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 2 2 44 PARKS & RECREATION AREAS continued from page 43 Public Golf Courses Ocean County BEY LEA GOLF COURSE 1536 North Bay Avenue, Toms River, (732) 349-0566 CEDAR CREEK AT BERKELEY Tilton Boulevard, Bayville, (732) 269-4460 www.golfcedarcreek.com EAGLE RIDGE GOLF CLUB 2 Augusta Boulevard, Lakewood, (732) 901-4900 www.EagleRidgeGolf.com LAKEWOOD COUNTRY CLUB 145 County Club Drive, Lakewood, (732) 364-8899 www.lakewoodcountryclubnj.com OCEAN ACRES COUNTRY CLUB 925 Buccaneer Lane, Manahawkin, (609) 597-9393 www.oceanacrescc.com OCEAN COUNTY GOLF COURSE AT ATLANTIS Cuisine On The Green Restaurant 261 Country Club Boulevard, Little Egg Harbor Twp. (609) 294-2444 www.oceancountyparks.org OCEAN COUNTY GOLF COURSE AT FORGE POND 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, (732) 920-8899 www.oceancountyparks.org SEA OAKS COUNTRY CLUB 99 Gold View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, (609) 296-2656 www.seaoakscc.com Monmouth County BEL-AIRE GOLF CLUB 3120 Allaire Road at Route 34, Wall, (732) 449-6024 www.monmouthcountyparks.com CHARLESTON SPRINGS GOLF COURSE 101 Woodville Road, Millstone, (732) 409-7227 www.monmouthcountyparks.com CRUZ FARM COUNTRY CLUB 55 Birdsall Road, Farmingdale, (732) 938-3378 www.cruzgolfcc.com GAMBLER RIDGE GOLF CLUB Burlington Path Road, Cream Ridge, (609) 758-3588 www.gamblerridge.com HOMINY HILL GOLF COURSE 92 Mercer Road, Colts Neck, (732) 462-9222 www.monmouthcountyparks.com HOWELL PARK GOLF COURSE 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Howell (732) 938-4771 www.monmouthcountyparks.com OLD ORCHARD COUNTRY CLUB 54 Monmouth Road, Eatontown, (732) 542-7666 www.oldorchardcountryclub.org PEBBLE CREEK GOLF COURSE 40 Route 537 East, Colts Neck, (732) 303-9090 www.pebblecreekgolfclub.com PINE BROOK GOLF COURSE 1 Covered Bridge Blvd., Manalapan, (732) 536-7272 www.monmouthcountyparks.com SHARK RIVER GOLF COURSE 320 Old Corlies Avenue, Neptune, (732) 992-4141 www.monmouthcountyparks.com SPRING MEADOW GOLF COURSE 4181 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, (732) 449-0806 www.springmeadowgc.com TWIN BROOK GOLF CENTER 1251 Jumping Brook Road, Tinton Falls, (732) 922-1600 www.twinbrookgolfcenter.com WILLIAM F. LARKIN GOLF COURSE AT COLONIAL TERRACE 1003 Wickapecko Drive, Ocean Twp., (732) 775-3636 www.ColonialTerraceGolf.com OCEAN COUNTY PARK 659 Ocean Avenue (Route 88), Lakewood 1-877-OC PARKS or (732) 506-9090 Park Naturalist: (732) 506-5122 www.oceancountyparks.org This magnificent 323-acre facility in Lakewood has a rich and fascinating history. The park was origi- nally part of financier John D. Rockefeller's vacation estate. White pine, hemlock, and other unique specimen trees, now mature, were imported by Rockefeller from all over the country. Fitness and bike trails, open playing fields, tennis courts, beach volleyball, canoeing, fishing, and even a driving range, all free of charge, appeal to adults of all ages. Children will delight in using the playgrounds or swimming in the large, clean lake on hot sum- mer days. Ocean County Park has a large, acces- sible picnic facility. Reservations are available for a nominal fee for up to 600 persons. Warm weather isn't the only time to enjoy this park. Transformed into a lovely and silent winter wonderland after a snowfall, it's a great site for cross-country skiing. Of course, there is no charge for casual use of the park, the beach, or its many facilities. An off-leash dog park area is also available. Yearly fee applies. Visit website for details. SANDY HOOK: GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, SANDY HOOK UNIT SANDY HOOK LIGHTHOUSE FORT HANCOCK HISTORIC DISTRICT SANDY HOOK VISITOR'S CENTER Off Route 36, Highlands, (732) 872-5970 www.nps.gov/gate Friends of the National Park Service at Sandy Hook: www.sandyhookfoundation.com The Sandy Hook region of the Gateway National Recreation Area features seven miles of beaches (with lifeguards in summer), evening beach concerts, hiking trails, salt marshes, and over three hundred species of birds. Ranger (and self-guided) tours are available year-round. The park is open daily, sunrise to sunset. Located near the tip of this seven-mile barrier peninsula, is the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Built at the request of New York merchants wanting to protect their ships entering the harbor, it was lighted for the first time on June 11, 1764. The octagonal tower was the fifth