Mantoloking Bridge County Park

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

Wildlife & Witchery
Have you ever wondered why bats are synonymous with Halloween? How ravens became harbingers of death? And who decided toads belong beside witches? Delve into ancient lore of some beloved (and some not-so-loved) creatures of spooky season, as we learn about traditions past, and gain a new appreciation for some of our local nocturnal wildlife.
LOCATION: Program Room, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Wednesday, October 21
PROGRAM #354166 – 4C
TIME: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
DATE: Thursday, October 22
PROGRAM #354166 – 4D
TIME: 2:30 – 3:30 pm
FEE: $5.00 per person
AGE: 13 years - Adult

REGISTRATION INFO:
Registration Form:
http://www.co.ocean.nj.us//WebContentFiles//e6610e8e-b4ed-45da-8057-53c6f85f00ce.pdf

Register by mail or in-person at:
Jakes Branch County Park - Beachwood
Wells Mills County Park – Waretown
OC Parks Administration Office - Toms River
OC Parks Web Site: www.oceancountyparks.org
Administration Phone: (732) 506-9090

10/15/2026

Pre-K Classes coming up in Tuckerton at the Stanley H. "TIP" Seaman County Park.
Ages 3-5 year olds. These are 'parents drop-off' classes...

Maple Morning Art
Cozy up with a warm cup of c***r this autumn morning and join us as the leaves turn and the season changes. From maple leaves to masterpieces, we will explore the beauty of the changing seasons through hands-on art activities, engaging games, and story-filled adventures.
Please List any food allergies at the time of registration.
LOCATION: Community Center, Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park, Tuckerton
DATE: Friday, November 6
TIME: 10 -11AM
PROGRAM #351021 – 1M

Arctic Art Adventures
Come explore the arctic with friends and learn about the wonders of winter. Here you can let your imagination snowball and create a big winter wonderland of crafts. From snow¬flakes to storytelling, we will spark our imagination!
LOCATION: Community Center, Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park, Tuckerton
DATE: Friday, December 4
TIME 10 – 11AM
PROGRAM #351021 – 1O

Candy Cane Creators
Come join us and celebrate the holiday through sweet candy-cane inspired crafts. Here peppermint fun is sprinkled into every activity and brings joy to the season, one story at a time!
Please List any food allergies at the time of registration.
LOCATION: Community Center, Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park, Tuckerton
DATE: Friday, December 11
TIME 10 – 11AM
PROGRAM #351021 – 1P

REGISTRATION INFO:
Registration Form:
http://www.co.ocean.nj.us//WebContentFiles//e6610e8e-b4ed-45da-8057-53c6f85f00ce.pdf

Register by mail or in-person at:
Jakes Branch County Park - Beachwood
Wells Mills County Park – Waretown
OC Parks Administration Office - Toms River
OC Parks Web Site: www.oceancountyparks.org
Administration Phone: (732) 506-9090

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

Cattus Island County Park:
There is truck traffic along the Main Trail and Parking Lot as construction crews stage for the CATTUS ISLAND LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT.
The Eastern 1/3 mile of MAIN TRAIL CLOSED 10/12. The truck/equipment traffic will continue until the end of Phase One of the project in December.
Please use caution when walking. For additional information please stop by the Cooper Environmental Center.

Significant Erosion of Cattus Island Shoreline:
The overall goal of this project is to restore critical shoreline areas of Cattus Island County Park to address significant erosion and prevent extreme wetlands and habitat loss in the Barnegat Bay. Some areas of the park have lost more than 300 feet over the past 85 years. This erosion is likely to increase over time, if the shoreline, and especially the northeast peninsula known as “Page’s Point,” is not stabilized.

Cattus Island breakwater protects surrounding natural lands and neighborhoods:
Cattus Island is the most significant salt marsh and the largest breakwater in the northern portion of Barnegat Bay. It preserves a significant portion of the total remaining natural lands in the northern part of Barnegat Bay, encompassing 530 acres out of over 1,000 acres of preserved public property in the immediate vicinity. In addition, Page’s Point itself serves as a wetland buffer and upland forest breakwater that protects four surrounding neighborhoods from tidal flooding and erosion. While the project’s primary goal is to restore and provide resiliency to public land, the adjacent protected area includes Toms River Township’s Shelter Cove Park, containing at least 825 homes with a total estimated value of $181.5 million, and 25 businesses with a total estimated value of $37.5 million.

NJDEP Grant Award:
Ocean County was awarded a $3 million 2018 Water Quality Restoration Grant from the NJDEP for a 4-year living shoreline restoration project at Cattus Island County Park, part of $10 million in grants for local water-quality improvement projects in the Barnegat Bay watershed.

10/14/2026

Early registration ends Friday, October 16. For anyone registering on the day of the
Flea Market, the cost will increase from $15.00 to $40.00 per unit if space is still available.
NOTE: Pre-registration is highly recommended.Visit www.oceancountyparks.org or email
Jake at [email protected] for an application.

10/14/2026

“Night of the Stars”
Spend the night under the stars with A.S.T.R.A., The Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area. Whether you’re a budding astronomer or simply a casual stargazer, this night is for you. Volunteer members of the club will be on-site to share their out-of-this-world knowledge and answer your questions about the great unknown. They will have telescopes that will leave your mind reeling in amazement for days from the views you see. If you have your own telescope, feel free to bring it along and come a little early. The club members will be happy to give you points on how to find the planets and locate constellations. No registration required. ****ENDING TIME APPROXIMATE. WEATHER PERMITTING! ****
LOCATION: Sports Field Parking Lot, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
DATE: Saturday, October 17
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
DATE: Saturday, November 14
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Parking Lot, Patriots County Park
DATE: Saturday, November 7
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
FEE: Free
AGE: ALL

10/13/2026

The Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund has preserved more than 30,000 acres since 1998, helping protect forests, wetlands, farmland, water resources, and open space throughout Ocean County.
This November, Ocean County voters will consider increasing the Trust Fund's funding rate from 1.2 cents to 2.2 cents per $100 of total County equalized real property valuation to support continued preservation efforts, including future acquisitions, maintenance and cleanup, and habitat protection.
Learn more about the Natural Lands Trust Fund and the proposed funding increase: https://co.ocean.nj.us/frmOpenSpace.aspx

10/13/2026

Work on the tennis courts at Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood will begin on Wednesday, October 14. The resurfacing will take about 2 weeks. We will update if needed.