Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 38 FORT MONMOUTH RECREATION CENTER 2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls (848) 456-4278 or (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Formerly a part of the Fort Monmouth military base, this 21,000 square foot recreation center is the park system's first ever indoor recreation facility. "The Fort" has an impressive array of amenities, including a large outdoor pool, class- rooms, fitness rooms, gym, and game room. FRENEAU WOODS PARK 360 Monastery Lane, Aberdeen Township, (732) 842-4000 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Located along the headwaters of Matawan Creek and Lake Lefferts, this 155-acre park is comprised mostly of woodland. It protects critical wildlife habitat and bolsters water quality in the region. Both historically and environmentally significant, the park provides open space in a densely pop- ulated area of the county. The park is open for self-directed, passive recreation at the Greenwood Road access in Marlboro. Formal trails will be established throughout the park in the future. No restrooms or other facilities are open at this time. 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 Avenue, Locust (Buttermilk Valley Entrance); 1402 Portland Road, Highlands (Rocky Point Entrance); 239 Locust Avenue, Locust (Claypit Creek), (732) 872-0336 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 country 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, trav- eling through both man-made and natural environ- ments. 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 underway 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 con- tinues 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). PARKS & RECREATION AREAS continued from page 37 Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold Township. courtesy of Monmouth County Park System

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