Cattus Island County Park, Jerseyland...
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Sycamore Slough
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Took Hüsky there the other day for a Hike & Swim.
It's a Cool spot with Swamp and Marshland along the Barnegat Bay & Silver Bay.
Over 500 acres of County Park with a Nature Center & Butterfly Garden. They breed HoneyBees.
Cool Trails for Hiking & Biking, but thick Deerflies, Greenheads, and Mega ticks.
If you make it through all that, Dog can swim in the Bay.
Use yer favorite search engine for 'images' with Cseyattus Island search term.
Another Gem of Jerseyland's Finest, and for Free. Just don't be scared of Bugs :( 
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nebulous nelly
They just recently reopened
They just recently reopened the nature center that was destroyed by Sandy. Other than the bugs, you have deer, fox, coyote, turtles, osprey, egrets, herons, swans, ducks, geese, and other various waterfowl.
The park is adjacent to a land trust, which takes you all the way to shelter cove beach. Stu, I believe you took the path to silver bay(formerly mosquito cove) The sand there is loaded with titanium.
The park used to give a boat tour of the coastline surrounding the park. Kayak tours were also once available.
If you made it to silver bay, you passed close to the oyster shell mounds left by the lenope.
You are correct, Stu, cattus island is a gem.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nebulous nelly
.
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Last time I was there they hadn't yet rebuilt the boadwalk through the wetlands
I'm guessing you walked on this beach, Stu
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
Lumber,
Lumber,
those photos capture much of the environment at Cattus Island.
There's also multi-acres of thick Swamp with Huge Swamp plants so dense it seems impassible for ordinary hu-persons. I bet there's Quicksand out there. We did explore the Boardwalk although for whatever reason, it's not 'officially open' yet. They had some caution-tape at one entrance and plastic barricades at the other.
The 'dry land' is a perfect example of Jersey Shore coastal Pine Barrens. Mostly Pitch Pine or Shore Pine with lots of Black Gum, Red Maple and some Oaks.
Thanks for the history lesson. I was unaware that Sandy thrashed the place. Visitor center looked pretty Fresh and there is a brand-new asphalt parking lot with newly-painted white lines. They even have a solar-powered trash-compacting bin.
I'll visit again this Summer and take Hüsky for more swimming. He likes the Bay water. Next time I'll bring his bike.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nebulous nelly
If you go straight down bay
If you go straight down bay Ave(571) you will hit shelter cove beach. They have lifeguards during the summer, so there is a fee while they are on duty, but Autumn through spring it's free. Nice stretch of bay beach, with easy access to the water. That's my neck of the coast, give a holler when you head down next.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
Lumber,
Lumber,
I don't know if Shelter Cove beach would welcome dogs. There was Mantoloking dog beach in the past, but I think they called it off.
So Cattus Island is remote and underpopulated (might be due to Insects); no one cares if Dog goes swimming.
The only place I'm aware of as "Dog-Friendly" is Island Beach state park. And that bar in AP has "yappy hour" but no pool.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nebulous nelly
^shelter cove is dog friendly
^shelter cove is dog friendly Autumn-spring and most of the time when lifeguards are not present. There are also a couple of large fields right there that connect up with the land trust which connects to cattus. It's a real nice stretch of wetland. Careful out in the wetlands during duck season.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nebulous nelly
Btw, best do the speed limit
Btw, best do the speed limit on bay once cross Fischer Blvd. The police have been pulling people as of late... 35 mph