Jersey Shore Magazine

j e r s e y s h o r e • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 27 continued on page 28 MONMOUTH COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Please refer to page 18. Over 16,175 acres of preserved open spaces are available for your fitness and relaxing pleasure at more than thirty county parks. From hiking trails and campsites to golf courses and historic sites, there are opportunities for all. Visit us on-line or call for bro- chures and directions. OCEAN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River,1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org Please refer to page 20. On more than 4,000 acres in twenty-seven facilities, The Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation offers programs for adults and children including classes, sports events, trips, festivals, and more! All of the parks have at least a few picnic tables, and some parks are able to accommodate large groups. Two parks offer swimming facilities: Ocean County Park in Lakewood and A. Paul King County Park in Stafford Township have beautiful, freshwater lakes and sandy beaches, playgrounds, restrooms, picnic facilities, and are staffed with lifeguards from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily from mid-June until Labor Day (conditions per- mitting). There is no charge to use any of the county facilities. Call or visit the website above for brochures and directions. FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION Before heading out to fish, make sure you have the proper documentation. SALTWATER registration (free): www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/index.html FRESHWATER license information and registration (fee applies): www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishneed.htm HUBER WOODS PARK 25 Brown's Dock Road, Locust section of Middletown, (732) 872-2670 or (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Enjoy a fabulous view of the Navesink River and relax as you get away from it all on one of the trails. This park features 366 acres of forest and meadows. Other attractions include eight miles of multi-use trails, the Environmental Center with hands-on nature displays, and the newly renovat- ed Reptile House where visitors can see and learn about a variety of native reptiles and amphibians. A visit to Huber Woods Park is the perfect opportunity to appreciate facets of nature that are often taken for granted. Take time amid the scenic beauty and panoramic views to observe the small things—the sounds, smells, lights and shadows, and subtle hints of seasonal changes. Relax in a meadow or take a walk along a wooded trail. Each experience will enhance your appreciation of the fascinating natural world around you. Check online for a schedule of year-round educational programs. ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK Shore Road, Island Beach, (732) 793-0506 www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ island.html Friends of Island Beach State Park: www.friendsofibsp.org One of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the North Atlantic, Island Beach State Park stretches for ten miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the historic Barnegat Bay. Over 3,000 acres of pure beauty offer habitat to maritime plants and diverse wildlife, including New Jersey's largest osprey colony. Bathing areas, food, botanical preserve, trails, natural areas, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, the Sedge Island Conservation Zone, and the Emily DeCamp Interpretive Center. Open Mon. - Fri. 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Sat., Sun., and holidays 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Access to fishing in the park is 24 hours-a-day. Mobile sportfishing vehicle permits are available through the Park's Visitor Contact Station at the entrance gate. Please check the website for current entrance fees (charged by vehicle). JAKES BRANCH COUNTY PARK AND NATURE CENTER 1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood (732) 281-2750 or 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org Known as "The Gateway to the Pines," the 400- acre Jakes Branch County Park offers a balance of active and passive recreation opportunities. The Nature Center highlights the beauty, history, and natural surroundings of the Pine Barrens and offers recreational and environmental education programs year-round. Breathtaking views of the seemingly endless pine forest can be taken in from the obser- vation deck atop the Nature Center. Jakes Branch also offers soccer, baseball/softball, tennis, and basketball in addition to miles of nature trails and a discovery playtrail. JOHN C. BARTLETT, JR. COUNTY PARK AT BERKELEY ISLAND 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, John C. Bartlett, Jr. County Park's location provides one of the best views of the bay in Ocean County. Reconfigured and reconstructed after Superstorm Sandy, the park's 25 acres feature a family-oriented spray park, playground, walking paths, small picnic area, bit stations, and more. The 100-foot crabbing and fish- ing pier is one of the County's most popular. Bring within the park is Battleview Orchards. From May to October, they offer pick-your-own strawberries (end of May), sour cherries (end of June), peaches and nectarines (mid-to-late July), apples (September), and pumpkins (October). A country store is open all year. The Applegate family, who has been farming the area since 1908, own and operate the Orchards. Visit www.battlevieworchards.com or call (732) 462- 0756 or (732) 462-0970 for picking hours and more information. MOUNT MITCHILL SCENIC OVERLOOK 460 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Highlands (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com This is the Jersey Shore's highest point—266 feet above sea level—and is the second highest point on the Atlantic seaboard (after Maine's Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park). The overlook's 12 acres offer spectacular views of Sandy Hook, Raritan Bay, and the NYC skyline and features picnic tables and a playground. Mount Mitchill is home to Monmouth County's 9/11 Memorial, a tribute to the 147 men and women born, raised, or residing in Monmouth County who lost their lives in the ter- rorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Manasquan Reservoir. Andy Kazie a picnic lunch and spend the day sunning, fishing, or crabbing. Picnic area, grills, playground, pavilion, horseshoe pits, bocce courts. MANASQUAN RESERVOIR Park and Visitor Center: 311 Windeler Road Howell, (732) 919-0996 or (732) 842-4000 Environmental Center: 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell, (732) 751-9453 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Please refer to the listing under "Attractions & Activities, Boat Rides." This popular recreation area sits on a 770-acre res- ervoir and features 1,208-acres of land and water. Hike or bike its 5.1-mile perimeter trail or walk its 1.1-mile nature trail through woods and wetlands. For boating or fishing, rent or put in your own canoe, kayak, rowboat, or electric powered row- boat. There are daily or seasonal ramp fees. The res- ervoir is open year-round for fishing and is stocked with large and small-mouth bass, hybrid striped bass, tiger muskie, bullhead catfish, and panfish species. A state fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and over. Or tour the reservoir on a thirty-six foot pontoon boat with a park naturalist who will introduce you to the area's plants and wildlife. Forty minute weekend tours are available from Memorial Day to the end of September. $6. for adults and $4. for twelve and under. There are also picnic areas, a playground, and a visitor's center with boat and bicycle rentals, a bait shop, vending machines, and a bicycle repair station. In the winter, depending upon weather conditions, the reservoir is open for ice skating, ice boating, and ice fishing. Be sure to visit the Environmental Center at 331 Georgia Tavern Road. It provides experiences of learning and discovery of wetland ecology and wildlife as well as habitat protection. It is open daily 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM with free admission. MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD AND MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK 16 Business Route 33, Manalapan (732) 462-9616 www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ monbat.html Friends of Monmouth Battlefield: www.friendsofmonmouth.org One of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place on the fields and in the forests that now make up Monmouth Battlefield State Park. This is where Molly Pitcher became famous, and it was on Monmouth Battlefield that General Washington and General Sir Henry Clinton faced each other. This victory convinced the British that the revolutionaries were a force to contend with and not just a ragtag rabble. This is also the setting for the historic Craig House, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse (See Historic Sites & Museums.) You can learn more about the rich histo- ry of Monmouth Battlefield through its award-win- ning Visitors Center and wayside exhibits located on Perrine Hill, Combs Hill, and the Hedgerow. The park preserves a splendid, rural 18th-century land- scape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encom- passes miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. There are picnic areas, playgrounds, trails, birding, and sledding and cross-country skiing in winter. Also

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