Cattus Island County Park

09/14/2026

09/13/2026

MEET YOUR OCEAN COUNTY PARKS
Lochiel Creek County Park
177 acres, Barnegat Boulevard North, Barnegat
Opened in 2014, this hidden gem covers over 177 acres of forests and wetlands. The park is located along the westbound side of Barnegat Boulevard in Barnegat Township. The entrance road winds among pines and blueberries into a quiet and pristine setting.

Amenities include a comfort station with restrooms, ample parking, and a 1.75 mile marked nature trail. The trail highlights the park’s diversity as it meanders through rolling hills that are relic sand dunes from a time when the area was a prehistoric beach. The trail also crosses Lochiel Creek, the park’s namesake, which harbors populations of federally threatened wildflowers and strange carnivorous plants. Along with native orchids and wetland shrubs, there are plenty of wildflowers to see throughout the growing season.

One of the most convenient features of the park is its accessibility to the Barnegat Branch Trail. The parking area serves as a trailhead where visitors can access the 6.5 contiguous miles of the Barnegat Branch Trail via a short connector trail.
www.oceancountypark.org

09/12/2026

MEET YOUR OCEAN COUNTY PARKS
Freedom Fields County Park
120 acres
1160 Route 539
Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087
(732) 506-9090

NOTE: Our Off-Leash Dog Facilities Open at 8am
and will close 30 mins prior to the main park.

Active recreation is the theme at this park. This Sports Field Complex is conveniently located on Route 539. Soccer, softball and baseball fields have been developed to meet the needs of the expanding population of Southern Ocean County.

Facilities:
Off-Leash Dog Park, Softball fields, soccer fields, Little League fields, picnic areas, hiking trails, ADA accessible restrooms

09/11/2026

Adult Drawing & Painting
Come and join us for an afternoon of creativity! In this 8-week course we will touch on a short drawing lesson and then spend the rest of the time exploring acrylic painting. This class will cover and practice some color theory, and we will do some experiments with various techniques and mediums. Participant input is highly encouraged.
Participants must bring basic paints, brushes and canvas boards, all will be discussed on the first day of class.
LOCATION: Program Room, Parks Administration Office, Toms River
DATE: Thursdays, October 8 – November 12
PROGRAM #351186 – 1A
TIME: 1:00 - 2:30 pm
FEE: $70.00 per person AGE: 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

09/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1bruRvua5P/

Commissioner Robert S. Arace, Liaison to Ocean County Parks and Recreation, and the Ocean County Board of Commissioners are pleased to announce the
44th Annual Old Time Barnegat Bay Decoy and Gunning Show
🦆 44th ANNUAL OLD TIME BARNEGAT BAY DECOY & GUNNING SHOW 🦆

🌧️Rain or shine

📅 Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27, 2026
⏰ Saturday: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
⏰ Sunday: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park & Tuckerton Seaport
120 Lakeside Dr. & 120 W. Main St., Tuckerton, NJ

🌊 FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING • FREE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

Come experience one of New Jersey’s premier celebrations of Barnegat Bay heritage, traditional arts, craftsmanship, waterfowling, and baymen’s culture!

With more than 50 contests and seminars taking place over two action-packed days, there’s something for everyone — whether you’re a lifelong decoy collector, an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, an artist, a craftsperson, or simply looking for a great family weekend. Did you know that “Gunning” is the phrase used in our area to mean waterfowl hunting?

🪵 SEE TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP IN ACTION
Watch skilled carvers and craftspeople compete in a wide variety of decoy and carving contests, including traditional and contemporary gunning decoys, shorebirds, miniature decoys, working fish decoys, cork decoys, decorative decoys, and the Advanced Carver Contest.

Boat enthusiasts can also enjoy model boat and boat-building contests, while carving and craft demonstrations offer a closer look at the skills behind these unique traditions.

👀 LEARN BY WATCHING
You don’t have to be a contestant to enjoy the competitions! The public is invited to watch the judging process and see how experienced judges evaluate the craftsmanship, style, and details of the entries.

Inside the Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park Community Center, visitors can also see the Art & Photo Contest entries, exhibits, history displays, and other cultural presentations — offering a wonderful opportunity to learn about the traditional arts and heritage of the Barnegat Bay region.

🎯 CONTESTS & ACTIVITIES
The weekend also features:
• 🦆 Decoy & carving contests
• 🚤 Boat-building & model boat contests
• 🎨 Art & photography contests
• 🐕 Retriever contests & demonstrations
• 🎯 Skeetshoot contests
• 🏹 Youth & adult archery
• 📣 Duck & goose calling contests
• 🪵 Head whittling
• 🐕 Dock Dogs
• 🎶 Live music
• 🎨 Family crafts & activities
• 🚤 Tuckerton Creek boat rides
• 🔎 Scavenger Hunt
• 🛍️ 200+ waterfowling exhibitors & vendors
• 🍴 Food vendors and much more!

🏘️ VISIT BOTH SHOW LOCATIONS
Make sure to visit both Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park and the Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum. Free shuttle buses will connect the show sites, so you can enjoy everything the weekend has to offer without moving your vehicle.



● For more information call (609) 971-3085 or visit www.oceancountyparks.org ●
LINK TO THE FULL 2026 DECOY SHOW PROGRAM GUIDE:
https://www.co.ocean.nj.us//WebContentFiles//2fdb34a0-f96e-46cd-983d-dc5675467fa8.pdf

09/10/2026

Good Morning from the 1.6 mile "Yellowbank Trail" at Cattus Island/Park's Admin property in Toms River.

09/10/2026

Intro to Watercolor: Autumn Landscape
Have you ever wanted to try watercolor but didn’t want to commit to several classes? During this one-day workshop, you will create two 4x6-sized autumn landscape paintings of the Pine Barrens. This relaxed class, led by Diane Israel, a local watercolor artist, will help you hone your beginner watercolor skills while also showcasing our region’s beauty. All painting supplies are included. Dress for the weather, as this program will be outside. If inclement weather the program will be moved inside. Please bring $50.00 in exact charge for the instructor and materials.
LOCATION: Dock, Cloverdale Farm County Park, Barnegat
DATE: Saturday, September 19
PROGRAM # 356186 – 6A
TIME: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
FEE: $5.00 per person registration fee
AGE: 12 years – Adult

Autumn Wreath
Welcome the kaleidoscope of autumn colors this fall with The Wreath Fairy. We will be taking this season’s warm color palette of reds, oranges, and yellows, and combining them with warm neutrals such as beige, cream, and brown to create a cozy, inviting ac¬cent piece for your home. Extra embellishments and decorative ribbon will allow you to make this wreath uniquely yours! Please bring a snack and have $40 in exact change for the instructor and materials.
LOCATION: Program Room, Cloverdale Farm County Park, Barnegat
DATE: Sunday, September 20
PROGRAM # 356186 – 6B
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
FEE: $5.00 per person registration fee
AGE: 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