Turkey Swamp Park facts for kids
Turkey Swamp Park is a large park in Freehold Township, New Jersey. It covers about 1,180 acres (4.78 square kilometers). The park is located near the northern edge of the famous Pine Barrens.
This park sits on a small ridge in the middle of Central Jersey. Many important rivers start here, like the Manasquan, Metedeconk, and Toms River to the east. To the north is the Millstone River, and to the west are the Assunpink Creek, Crosswicks Creek, and Manalapan Brook.
The main attraction at Turkey Swamp Park is its beautiful 17-acre (69,000 m2) lake. It's a great spot for fishing, where you can catch bass, bluegill, and catfish. You can also enjoy canoeing and paddle boating on the lake.
The park was first created in 1963 when the main part of the land was bought. More land was added in the 1970s. In May 1993, the park grew to its current size with the purchase of Camp Nomoco.
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What's in a Name? Turkey Swamp Park Explained
The name "Turkey Swamp Park" can be a bit confusing. The park doesn't actually have a large swamp. Also, it's not a special home for turkeys.
However, the soil here is quite sandy. The water level underground is often close to the surface. This means that some lower areas can become a bit swampy when it rains a lot. That's where the "swamp" part of the name comes from.
The "turkey" part of the name comes from the area's old name. The town once known as Turkey is now called Adelphia.
Fun Activities at Turkey Swamp Park
Turkey Swamp Park offers many fun things to do for visitors. There are 8 miles (13 km) of trails for walking or running. You can also practice your aim at the archery range.
Kids will love the different playgrounds. For sports fans, there are two soccer fields. The park also has many picnic areas where families can relax and eat.
During warmer months, you can rent canoes, paddleboats, kayaks, and rowboats to use on the lake. In the winter, when the big lake freezes over, you can even go ice-skating!
A large part of the park is set aside for camping. This area is open during certain seasons. It has everything you need, including laundry facilities and hot-water bathrooms. There are 64 campsites for both tents and RVs, with electric and water hook-ups. You can also rent two cozy wood cabins called "forest view" cabins.
Nomoco Activity Area: A Secluded Spot
The Nomoco Activity Area is a quieter part of Turkey Swamp Park. It's great for groups who want to do activities together. This area has six sites, and each can hold up to 40 people.
One of these sites is called "the Outpost." It's even more private and requires a 1/4-mile hike through the woods to reach. The Outpost is perfect for groups looking for a true wilderness camping experience. At the Outpost, you need to bring your own drinking water. However, ground water from hand pump-driven wells is available nearby. There's also a pit toilet, as no other restrooms are at the Outpost.
The park system bought the 56-acre Camp Nomoco in May 1993. Before that, the Girl Scouts had run the 303-acre camp since 1947. The Girl Scouts wanted to sell the camp to someone who would protect nature, not build on the land. Buying Nomoco helped protect the Metedeconk River area and turned a private camp into a public one.
Plants You Might See: Flora of Turkey Swamp Park
The park is home to many different kinds of plants. Some of the trees you might see include pitch pine, scrub oak, white oak, and sweet gum. You can also find shrubs like pepperbush, huckleberry, and blueberry.
Exploring the Park: Trails for Hikers
Turkey Swamp Park has several marked trails for you to explore:
- The orange-blazed trail is about 1-mile-long (1.6 km). It goes all the way around the lake.
- The red-blazed trail is about 1.75-mile-long (2.82 km). This trail leads into the wooded camping area.
- The green-blazed trail is about 1-mile (1.6 km) long. It takes you to the lakefront area and runs next to the red-blazed trail.
- The blue-blazed trail is about 0.5-mile (0.80 km) long. This shorter trail guides hikers to the boathouse.
