Barnegat Branch Trail The Barnegat Branch Trail was officially opened to the public on October 15, 2007. This “rail-to-trail” project follows the abandoned Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The trail, which is being constructed in several phases, will stretch 15.6 miles from Barnegat to Toms River once completed. Cedar Bridge Tavern 5 acres 200 Old Halfway Road, Barnegat The tavern’s two-hundred-year history as a hub for locals and crossroads for travelers has earned it a position on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The tavern is closed to the general public while Ocean County implements its historic preservation plan to learn about the site, protect its delicate structure and preserve its unique story for the future. The grounds, surrounded by Bass River State Forest, are currently open to the public. A ceremony commemorating a rumored American Revolutionary skirmish on December 27th, 1782, is held at the site each year on the nearest Sunday. 22 www.sparkexploreocean.com OCEAN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION The Department of Parks & Recreation now safeguards more than four thousand acres of land which is dedicated to the enjoyment of our citizens and the conservation of open space. This impressive acreage includes twenty parks, four conservation areas, and two golf courses. The county also sponsors events and programming for the general public year-round, including fishing tournaments, yard sales, battle reenactments, the Annual Decoy and Gunning Show, golf tournaments and the latest trend with Ocean County recreation, Yappy Hours, where owners and their dogs can socialize leash-free. To find out additional information about the follow Parks, call 877- OC PARKS or go to www.co.ocean.nj.us/OCParks. Cloverdale Farm County Park 90 acres 34 Cloverdale Road, Barnegat Cloverdale Farm County Park has been an active, working cranberry farm since the late 1800s. A 1.4-mile self-guided nature trail runs through the farm into undisturbed woodlands offering a serene hiking experience for all levels. The natural beauty of the property attracts photographers and nature lovers year-round. The Nature Center is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and some weekdays. To schedule a group education program, please call 609-607-1861. Lochiel Creek County Park 177 acres Bay Shore Drive, Barnegat This hidden gem covers over 177 acres of forests and wetlands in Barnegat Township. Amenities include a comfort station with restrooms, ample parking and a 1.75-mile marked nature trail. One of the trail’s unusual highlights is a path that winds past rolling hills of relic sand dunes from when the area was a prehistoric beach. The trail also crosses Lochiel Creek, which harbors populations of rare wildflowers, strange carnivorous plants, waterfowl and other elusive wildlife. The parking area serves as a trailhead where visitors can access the 6.5 contiguous miles of the Barnegat Branch Trail via a short connector trail. Jakes Branch County Park 400 acres 1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood 732-281-2750 “The Gateway to the Pines,” Jakes Branch County Park and Nature Center highlight the beauty, history and natural surroundings of the Pine Barrens through informational exhibits, live animals and environmental programs. Breathtaking views of the surrounding Pine Barrens forest can be taken in from the observation deck perched 5-stories atop the nature center. Jakes Branch also offers families the opportunity to picnic, play sports, visit the playground, or hike and bike more than 8 miles of nature trails. Berkeley Island County Park 25 acres 399 Brennan Concourse, Berkeley Township Situated on a scenic peninsula jutting out into the calm waters of Barnegat Bay, Berkeley Island County Park’s location provides possibly the best view of the Bay in Ocean County. It also features a family-oriented beach, complete with warm sand and protected bay bathing. The crabbing/fishing pier at the park is one of the county’s most popular. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day sunning, swimming or crabbing from the 100’ pier. Berkeley Island County Park is also the park location for the Annual Beach Bash. Photo courtesy of Ocean County Parks & Recreation
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