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 7 36 GULL ISLAND COUNTY PARK AND CONSERVATION AREA 419 Broadway, Point Pleasant Beach 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org All but a small parcel of land of this 48-acre tract is an island conservation area in the Manasquan River. It's a great place for a picnic lunch, bird watching, or fishing. HARTSHORNE WOODS PARK 300 Navesink Road, Middletown and 1402 Portland Road, Highlands (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com You'll feel many miles away from civilization as you travel the trails of this park. Features include group cabin camping (by reservation), cross coun- try ski trails, fishing in the Navesink River, and trails for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Adventure, exercise, and relaxation await you on the nineteen-mile trail system of this 787- acre park. It's the perfect place to escape the sounds of suburbia. A historic World War II naval gun from the Battleship New Jersey is now on permanent display as a part of the Battery Lewis restoration. HENRY HUDSON TRAIL Aberdeen/Keyport border to Atlantic Highlands, and Matawan to Freehold Activity Center: 945 Route 36 Leonardo, (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com This paved, ten-foot wide, 22-mile long trail is a former railroad right-of-way. It is relatively flat, traveling through both man-made and natural environments. Much of the trail is tree-lined, though some parts have views of surrounding wetlands, streams, and fields. The northern trail section runs ten miles (just north of and parallel to Route 36) from the Aberdeen/Keyport border at the intersection of Lloyd Road and Clark Street to the Leonardo section of Middletown/Atlantic Highlands border at Avenue D. Work is under- way to extend the Henry Hudson Trail another twelve miles to Freehold Borough. Currently, the trail runs four miles from Route 537 in Freehold to Stevenson Drive in Marlboro. The trail then resumes at Station Road in Marlboro and contin- ues for five miles to Church Street in Matawan. Future plans for the Trail include linking these two sections of trail and providing a connection to the original northern section of the Henry Hudson Trail. The park totals 100 acres. Note: Trail conditions are primitive and users should expect wet and muddy patches, with no alternate route around. HISTORIC WALNFORD 62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold (609) 259-6275 or (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com This 36-acre mill site is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. At the heart of the Crosswicks Creek Park, the site showcas- es over 200 years of social, technological, and environmental history. The beautiful landscape of field, woodland, and wetlands also contains the Gristmill, the Waln Home (built in 1772), and the historic Carriage House and Corn Crib entrance. Visitors can tour the grounds year-round; guided tours and historic talks are offered on a season- al basis. See also "Crosswicks Creek Park" and "Union Transportation Trail." HOLMDEL PARK AND HISTORIC LONGSTREET FARM 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel (732) 946-3758 or (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com This 572-acre park features hiking and fitness trails, fishing and skating ponds, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, a sledding hill, and more. Historic Longstreet Farm, located in the park, is a living history farm that maintains life as it was during the 1890s. Costumed interpreters work the farm as it was over a hundred years ago. Come see the 14-room farmhouse, live animals, agricultural fields, and barnyard! The park is also home to the David C. Shaw Arboretum, a 22-acre educational and horticultural display devoted to trees, shrubs, and other woody plants that grow in Monmouth County. Activities, guided tours, and children's programs are available. Open everyday except Christmas. The farmhouse is open only on weekends. 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, and the Environmental Center with hands-on nature displays. A visit to Huber Woods Park is the perfect opportunity to appre- ciate 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. ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK Shore Road, Island Beach (732) 793-0506 www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/ parks/island.html 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, fish- ing, canoeing, kayaking, picknicking, 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 avail- able 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 in the park highlights the beauty, history, and natural surroundings of the Pine Barrens. Breathtaking views of the seeming- ly endless pine forest can be taken in from the observation deck atop the Nature Center. Jakes Branch also offers soccer, baseball/softball, tennis, and basketball in addition to miles of nature trails. The tot lot, picnic grove, and open playing fields appeal to children of all ages. LAKE SHENANDOAH COUNTY PARK AND SPORTS FIELD COMPLEX 660 Ocean Avenue (Route 88) and 300 New Hampshire Avenue Lakewood, 1-877-OC PARKS www.oceancountyparks.org Tall oaks and pines surround gorgeous Lake Shenandoah, which is the focal point of this 143- acre park. Trout-stocked waters, accessible fishing piers, and an on-site bait-and-tackle shop with boat rentals make this spot perfect for freshwa- ter fishing, from land or water. There is a small boat launch (electric motors only), a conservation area, picnic area, playground, and bike trail. At the 84-acre sports field complex area, there are basketball courts, six soccer fields, and two softball fields, which are also available for use. (Pre-registration is required.) In the spring and fall, the fields are busy with local teams and excited onlookers. 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 situated on 194 acres of diverse coastal habitat adjacent to Barnegat Bay in Ocean Township, there are a variety of opportunities to explore the maritime forest, salt marsh, two tidal streams, and a freshwater 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 per- fect setting for groups to truly experience the natural wonders of Barnegat Bay through hands- on and meaningful contact with its resources. This former "Camp for the Blind" was purchased by PARKS & RECREATION AREAS continued from page 35 Huber Woods Park in Middletown. Ann V. Loftus

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