Parks & Recreation

For residents and visitors alike, the 1,100 acre Bridgeton City Park is its own destination. featuring everything from walking trails and picnic areas to playing fields, basketball courts, and a new 7,500 square foot Splash Park next to the Cohanzick Zoo, one of Cumberland County’s most visited attractions. Proud of this treasure along the Cohansey River, the park contains an outdoor amphitheater at Sunset Lake with a swimming beach, a network of guided nature trails, walking and wooded trails at Piney Point Woods, Mary Elmer Lake, playground areas, tennis courts, and the Southern New Jersey All Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. The park also houses the Swedish Village Living History Display, slated to undergo renovations and upgrades in the future. Whether it’s competitive sports, strapping on headphones to jog or walk our wooded trails, or simply enjoying some fresh air and sunshine with family after a busy week. there’s something for everyone at Bridgeton City Park. For gatherings, cookouts, small events or family get-togethers, City Park features the following outdoor picnic areas: the Berkowitz Picnic Grove (containing a stage, picnic tables and comfort station), Piney Point (picnic pavilions with comfort station), Mary Elmer Woods (pavilions, barbeque grills, open air tables, horseshoe pits and state stocked fishing lake), Sunset Lake (picnic tables, barbeque grills, comfort station and beach), the Zoo pavilion area (pavilions, comfort station), Veterans’ Park (pavilion, picnic tables located on Mayor Aitken Drive across from the old park office). For those with a kicked-up exercise routine, City Park contains a fitness trail intersecting at various points with West Park Drive, Scholastic Drive, and Mayor Aitken Drive to form its own circuit. and an adult outdoor exercise equipment section featuring a sit-up/crunch bench, a pull-up/dip station, and a stationary cycle machine to help vary the routine or simply cool down. Beyond these venues, City Park plays host to various organized sports including Babe Ruth Baseball (ages 12-15), Little League Baseball, a variety of Softball teams and leagues, Midget League Football, Adult Soccer Leagues, and girls’ softball and basketball leagues. The Bridgeton Department of Recreation sponsors a full menu of programs and activities for residents and visitors to the Bridgeton Community. Call the Bridgeton Department of Recreation at 856-453-1675 for more information. Visit Website

CLARK’S POND AND CLARK’S POND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (WMA) Fairton Township (just outside of Bridgeton

Boating, birding, fishing activities. Designated as an IBA (Important Bird Areas) by Audubon, and part of the Cohansey River. which originates at Clarks Pond and meanders through Cumberland County before reaching the Delaware Bay. The area covers 201.19 Acres, and has a boat ramp for launching boats. Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Cooper’s Hawks can be seen there and along the Cohansey River. 476 S Burlington Rd, Bridgeton, NJ 08302.

COHANZICK ZOO & ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY Bridgeton

This small zoo, nestled among the woods and waterways of Bridgeton City Park, is one of the last free zoos in the nation. More than 60 years old, the Cohanzik Zoo displays more than 100 animals in modern, naturalistic exhibits. The zoo can be found in Bridgeton City Park just minutes off Route 55. It’s a leisurely 40-45 minute drive south from the Philadelphia metropolitan area and 45-50 minutes northwest from the Atlantic City area. Currently, there are no food concessions available in the zoo, but they do have a nice picnic grove overlooking the scenic raceway that runs through the park. The Zoo is free, but would not exist if not for the generosity of visitors and the work of their non-profit funding arm, the Cohanzick Zoological Society. Every single penny donated to the Cohanzick Zoological Society purchases medications, veterinary care & equipment, specialty feeds, and enrichment items for the animals and provides funding for renovations and new habitats. 45 Mayor Aitken Dr, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. 856-453-1658. www.cohanzickzoo.org

SPLASH PARK AT THE BRIDGETON CITY PARK Bridgeton

Situated next to the zoo, visitors can spend the day cooling off at the Splash Park, while also enjoying a visit to one of New Jersey’s unique zoo settings. The 7,500 square foot venue contains 28 fixtures featuring everything from buckets and fountains to water wheels and cannons, all designed to shoot, spray, mist, and pour water on hot bathers looking to beat the heat on steamy summer days. The splash pad, next to the Cohanzick Zoo, is designed with a zoo theme and kids can enjoy fixtures that suggest lady bugs, tigers, and frogs. The splash pad is open on weekends only until the school year ends, and then it is open 7 days a week, (weather permitting) from 11am to 6pm with additional hours added for the months of July and August. 35 Mayor Aitken Drive, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. 856-369-6791. Visit Website

SUNSET LAKE AMPHITHEATRE Bridgeton

The Sunset Lake Amphitheater is a tiered space in a bucolic natural setting along Sunset Lake, which can be rented for events and programs. During the summer months, the amphitheater hosts “Movies in the Park” on second Saturdays. Mayor Aitken Drive, Bridgeton City Park, Bridgeton, NJ 08302.

MILLVILLE CITY PARKS:

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BUCK WATERFRONT PARK

Historic site named after Revolutionary War Captain Joseph Buck (1753 – 1803). After the war, he served as commander of the Cumberland County Militia, and founded the town of Millville. 9 Acres, Boardwalk, Fishing, Gazebo, Monument, Picnic Areas. Buck & Main Streets, Millville, NJ 08332.

CORSON PARK

Over 15 Acres, Bandstand, Dance Floor, Playground, Restrooms, Tennis Court & Walkway. 14th St. and E. Main St., Millville, NJ 08332

CUMBERLAND POND, PEASLEE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

A good point from which to begin exploring the vast Peaslee Wildlife Management Area. A popular spot for fishing and paddling, Cumberland Pond’s open water attracts a variety of herons, egrets and Osprey. An Atlantic white cedar bog lies on the other side of the pond, where you can find certain rare and plant-specific butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. This site is a good location from which to scan for wintering raptors such as Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle. Route 49, South Millville, NJ. 609-984-0547.

