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Cloverdale Farm County Park
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 yearround.
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
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
1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood
732-281-2750
“The Gateway to the Pines,” Jakes
Branch County Park and Nature Center
highlights 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 up at 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.
John C. Bartlett Jr. County Park at
Berkeley Island
399 Brennan Concourse, Berkeley Twp.
This popular park sustained catastrophic
damage to its infrastructure and many of
its amenities during Superstorm Sandy in
October 2012. The redevelopment of the
park comes with a host of new features,
including larger restroom facilities, a
parking area with ADA accommodations
and improved lighting, accessible walking
and biking paths, a picnic pavilion,
a shaded seating area for taking in
spectacular views, and the first county-run
splash park. To repair both storm damage
and long-term erosion, the bay shoreline is
being rebuilt back to where it was in 1977
with stones and native seaside plants.
The living shoreline will help reduce future
erosion while allowing for natural tidal
exchange.
Mill Creek County Park
111 Chelsea Avenue, Berkeley Twp.
Mill Creek County Park is between Pine
Beach and Ocean Gate. Cedar chip trails,
Mill Creek itself, and three playgrounds
make this a scenic and inviting park. It’s
the perfect spot for a family picnic under
the pavilion or at one of several secluded
picnic tables.
Robert J. Miller Airpark
901 Route 530, Berkeley Twp.
Home of the renowned annual Ocean
County Fair, the grounds are perfect for the
many vendors, amusements, entertainers,
4-H Clubs and visitors that make the fair
a local highlight. The park also has a
playground, an off-leash dog park and
picnic area and is the site of a local,
independently managed airport.
Florence T. Allen Conservation Area
110 Chelsea Ave., Berkeley Twp.
This conservation area consists of cedar
swamp and uplands bordering Mill Creek.
These wetlands protect the creek as it
flows into the Toms River.
Photo courtesy of Ocean County Parks and Recreation
/www.sparkexploreocean.com
