Lake Horicon
South end of Lake Street
Lakehurst 08733
The Work Progress Administration created the 64-acre Lake Horicon from Hurricane
Branch of the Toms River. It is a traditional Pinelands ecosystem, complete with
an Atlantic white cedar grove, wetlands and abundant wildlife. A scenic nature
trail extends southward around the lake approximately seven tenths of a mile,
starting at the beach parking lot and dead-ending at a feeder stream. This
tranquil park has paved parking, a playground for children, a swimming beach, a
boat ramp for non-motorized craft and many beautiful vistas.
732-657-4141
Lakehurst Naval Base (Hindenburg Memorial)
Route 547, Lakehurst 08733
http://www.lakehurst.navy.mil
Although NAS Lakehurst will forever be remembered as the site of the Hindenburg
disaster, many other significant events have taken place there. It was the first
intercontinental airfield. the rigid airships Shenandoah, Los Angeles and Akron
all called the station home, as did many US Navy blimps. Hangar One was
completed in 1921 to house these craft. Hanger One is 224 feet high and is a
national historic monument. Free tours of the base are conducted the second
Saturday of each month, weather permitting. tours begin promptly at 9:15 and
last between 2 and 4 hours. Call 732-818-7520 or e-mail tourguide@nlhs.com for reservations. A
memorial plaque marks the exact spot where the Hindenburg crashed on May 6,
1937. Twenty-minute self-guided tours to the memorial site are available Monday
through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
732-323-2620
Lakehurst Historical Society
300 Center Street
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
The museum is located in Old St. John's Church, circa 1874, opposite the
Community Center (Firehouse) parking lot. It is open Wednesday and Sunday from
noon to 3:00 pm and all other days by calling 732-657-4271 or 732-657-7209 for
an appointment. In the museum are artifacts from the 1800 posh resort era,
including the Blue Comet Luxury train, the airships and an elite French girl's
school.
732-657-8864
Manchester Wildlife Management Area
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife
P.O. Box 400
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-259-2132
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw
A true piece of the Pine Barrens, the Manchester Wildlife Management Area is
2,396 acres of pitch-pine, scrub oak and cedar swamps. Dirt roads provide access
for mountain bikers, hikers and bird watchers. Hunters will find ample
opportunity for deer, small game and turkey hunting.
Whiting Wildlife Management Area
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife
P.O. Box 400
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-259-2132
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw
Located southeast of the town of Whiting, this tract features 1,200 acres of
upland pine-oak forests and lowland cedar swamps interspersed with fields. A
small pond provides limited warm water fishing and early season waterfowl
hunting. a network of dirt roads provides access for mountain biking, hiking and
birding. Deer, turkey and small game hunting opportunities exist.
Crossley Preserve
Crossley Road via Pinewald-Keswick (Rte 530)
Berkely Township
Natural Lands Trust
In the 1800's and early 1900's, the town of Crossley was the center of an active
clay-mining operation. today only ruins of the former town remain. this
1200-acre preserve includes pineland habitats such as pitch pine and scrub oak
uplands as well as Atlantic white cedar swamps and bogs. the preserve provides
prime habitat for several threatened and endangered plants and animals. Visitors
can access the area via Crossley road which dead-ends at a small parking area. A
1l6-mile self-guided nature trail begins at the parking lot.
609-984-1339
Forest Resource Education Center
370 Veterans Highway
Jackson 08527
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry
The center, run by the NJ forest Service, is an outdoor classroom that focuses
on the benefits of trees and forest. the Center has over 400 acres near the
head-waters of the Toms river. features include the ABC Arboretum, the NJ
forestry Learning Deck, the Project Learning Tree Trail and the state's Forest
Tree Nursery. Call to schedule a tour or receive a calendar of events.
732-928-0987
Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife
P.O. Box 400
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-259-2132
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw
This 12,369-acre Wildlife Management Area offers mountain biking, hiking,
horseback riding and birding opportunities on numerous dirt roads and unmarked
trails. A car top launch provides canoe and kayak access to a small lake that
supports warm water fish. Hunters will find shotgun, archery and rifles ranges
in addition to a dog training area. Numerous fields and wooded areas provide
hunting opportunities for a variety of small game, deer, turkey and waterfowl.
Lake Carasaljo Park
Route 9, Lakewood 08701
The focal point of this 67-acre municipal park is Lake Carasaljo, named for the
three daughters (Carol, Sally and Josephine) of Joseph W. Brick, land baron and
industrialist who owned the Bergen Iron Works, located across from what is now
Lake Carasaljo Park. The lake is a favorite local swimming spot is surrounded by
a five-mile hiking trail. Playground and picnic facilities are also available.
The park is connected by vehicle and foot bridges to Lake Manetta.
732-367-6737
Georgian Court College - Sister Mary Grace Arboretum,
Historic Gardens
Lakewood 08701
http://www.georgian.edu/arboretum/index.html
Four classically-designed gardens contain the unique botanical heritage of
the former Georgian Court estate and its gardens. An Italian Garden, Sunken
Garden and Formal Garden were all designed at the turn of the century for
railroad tycoon Jay Gould. The fourth garden is a serene Japanese Garden. The
gardens contain a large number of exotic plants species as well as a good
collection of plants native to the Pine Barrens.
732-364-2200 ext. 345
Turkey Swamp County Park
Georgia Road, Freehold Township
http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com
This 849 beautiful acres include a 17-acre lake for boating, bass and bluegill
fishing; miles of trail; an archery range; playgrounds; and camping facilities.
the lake offers winter ice-skating when ice is thick enough. Wooded campsites
with electrical and water service feature restrooms with showers and laundry.
732-842-4000
Copyright © 2001-
, Terry Muse
