Long Beach Island Guidebook & Map

37 OCEAN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River, 1-877-OC PARKS www.co.ocean.nj.us/parks/Default.htm On 2,474 acres in sixteen parks, The Ocean County Dept. Of Parks & Recreation offers adults' and kids' programs, 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. Three parks offer swimming facilities: Ocean County Park in Lakewood, A. Paul King County Park in Stafford Township, and Berkeley Island County Park in Berkeley Township. The first two have beautiful, freshwater lakes and sandy beaches. The third is on the Barnegat Bay, also with a sandy beach. All three beaches are staffed with lifeguards from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily from mid-June until Labor Day (conditions permitting). All three locations also have playgrounds, restrooms, and picnic facilities. There is no charge to use any of the county facilities. Call for brochures and directions. use. Wildlife drive and trails are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Headquarters is open weekdays, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. ENO'S POND COUNTY PARK 330 East Lacey Road, Lacey Township 1-877-OC PARKS Eno's Pond County Park, the newest addition to Ocean County's parks, opened in the Autumn of 1998. Its 28 acres and surrounding area have a long and colorful history dating to the Colonial period. The observation decks overlook Eno's Pond (which was once used as a source of ice for a hotel on the site) and are a good vantage point for viewing some of the pond's residents and vis- itors. Eno's Pond County Park is adjacent to part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Lacey Extension, and both entities are working to develop a trail system between the two prop- erties. Conservation area, handicap accessible, open playing fields, nature trails, picnic area/ grills, playground, restrooms, volleyball. FLORENCE T. ALLEN CONSERVATION AREA 110 Chelsea Avenue Berkeley Township, 1-877-OC PARKS FREEDOM FIELDS COUNTY PARK 874 Route 539 Little Egg Harbor Township 1-877-OC PARKS or (732) 506-9090 Active recreation is the theme at this new park. Soccer, softball, and baseball fields have been developed to meet the needs of the expanding population of Southern Ocean County. Picnic areas, hiking trails, rest rooms. JAKES BRANCH COUNTY PARK AND NATURE CENTER 1100 Double Trouble Road Beachwood, (732) 281-2750 www.ocean.nj.us/Parks/jakesbranch. html Known as "The Gateway to the Pines," Jakes Branch County Park offers a balance of active and passive recreation opportunities. The nature center in the park highlights the beauty, history, and natural surroundings of the Pine Barrens. Breathtaking views of the seemingly endless Pine Barrens can be taken in from the observa- tion deck perched atop the nature center. Jakes Branch also offers soccer, baseball/softball, ten- nis, and basketball in addition to miles of nature trails. The tot lot, picnic grove, and open playing fields appeal to children of all ages. THE LIGHTHOUSE CENTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION 7th Street and Navajo Drive Waretown, (609) 698-8003 www.experiencebarnegatbay.org Owned by the Division of Fish and Wildlife and sit- uated on 194 acres of diverse coastal habitat adja- cent to Barnegat Bay in Ocean Township, there are a variety of opportunities to explore the maritime forest, salt marsh, two tidal streams, and a fresh- water impoundment on this unique site. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist for shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and woodland wildlife including fiddler crabs, songbirds, otter, turtles, deer, and fox. The Lighthouse Center is the perfect setting Continued on page 38 A snowy egret takes flight at the Holgate Unit of the Edwin B. Forsythe National wildlife refuge. RitchVision Photography

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