BARNEGAT, NJ — Ocean County is rife with natural beauty and history, and one of its best hidden gems is a place that combines both.
When Patch put out a call asking for readers to submit their favorite Ocean County hidden gems, we received dozens of answers. The replies ranged from Tuckerton to Toms River. But only one spot was recommended more than once: Barnegat’s Cloverdale Farm County Park.
Down a dirt road and tucked away from civilization is where you’ll find this beauty of a park. As the name would suggest, it once served as the Collins’ family farm, dating back to the early 1900s. The county acquired it in 2004.
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Captured in Cloverdale Farm County Park is the variety of flora and fauna that the Pine Barrens has to offer. Wetlands, uplands and 20 acres of cranberry bogs are highlights.
What makes the park such a great gem? As reader MaryAnn McAdams put it, “Season to season, the park offers natural beauty, wildlife, and trails for young and old.”
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“It is a naturally beautiful park which includes some of the many plants and animals that are part of the unique ecology found in the Pine Barrens,” said reader Warren Weick.
A self-guided nature trail takes visitors around the park where they can see bluebirds, wildflowers and more in the undisturbed woodlands.
Reader Frank Langella called the park “a place of quiet reflection amid our hectic life.”
If you’re curious about exploring this hidden gem for yourself, visit 34 Cloverdale Road in Barnegat. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk, and the Visitor’s Center is open Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding major holidays. Visit the Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department for more information.
Got an Ocean County hidden gem you’d like to share with Patch? Tell us in an email to [email protected] and we may feature it in an upcoming article!
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