Jersey Shore Magazine

j e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8 29 PARKS & RECREATION AREAS 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, Park: (732) 938-2371 Village: (732) 919-3500 www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/ parks/allaire.html www.allairevillage.org Please refer to page 18. 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 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 fishing, swimming, trails, birding, and picnicking. Historic "Old Barney" light¬house 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. BAYSHORE WATERFRONT PARK 719 Port Monmouth Road Port Monmouth, (732) 783-3033 or (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. BERKELEY ISLAND COUNTY PARK 399 Brennan Concourse Berkeley Township, 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org Situated on a scenic peninsula jutting out into the calm waters of Barnegat Bay, Berkeley Island County Park provides one of the best views of the bay in Ocean County. Its 25 acres feature a fami- ly-oriented sandy beach with protected bay bath- ing. The 100' crabbing/fishing pier is one of the County's most popular. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day sunning, swimming, or crabbing. Picnic area, grills, playground. CATTUS ISLAND COUNTY PARK AND COOPER ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard (off Fischer Blvd.), Toms River (732) 270-6960 or 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org The unspoiled beauty of nature is the main attrac- tion at Cattus Island County Park. For nature lovers, this 500-acre park offers panoramic bay views, hiking trails, a boardwalk through the wetlands, a conservation area, bird watching, continued on page 30 "Blue Sky and Sedges" by Linda Ramsay High Bar Harbor, NJ

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