Ocean County, New Jersey

Education & Library

Education & Library

College and Universities in Ocean County

Georgian Court University

Ocean County College

Library

Ocean County Library

Parks

Island Beach State Park
2401 Central Ave.
Seaside Park, NJ 08752

John C. Bartlett, Jr County Park at Berkeley Island
399 Brennan Concourse
Berkeley Township, NJ

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.

Facilities:

Crabbing, fishing, handicapped accessible, horseshoes, picnic area, grills, playground, restrooms, swimming, covered pavilion. Reserved picnic areas available (fee)(limit 75 persons).

Mill Creek County Park
111 Chelsea Avenue
Berkeley Township, NJ

Mill Creek County Park is located in Berkeley Township between Pine Beach and Ocean Gate.  Cedar chip trails, the Mill Creek and the Toms River beyond, 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. Facilities:

Basketball, conservation area, handicapped accessible, pavilion, picnic area, grills, playgrounds, restrooms, trails.

Robert Miller County Park
901 Route 530
Berkeley Township, NJ

Home of the renowned Ocean County Fair held each July, the grounds are perfect for the many vendors, amusements, entertainers, 4-H clubs and visitors who make the Fair an annual highlight.  The park also has a playground and picnic area and is the site of a local, independently-managed airport.

Facilities:

Conservation area, cross-country skiing, handicapped accessible, open playing fields, pavilion, picnic area, restrooms.

Cattus Island County Park
1170 Cattus Island Blvd
Toms River, NJ 08753

The unspoiled beauty of nature is the main attraction at Cattus Island County Park.  This environmentally sensitive park spans almost 500 acres and boasts miles of trails, many offering lovely vistas of the adjacent Silver Bay.  Cattus Island is home to the Cooper Environmental Center, where visitors of all ages will enjoy our many displays and collections of snakes and reptiles, as well as numerous programs and presentations run by our professional staff.  One of its most popular programs is the Junior Naturalist , which encourages young environmentalists to partake in hands-on activities at the Cooper Environmental Center. 

PARK HOURS - SEVEN DAYS A WEEK - DAWN - DUSK
COOPER ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER HOURS - SEVEN DAYS A WEEK - 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Facilities:

Birding, boardwalk through wetlands, conservation area, environmental education site, crabbing, cross-country skiing, fishing, handicap-accessible, nature trails, picnic area, playground, restrooms, scenic overlooks.

Parks Administrative Offices
1198 Brandon Road
Toms River, NJ 08753

Situated on the Silver Bay, this beautiful site on the Silver Bay is the home of the Ocean County Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices.  Here the administrative staff plans and supervises the numerous activities sponsored by the Department under county parks and recreation leadership.  These activities include recreational and educational programs, a summer concert series, environmental programs, sports programs, arts and crafts classes, and trips to a variety of events and locales.  Additionally, numerous programs and classes for both adults and children are held here in our spacious  and fully accessible program room.  During summer months, our pontoon boat, the "Betty C", is docked here for free ecological tours of the Silver and Barnegat Bay area.

Facilities:

Conservation Area, Handicap Accessible, Picnic Area, Program Room, Registration Desk, Restrooms.

Riverfront Landing County Park
Water Street
Toms River, NJ 08753

Located on the River in downtown Toms River amidst a beautiful and tranquil environment.  For those employed in and around Toms River, a picnic at this meticulously manicured park overlooking the Toms River is a great lunchtime alternative.

Facilities:

Benches, crabbing, fishing, handicap accessible, picnic area.

Patriots' Field Sports Complex
486 Bowman Road
Jackson Township, NJ

Soccer and softball fields abound on this beautifully maintained sports facility, as do shuffleboard, boccie and basketball courts, horseshoe pits and a fitness trail.

Facilities:

Basketball, bike trail, boccie, conservation area, cross-country skiing, handicap accessible, horseshoes, picnic area, playground, restrooms, shuffleboard, soccer, softball and a fitness trail (app. 1 mile).

Eno's Pond County Park
East Lacey Road
Lacey Township, NJ

Eno's Pond and surrounding area have a long and colorful history dating to the Colonial period.  The observation decks overlook Eno's Pond, which was used as a source of ice for a hotel once on the site and now is a good vantage point for viewing some of the pond's residents and visitors. Eno's Pond County Park is adjacent to part of the Edwin B. Fosythe National Wildlife Refuge Lacey Extension, and both entities are working to develop a trail system between the two properties.

Facilities:

Conservation area, handicap accessible, open playing fields, nature trails, observation decks, picnic areas/grills, playground, restrooms, and volleyball.

Lake Shenandoah County Park
Route 88 (Ocean Avenue)
Lakewood, NJ

Tall oaks and pines surround the gorgeous 100-acre Lake Shenandoah, which is the focal point of this park.  Trout-stocked waters, accessible fishing piers and an on-site bait-and-tackle shop with boat rentals make this spot perfect for freshwater fishing, from land or water.

Facilities:

Bike trail, boat rental, conservation area, fishing, handicap accessibility,  picnic area, restrooms, small boat launch (electric motors only).

Ocean County Park
659 Ocean Avenue
Lakewood, NJ

Ocean County Park was originally part of Financier John D. Rockefeller's vacation estate.  White pine, hemlock and other unique specimen trees, now mature, were imported by Rockefeller from all over the country.  Tennis courts, open play fields, beach volleyball and even a driving range, all free of charge, appeal to adults of all ages, and children will delight in using the playgrounds or swimming in the large, clean swimming lake on hot summer days. 

Facilities:

Bike trail, cross-country skiing, driving range, fishing, fitness trail, handicap accessible, open playing fields, picnic area, playgrounds, restrooms, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, tennis courts, volleyball.

