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Island Beach State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Island Beach State Park is a New Jersey state park located just south of Seaside Park on the Barnegat Peninsula in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
The park is the largest reserve of undeveloped barrier island in New Jersey and one of the largest in the United States.[1] The park is divided into two areas. The Island Beach Northern Natural Area covers 659 acres, some of which is restricted to the public. The Southern Natural Area is much larger at 1,237 acres. The park includes the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone, which includes about 1,600 acres of tidal marshes, creeks, ponds, and open water.
Coming in from the sea-front, a visitor ascends over a large primary dune covered in tall grasses and down into a narrow maritime forest, consisting of many tall bushes and short trees including holly, goldenrod and black cherry. Approaching the bay side, one finds reeds and a muddy estuary that is home to blue crabs and herons and other marine birds. The Barnegat Inlet is located at the southern tip of the park, separating the Barnegat Peninsula from Long Beach Island.
Swimming, kayaking, and fishing are permitted in some areas of the park. Four wheel drive vehicles are permitted onto the beach with a permit.
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Among the trees found in the park are Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), American Holly (Ilex opaca), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) and Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana). These trees appear in different areas of the park, depending on the specifics of salt and wind exposure. They are often stunted, compared to inland examples of their species, and display the "salt spray horizon" effect, with the side facing the ocean sheared tightly by the environment, with their westerly sides tending to grow taller. Thus, the trees and shrubs often take on wedge-like shapes with their low side on the east.
Shrubs in the park include Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), Highbush blueberry - a tasty treat (Vaccineum corymbosum), Beach plum - another favorite for jam making - (Prunus maritima), Swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), Red and Black Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia and A. melanocarpa, Heather (Hudsonia ericoides) and Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). Every September the park hosts an exciting Beach Plum Festival, replete with tours, foods, music and a great atmosphere.
There are also many grasses, forbs and herbaceous plants that delight the eye and olfactory senses.
Many of these plants can be seen at the nature center, one mile into the park, in a display garden, which is located by a freshwater wetland! One often thinks that the dunes are a barren environment, but there is natural diversity which is enjoyed by the native wildlife and the astute visitor.
Still, the majority of the public comes for the pristine white sand beach, the ocean waters, and a wholesome natural backdrop - in contrast to the developed and boardwalk line beaches to the north and south.
- Official Website from the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
- Island Beach State Parka locally maintained site about the park
- Island Beach State Park