light- house in the colonies and remains the oldest oper- ating lighthouse in the U.S. today. The Lighthouse was occupied by British soldiers during the American Revolution and was bombarded by can- nons served by Patriot troops. It was also the sanc- tuary to local refugees who were sympathizers of the King. While there, also visit the Fort Hancock Historic District. Built in 1898, Fort Hancock includes gun batteries and over one hundred build- ings. Start your visit at the Fort Hancock Post Museum; then visit History House, an 1890s offi- cers' home. Special use fees for beach parking are charged, while entry to the historic district is free. The Sandy Hook Visitor's Center is located at the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters in Fort Hancock. It features exhibits on the peninsula's natural envi- ronment. An 1894 U.S. Life-Saving Station at Spermaceti Cove was closed after Superstorm Sandy and is currently not open to the public. The park is open 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily, except by permit. Due to COVID, Sandy Hook Lighthouse and the onsite buildings are closed until further notice. This includes the Fort Hancock Post Museum, History House, and Lighthouse Keepers Quarters and Visitor Center. Outdoor visitor engagement will continue through outdoor roving interpretation and informal interpretive pop-ups. Limited ranger programs have resumed. Visit the website and events calendar to find out more. SEVEN PRESIDENTS OCEANFRONT PARK 221 Ocean Avenue North, Long Branch (732) 229-7025 or (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com This 38-acre park was named to honor seven pres- idents who vacationed in the immediate area. In the summer, its guarded beach is a great place to swim, sun, and surf. During the off-season, it is a nice place for a quiet walk. Park features include an activity center, access to launch personal watercraft, fishing, a playground, swimming, sand volley- ball, pavilion with snack bar, and restrooms. New improvements include a regulation in-line skating rink, a skate park, a shelter, and parking area. The park is open every day from 8:00 AM to dusk. TURKEY SWAMP PARK 200 Georgia Road, Freehold Township (732) 462-7286 or (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Turkey Swamp features 2,281 acres including a 17-acre lake for fishing, boating, and skating. Fish for bass, catfish, or bluegills either from the shore or from canoes and paddleboats that you can rent in summer. The lake offers winter ice-skating when the ice is thick enough. Nine miles of multi-use and fitness trails traverse the park, which is located at the northern end of the Pine Barrens. Turkey Swamp's terrain is relatively level and the lake adds scenic interest. There is also an archery range and play- grounds. Get back to nature by spending the night at the family campground or reserve a picnic shelter for your next big group picnic. The family camp- ground offers campsites, electrical service, water service (April 1 - November 15), drinking water, mod- ern restroom with hot showers and laundry, a self serve sanitary dump station for campers with holding tanks, fire rings for charcoal cooking and campfires, picnic tables, and a children's playground. Check website for up-to-date boat rental and camping fees. WELLS MILLS COUNTY PARK AND NATURE CENTER 905 Wells Mills Road (Route 532), Waretown (609) 971-3085 or 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org Wells Mills has the distinction of being the largest park in the Ocean County Park System, with over 900 acres of pine and oak forest within south- ern New Jersey's environmental marvel, the Pine Barrens. Miles of hiking trails, with varying degrees of difficulty, can be found here, including a visu- ally impaired persons trail. The three-story Nature Center offers a great display floor, a library, and the third floor Elizabeth Meirs Morgan Observation Deck. Environmental programs and classes, with experienced naturalists, are held regularly. The annual "Pine Barrens Jamboree" held each October is an event not to be missed. Beautiful Wells Mills Lake has trails meandering around it, and is perfect for a leisurely stroll through the Pine Barrens. Bike trails, canoe rentals (seasonal), conservation area, fishing, Nature Center, open playing fields, picnic area, playground, restrooms. u DemetriK2 Fort Hancock Historic District, Sandy Hook.

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