FOWSER ROAD BOAT RAMP

45 Acres, Two Boat Launches & Wetlands. South Second St., Millville, NJ 08332

FRIENDSHIP PARK

Basketball Court, Swings, Multi-Play Unit, Tot Swings. Noble St., Millville, NJ 08332

LAKESIDE SOCCER COMPLEX

15 Acres, Five Full-size Soccer Fields, Inline Skate Park, Picnic Areas, Playground, Refreshment Stand & Walking Trail. 1400 McCafferty Blvd, Millville, NJ 08332. 856-293-8700.

SHARP STREET PARK

23 Acres, Batting Cage, Fishing, Playground & Youth Ball Fields. The park has a canoe/kayak launch and small fishing pier, as well as the Maurice River Walking and Biking Trail, which winds along the Maurice River. The entrance to the trail is just beyond the farthest baseball field from the entrance. Sharp St. and Cooper St., Millville, NJ 08332

UNION LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

A popular lake that was created by the damming of the Maurice and Mill Rivers. The 5,000-acre Union Lake WMA offers a variety of viewing experiences to naturalists of all levels. A large boat ramp is located at the far end of the parking lot and there is ample parking for vehicles and trailers. A small dock provides a place for fishing or observing. Stand at the edge of the dock and take in the amazing view of this large reservoir. An additional parking area on Sharp St., across from Riverview Park, affords a good view of the fish ladder on the opposite side of the dam. It also provides additional fishing access to the Maurice River. Bald Eagle nest on the lake and Osprey are often seen fishing for a meal. There are many miles of unmarked trails that wind through the woods and along the lakeshore. County Rd 552, Millville, NJ 08332. Visit Website

WALTMAN PARK

9 Acres, Basketball Court, Bocce Court, Horseshoes & Playground. City Park Drive, Millville, NJ 08332

VINELAND CITY PARKS:

CARL V. ARTHUR RECREATION AREA & THE SAMUEL L. CLARK PARK-POOL

Lighted outdoor basketball courts, Tot-Lot, 25′ x 50′ inground swimming pool which has a constant depth of 3 feet. North 3rd St & West Plum St, Vineland, NJ 08360

ROBERTO CLEMENTE PARK

Softball Field, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Tot-Lot, Handball Court. South Seventh St & Humbert St, Vineland, NJ 08360

CUNNINGHAM PARK

Little League Fields, Senior Little League Fields, Practice Areas, Parking Facilities, Clubhouse refreshment stand and restrooms. 1676 NW Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360

FIOCCHI PARK

Lighted Little League Field, Farm and Instruction Field, Refreshment Stand and Lighted Senior League Field. 1755 Galli Dr, Vineland, NJ 08361

GIAMPIETRO MEMORIAL PARK

10 Acre Lake, Picnic Areas, Picnic Pavillion, Band Shell, Tot-Lot & 6 Acre Conservation Area​. 3231 East Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08361

GITTONE PARK

Softball Fields, Lighted Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Horseshoe Courts, Tot-Lot & Picnic Areas. 2053 County Rd 681, Vineland, NJ 08361

LANDIS PARK

The oldest recreation area in Vineland. Lighted ballfields (Little League, Softball and Adult Baseball), Lighted Street Hockey Courts, Lighted Batting Cages, Picnic Areas, Band Stand, Parking Facilities, Basketball Courts, Veteran’s Memorial, and Disc Golf Course​. 600 East Park Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360

MILL & WALNUT ROAD RECREATIONAL AREA

Softball Field, Basketball Courts, Volleyball Courts, Tot-Lot & In-Line Hockey Rink. S Mill Rd & Walnut Rd, Vineland, NJ 08360

JESSIE MORIE FIELD

Senior League Baseball Field & Concession Stand​. 4023 S Lincoln Ave, Vineland, NJ 08361

NORMANDIE LANE

Lighted Midget Football Field, Lighted Football practice areas, Lighted Babe Ruth Baseball Field, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts & Tot-Lot. West Chestnut Ave & South 3rd St, Vineland, NJ 08360

HOWARD PAGLIUGHI PARK

Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Softball fields, Horseshoe Courts, Volleyball Courts, Deck Tennis Courts, All-Purpose Field, Tot-Lot. 2245 Magnolia Rd, Vineland, NJ 08361

JOSEPH E. ROMANO SPORTS COMPLEX

Soccer Fields, Baseball Field, Walking Track, Football Field, All Purpose Field & Restrooms. 1911 Maple Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360

SOUTH VINELAND PARK

20 Acre Lake, Picnic Facilities, Volleyball Court & Disc Golf Course. 429 W Elmer Rd, Vineland, NJ 08360

FRANK A. TEJERAS PARK

Playground, Tot-Lot equipment & Picnic Facilities. Neptune Terrace & Mercury Way, Vineland, NJ 08360

WEST EARL DRIVE & MINI-PARK

Tot-Lot. West Earl Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360

WEST SIDE PARK

Swimming, Picnic Areas, Playground Equipment & Refreshment Building. 2680 Almond Rd, Vineland, NJ 08360

WILLOW OAK CONSERVATION AREA

Willow Oak provides an excellent outdoor educational laboratory for the study of woodland, open field, and freshwater environments and the ecological balances of concern to its wildlife inhabitants. Signs at the parking areas show the layout of trails and various points of interest throughout the conservation area. Landis and Lincoln Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360