Shenandoah County Field Sports Complex
Route 88 (Ocean Avenue)
Lakewood, NJ

Six soccer and and two softball fields await the visitor to this field sports complex, where any Spring or Fall afternoon will find fields busy with local teams and excited onlookers.

Facilities:

Basketball, bike trail, handicap accessible, playground, restrooms, soccer, softball

Freedom Fields
Route 539
Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Soccer, softball and baseball fields have been developed to meet the needs of the expanding population of Southern Ocean County.

Facilities:

Softball Fields, Soccer Fields, Little League Fields, Picnic Areas, Hiking Trails & Rest Rooms

Wells Mills County Park
905 Wells Mills Road (County 532)
Waretown, NJ

The largest park in the Ocean County park system with over 900 acres of pine and oak forest within southern New Jersey's environmental marvel known as the Pine Barrens.  Miles of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty can be found here, including a "VIP" (Visually Impaired Persons) Trail.

The three-story Nature Center offers a great display floor, a library, and the third floor "Elizabeth Meirs Morgan Observation Deck", recently dedicated in honor of a very active naturalist and conservationist in Ocean County.

Environmental programs and classes are held regularly at Wells Mills, with experienced naturalists available to answer any questions you may have about the ecology of this area.The monthly "Full Moon Hikes" are but one of the popular events taking place here.

The Annual "Pine Barrens Jamboree" is held at Wells Mills each October.  A day filled with music, piney vittles and hand-made crafts, it's an event not to be missed!

Beautiful Wells Mills Lake has trails meandering around it, perfect for a leisurely stroll through the 900 acres of Pine Barrens located within Wells Mills County Park.  Canoe rentals are also available at a nominal cost.

Facilities:

Bike trail, canoe rental (seasonal), conservation area, fishing, handicap accessible, nature center, open playing fields, picnic area, playground, restrooms.

Beaver Dam Creek County Park
3430 Bridge Avenue
Point Pleasant, NJ

Take a leisurely stroll along Beaver Dam Creek's boardwalk through tidal wetlands, seemingly miles from civilization.  This expertly groomed park has something for everyone!  Enjoy a picnic under the pavilion while the kids cavort on one of two playgrounds or engage in your favorite sport on six acres of playing fields.  Two superb tennis courts and a basketball court are also available for use.

Facilities

Basketball, conservation area, handicap accessible, open playing fields, picnic area, playgrounds, restrooms, soccer, softball, tennis.

Gull Island County Park & Conservation Area
419 Broadway
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

All but a small parcel of land of this tract is an island conservation area in the Manasquan River, but it's a great place for a picnic lunch or fishing the rich waters of the area.

Facilities:

Conservation area, fishing, handicap accessible, picnic area.

A. Paul King County Park
2 W. Bay Avenue
Stafford Township, NJ

It offers a variety of recreation possibilities, a brightly-colored children's playground, a large picnic area shaded by a stand of pines.

Facilities:

Basketball court, fishing, handicap accessible, horseshoes, picnic area, playground, restrooms, volleyball.

Stanley"Tip" Seaman County Park
120 Lakeside Drive (Route 9)
Tuckerton, NJ

"Tip" Seaman County Park, located on the shores of Lake Pohatcong, is probably best-known as the site of the Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show, now in its 28th year.  This two-day event draws exhibitors and visitors from the entire eastern seaboard and beyond and has been named as one of the top 100 events in North America.

"Tip" was also the home of the first Barnegat Bay Decoy Museum. The newly constructed and expanded Barnegat Bay Decoy Museum is just across Route 9 at the site of the Tuckerton Seaport. For more information, call 609-296-5606.

Facilities:

Basketball, bike trail, fishing, fitness trail, handicap accessible, horseshoes, open play area, picnic area, playground, restrooms, shuffleboard, small boat launch, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball.

Jakes Branch County Park
1100 Double Trouble Road
Beachwood, NJ

Jakes Branch County Park offers a balance of active and passive recreation opportunities. The nature center in the park will highlight the beauty, history, and natural surroundings of the Pine Barrens. Breathtaking views of the seemingly endless Pine Barrens can be taken in from the observation deck perched atop the nature center. Jakes Branch will also offer opportunities for soccer, baseball/softball, tennis, and basketball in addition to the miles of nature trails laid out by the staff of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. The tot lot, picnic grove and open playing fields are sure to appeal to children of all ages.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
609-494-2016

The site of Barnegat Lighthouse on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County was regarded as one of the most crucial "change of course" points for coastal vessels. Vessels bound to and from New York along the New Jersey coastline depended on Barnegat Lighthouse to avoid the shoals extending from the shoreline. The swift currents, shifting sandbars, and the offshore shoals challenged the skills of even the most experienced sailor. The park is included as a maritime site on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail.

Facilities & Activities:

• Barnegat Lighthouse
• Interpretive Center
• Trails
• Fishing
• Birdwatching
• Picnicking
• FAQ's
  

Island Beach State Park
Route 35
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
732-793-0506

Facilities & Activities:

• Trails

• Recreation Area

• Barnegat Bay access

• Island Beach Northern and Southern Natural areas
• Fishing
• Waterfowl hunting (in sedge islands only)
• Canoeing
• Ocean swimming with shower facilities and wheelchair access
• Picnicking
• Bicycling and Horseback Riding
• Sailboarding and Surfing
• Scuba Diving
• Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone
• The Emily DeCamp Interpretive Center

  
  
  

Trails:

• Nature trails, bird
  observation blind
• Horseback riding
• Eight-mile bike path along main road

Visitor Center & Planning Resources

Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
1200 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-349-0220