rap #128 07/07/09

FREEHOLDER DIRECTOR BARTLETT SAYS “TAKE A HIKE” – ON ONE OF OCEAN COUNTY’S MANY SCENIC TRAILS.

TOMS RIVER – “Getting away from it all,” maybe for the day or just for lunch, is as easy as enjoying a scenic hike at one of Ocean County’s many county parks.

Hiking and walking trails, from paved walkways to challenging paths through rolling woodlands, are right here in our backyard.

“Whether you enjoy a full-day of hiking complete with packs or just want to take a quick stroll through the woods, you’ll find the perfect spot at one of our parks,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr.

And it’s not just Bartlett who thinks so.

Recently, two Ocean County trails were featured in a New York Times story on New Jersey’s best hikes.

The 3.2-mile trail at Cattus Island County Park in Toms River was noted for its flat and easy passage through the wildlife-filled marshland and woods.

For a more challenging trek, the Times recommends Wells Mills County Park in Waretown. The park boasts 18-miles of trails through the heart of the Pine Barrens.

“The New York Times rightly says that you can spend a weekend hiking at Wells Mills,” Bartlett said. “It’s also a great spot to take the family for a shorter walk to learn about the Pinelands.”

Another special location is one of Ocean County’s newest parks, Jake’s Branch in Beachwood.

Here, well-marked trails wind through the woodlands at the “Gateway to the Pinelands.”

“Be sure to climb the observation tower in our new nature center for remarkable views of the county from Barnegat Bay to Hangar One at Lakehurst,” Bartlett said.

For a more traditional park-like experience, walk the many paved and dirt trails at Ocean County Park in Lakewood.

Once the vacation estate of John D. Rockefeller, the park offers towering white pine, hemlock and other unique trees that were imported by Rockefeller from all over the country.

“Pack a picnic lunch and come enjoy this beautiful park,” Bartlett said.

Another recent, and unique, addition to the park system is the Barnegat Branch Trail, which runs more than three miles from Barnegat Township north into Waretown.

By next spring, another 2 miles of trail will be added in Berkeley Township. Eventually, the trail will follow an old railroad bed from Barnegat north to Toms River.

“Hikers can enjoy just a portion of the trail, or, once completed, travel the entire 15 miles through the heart of Ocean County,” Bartlett said.

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