Manasquan Reservoir

TrailsEdit

The park has 6.2 miles of trails rated at an easy-to-moderate physical challenge level in a 1204-acre area that includes the reservoir itself A 5.1-mile (8 km) multi-use Perimeter Trail surrounds the reservoir. The trail is signed with blue-colored metal posts and is marked with brown-colored wooden mileposts. It starts in the vicinity of the visitors parking area. The mile posts run in a clockwise direction as the viewer looks north, and start at the southern portion of the park. There are also a number of shorter trails, but these have no milepost markings. The shorter trails are also considerably narrower. The width of the perimeter trail fluctuates between 8 and 24 feet (7.3 m), whereas that of the side trails is usually no greater than 3 feet (0.91 m). Footbridges in the path are 6 feet (1.8 m) wide. The trail surface is mostly crushed gravel (quarry stone) and level.

A second trail, called the Cove Trail, features 1.1 miles (1.8 km) of nature that explores the woods in the southern section of the park. lakeshore near the environmental center. The trail starts off at mile 0.7 of the main Perimeter Trail and ends at the picnic area next to the environmental center. Binoculars are recommended for sightseeing of wildlife in this area. There are also three other shorter trails: the Wetlands Spur (0.2 mile long), the Environmental Center Bracken Trail (0.2 mile long) and the Bear Swamp Connector trails (0.5 mile long).

Perimeter TrailEdit

The perimeter trail runs in an westerly fashion, in the southern portion of the park and along Windeler Road, until it reaches a wetlands area where it takes a sharp northerly turn. Continuing north, it passes by the environmental center, located near milepost 1.3. Passing the environmental center, the trail continues parallel to the driveway that leads to the environmental center parking lot and makes its way Georgia Tavern Road, a county road that roughly serves as the western boundary of the Park. Here the trail starts to run in a northeasterly fashion parallel to the Georgia Tavern Road to lead to Chestnut Point where parking is available for nearby recreational fishing. The trail continues to run north to milepost 2 where it starts to run east towards milepost 3 and alongside Peskin Road and Southard Avenue. Past milepost 3 (and roughly around mile 3.3) the trail crosses the main utility service road of the Manasquan Water Supply System, after which it makes an abrupt southern turn to run alongside Manassa Road. It then becomes considerably narrower trail having a wide no greater than 8 feet in the area of milepost 4, but expands again to some 20 feet wide as it reaches its end at milepost 5 in the area of the visitors parking lot. Mileposts are marked to the mile.

The following table lists some of the facilities, services, and features along the perimeter trail (Note: Except for the posted wooden milepost markings, all other mileage shown are approximations):

Cove TrailEdit

This trail (marked in green) starts at milepost 0.6 of the Perimeter Trail. It is very narrow and must be hiked in single-file formation. Its course is also more challenging than the perimeter trail, which is mostly flat. Some mud puddles may be encountered on this trail as it does not receive maintenance comparable to the perimeter trail. It does not have a gravel or quarry stone base; the path of this trail is just the ground itself in its natural form. The trail is 1.1 miles long, crosses the Perimeter Trail at mile post 1.2, and ends at the Environmental Center. The Cove Trail is considered a nature trail; it makes its way around a pond/wetlands in the southern section of the park. It has two bridges, two boardwalks (over muddy areas), and a wildlife viewing area.

Wetlands Spur/Lakeside TrailEdit

The parking lot at the eastern end of the visitor's center (the lot used by trailers carrying water crafts using the reservoir's lake) opens to a trail that leads to the lake and which eventually connects to the eastern portion of the perimeter trail. It is officially called the Wetlands Spur. Walking this trail, it first offers a picnic area (with a Johnny-on-the-spot nearby) and a wildlife observation blind and, continuing in an easterly fashion, this trail provides access to the lake's shore for sightseeing and fishing. Continuing the trail is a small pedestrian wooden bridge followed by a resting bench facing the lake. Continuing on, the trail comes to an end when it connects to the perimeter trail. The entire length of the Wetlands Spur trail is 0.2 mile.

Bracken TrailEdit

The unassuming entrance to this little trail is behind the Environmental Center. The trail is narrow and meant for pedestrian (walkers/hikers) use only. This trail explores the lakeside area around the environmental center. The trail features about a dozen well-labeled indigenous flora and fauna, complete with their scientific name. The trail is about 0.2 mile long, runs counter-clockwise (when starting from behind the environmental center) and ends at the environmental center's parking lot, behind the large concrete wall that doubles as the environmental center's welcome sign. Its base is quarry stone.

Bear Swamp Connector TrailEdit

This 0.5-mile long trail is located at the eastern end of the park in a tract of land known as Bear Swamp Tract. It provides access to Howell Township's Oak Glen Park to the Perimeter Trail. It is approximately 8 feet wide and intended for casual walking. This trail leads away from the main park and must be followed backwards to return to the main park facilities. It is off mile 4.5 on the Perimeter Trail and hikers must cross Old Tavern Road to get on it.

Environmental CenterEdit

The environmental center is reachable by car and has its own parking lot. It contains displays of the fauna and fishery of the area, related instructional materials, and overlook windows to the surrounding land area and lake. There are restroom facilities at the center, but the center closes much earlier than the park itself. In the back of the environmental center, there is also a hidden loop trail nearby leading to the lake.

Recreational activitiesEdit

Visitors can bring in their own water crafts, such as boats, kayak, canoes, etc., or they can avail themselves of the rowboat and group boat rides available to park visitors. There are boat launching piers for entry into the lake. Fishing is permitted on the lake, and there are several good fishing spots. Horseback riding and biking is also permitted on the trails. The park also has a playground for children near the visitors center.

Visitors centerEdit

A visitors center features restroom facilities, vending machines, park literature, and a small shop to purchase fishing supplies (a bait shop). There is also a hall with the look of a winter lodge. An observation deck, with on-deck pay-for-view binoculars, complements the second floor features of the center. The visitors center has three parking lots. The center parking lot is closest to the center itself. The western lot provides easy access to the 5.1-mile perimeter trail, children's playground, and a small picnic area facing the lake. The eastern lot is intended for vehicles with watercraft trailers intending to use the craft launching ramp at the end of the lot and next to the visitors center.

Wilderness reserveEdit

A selected portion of the reservoir's property is designated as a wildlife reserve which protects aquatic fauna such as smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass, tiger muskie, bullhead catfish and panfish. Notable bird and land animal species in the area include: great blue heron, osprey, double-crested cormorant, and the bald eagle. Also frogs, turtles, snakes, white-tailed deer, red fox, and raccoons.

ReservoirEdit

The Manasquan reservoir, along with the BMUA, Glendola and Swimming River reservoirs provide a large portion of the drinking water for Central New Jersey. The reservoir is operated by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and became operational in 1990. The reservoir was created by damming the Timber Swamp Brook. Several portions of wetland were destroyed in the making of the reservoir. By New Jersey state law, for all wetland destroyed by mankind, additional equivalent amounts of wetlands must be recreated artificially in the immediacy of the destroyed wetland. The reservoir has a four billion gallon capacity and a maximum depth of 40 feet (12 m). It can supply up to 30 million US gallons (110,000 m³) of water per day. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet.

Memorial benchesEdit

Several of the benches along the perimeter trail have memorial plaques. Following is a listing with their contents:

There is also a resting bench at the Wetlands Spur to the memory of Robert Baxter III.