28 www.sparkexploreocean.com
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
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 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 27, 1782, is held at
the site each year on the nearest Sunday.
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 conservation of
open space and the enjoyment of its citizens. 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 more about the following Parks, call
877-OC PARKS or visitwww.oceancountyparks.org.
Photo courtesy of Ocean County Parks and Recreation
Cattus Island County Park
Take in the unspoiled beauty of Cattus Island County Park in Toms
River, which spans 530 acres and includes seven miles of trails. The
Park features a newly constructed boardwalk that winds 1000 feet
through the marsh. The boardwalk is accessible for wheelchairs and
strollers and provides a great opportunity for visitors to view wildlife
along the Barnegat Bay. Take a leisurely stroll along the main trail
to the beach, or walk one of the wooded trails to enjoy the solitude
of the park. The park provides opportunities for great hiking, biking,
cross-country skiing and photography in any season.
Cattus Island County Park is also home to the newly renovated
Cooper Environmental Center, where visitors of all ages will enjoy
hands-on educational displays highlighting the natural beauty of
the Barnegat Bay. Exhibits include a live-view osprey cam, habitat
tree and tunnel, bird viewing area, osprey nest lookout, children’s
activity corner and a spectacular collection of live reptiles and fish.
During the warmer months, a visit to Butterfly Gardens surrounding
the Cooper Environmental Center highlights colorful native plants,
butterflies and hummingbirds.
Cattus Island County Park is open seven days a week from dawn
until dusk. Facilities include nature trails, scenic boardwalks, picnic
areas, restrooms and playground. The Cooper Environmental Center
is open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and weekends from
10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information on upcoming events
and activities, visit www.oceancountyparks.org or call 732-270-6960.
Photo courtesy of Ocean County Parks and Recreation
