'll find picnick- ing, playgrounds, campsites, walking and riding trails, a Nature Center, general store, living history, and the Pine Creek Railroad steam trains. See also "The Historic Village At Allaire" under "Historic Sites & Museums." BARNEGAT BRANCH TRAIL COUNTY PARK Burr Street in Barnegat Township to Station Drive in Lacey Township 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org On October 15, 2007, the Barnegat Branch Trail was officially opened to the public. This "rail-to- trail" project follows the abandoned Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The trail is made up of several phases, and will stretch 15.6 miles from Barnegat to Toms River once completed. The paved trail offers won- derful views of nature and wildlife and is perfect for walking, hiking, biking, and in-line skating. The following sections are complete: Phases I, II, IV, and V: 6.75 miles, from Burr Street in Barnegat to Station Drive in Lacey, with parking in Barnegat on Memorial Drive and Barnegat Boulevard; in Ocean Township on Country Lane and Railroad Avenue; and in Lacey on Old Shore Road. Phase II: two miles, from Cedar Creek to Maryland Avenue in Berkeley Township, with parking in Berkeley at William J. Dudley Park on Route 9, Serpentine Drive and Princeton Avenue, and Railroad Avenue and Maryland Avenue. Municipal Trail: 1 mile, from Railroad Avenue to Atlantic City Boulevard in Beachwood. BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK Route 72, Long Beach Island (732) 494-2016 www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/ parks/barnlig.html A one time hideout of Captain Kidd and his pirates, this panoramic beach now offers fish- ing, swimming, trails, birding, and picnicking. Historic "Old Barney" lighthouse is here, too, and you can learn the story behind the lighthouse at the Interpretive Center. Park open daily 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Lighthouse open daily Memorial Day - Labor Day, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Lighthouse admission: ages 12 and older: $3.; children 6 to 11: $1. BAYSHOLM TRACT 351 Burlington Road Freehold Township, (732) 842-4000 or (732) 431-4664 www.monmouthcountyparks.com This 71-acre site is being preserved in its natural state. Designated as "open lands," it is undevel- oped with no facilities and limited access. Open lands may serve to protect areas of scenic beauty or a natural habitat as well as enhance public health and water quality protection. BAYSHORE WATERFRONT PARK 719 Port Monmouth Road Port Monmouth, (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com At 228 acres, this scenic park is home to a 495- foot fishing pier, the historic Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center (the Seabrook-Wilson House), and beautiful views of the Raritan Bay and the NYC skyline. Beach access, salt marshes, boating, fishing, birding, picknicking. BEAVER DAM CREEK COUNTY PARK 3430 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org This expertly groomed 40-acre park has something for everyone! Take a leisurely stroll along Beaver Dam Creek's boardwalk through tidal wetlands, seemingly miles from civilization. Enjoy a picnic under the pavilion while the kids cavort on one of two playgrounds. Or, engage in your favorite sport on 6 acres of playing fields. Two superb tennis courts and a basketball court are also available for use. continued on page 40

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