New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
April, 2020

In response to this unprecedented crisis that is affecting our health concerns, all aspects of lives, and in particular with all New Jersey Leisure activities that include the cancellation of events  and other related activities, our viewers are advised to check in with each of the restaurants, entertainment venues, event sponsors, and other non-essential businesses that are listed in our webpages, to ensure that they are open, and have not closed or cancelled.

For information on State of New Jersey mandates that affect closings of entertainment venues, parks, and events, please check our Coronavirus latest information web page.

The arrival of April brings Spring into full bloom with the greening of trees, the emergence of flowers and the resurgence of many outdoor activities. The more adventurous can get out to enjoy the outdoors with hiking, biking, canoeing, and some early spring camping

This months events includes concerts, theatre, festivals, kids events, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests

. This Edition's Contents...

• Popular April Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event

Popular April 2020 Things To Do

As of the date of the publication, the listed activities have not been cancelled, though many are operating with some restructions.

Visit Great Falls National Park
McBride Avenue
Paterson, NJ
973-279-9587
Website
This 89 acre National Historic Site Park with a rich cultural and industrial history, trails, and a 77+ foot waterfall.
Hiking trails, overlooks, and restrooms are still open. The Great Falls Park Visitor Center is temporarily closed and fee operations have been suspended until further notice,.

Visit High Point State Park
GPS Coordinates 41° 18' 23.04" N 74° 40' 14.78 " W
Sussex, NJ
(973) 875-4800
Website
Open to the public for hiking walking, and biking and other passive recreation. Park facilities (restrooms, offices, nature centers, historic buildings) have been closed and events canceled until further notice,
High Point State Park was dedicated in 1923 as the first State Park in New Jersey. With 14,218 acres of woodland on Kittatinny Mountain, it includes the state's first Natural Area, the Dryden Kuser Natural Area, the highest elevation cedar swamp of its kind in the world.
The view from High Point Monument, at 1,803 feet above sea level, is a spectacular panorama of rich farmland and forest, soft hills and lush valleys in three states. The blue line of the Delaware River divides the verdant ridges of New Jersey from those of Pennsylvania.

Liberty State Park
200 Morris Pesin Drive,
Jersey City, NJ
(201) 915-3403 or 3404
Website
Open to the public for hiking walking, and biking and other passive recreation. Park facilities (restrooms, offices, nature centers, historic buildings) have been closed and events cancelled until further notice,
This is the crown jewel of urban northeast New Jersey's parks. With a huge variety of outdoor activities and world class scenic views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island,
Liberty State Park is one of the state's most treasured recreational parks.

Island Beach State Park
GPS Coordinates
39° 54’ 18.98” N 74° 04' 53.15" W
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
(732) 793-0506
Website
Open to the public for hiking walking, and biking and other passive recreation. Park facilities (restrooms, offices, nature centers, historic buildings) have been closed and events cancelled until further notice,,
This park is located on a narrow barrier island stretching for 10 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. Island Beach is one of New Jersey's last significant remnants of a barrier island ecosystem that once existed along much of the coast and is also one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the north Atlantic coast. Over 3,000 acres and 10 miles of coastal dunes remain almost untouched since Henry Hudson first described New Jersey's coast from the ship, the Half Moon, in 1609.

Status os Jersey Shore Boardwalk & Beaches
Many of New Jersey beaches and boardwalks remain open for passive activities with closed restrooms. Visitors are asked to keep at least six feet apart from people outside those they live with.
These are the Beaches and/or Boardwalks that are closed or are open with restrictions as of March 28, 2020

• Asbury Park – Closed its Boardwalk. The Beach remains open. Access across the boardwalk to the beach will be available at First, Third and Sunset avenues. Access to the beach will also be available at Deal Lake Drive.
• Lavallette - Closed its boardwalk
• Ocean City - Closed all beaches and boardwalks
• Point Pleasant Beach – Closed its Boardwalk
• Sea Girt – Closed its boardwalk
• Seaside Heights – Closed its beach, the boardwalk remains open
• Spring Lake - Closed its boardwalk

Visit Hartshorne Woods Park
1402 Portland Road
Highlands, NJ (Rocky Point Entrance
(732) 872-0336
Website
Park is open but with no access to any buildings or modern restrooms. All programs/events are cancelled until further notice.
A hilly, forested 787-acre site overlooking the Navesink River, this park is among the highest elevations along the Atlantic Coast and features prominently in area history as a former coastal defense site. Known for its challenging trail system and scenic views, Hartshorne Woods is a popular park for area hikers, bicyclists and outdoor enthusiasts. Park features: group cabin camping (by reservation), cross country ski trails, fishing in the Navesink River and trails for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It's the perfect place to escape the sounds of suburbia.

Visit Manasquan Reservoir
311 Windeler Road, Howell
(732) 919-0996
Howell
Website
Park is open but with no access to any buildings or modern restrooms. All programs/events are cancelled until further notice.
This 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,204 acre site that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center.
The Environmental Center is dedicated to providing experiences of learning and discovery related to wetlands ecology and wildlife and habitat protection. Through interactive exhibits, multi-media presentations, educational activities for schools and community groups, and wildlife observation areas, visitors gain an understanding of the importance of water in our world.
Visitors can also spend a day fishing, boating, or walking the trail at this beautiful spot in southern Monmouth County. The Park features 1204 acres of land and water with fishing, a 5-mile perimeter trail, a 1-mile nature trail, a playground, ice-skating, and kayak and rowboat rentals. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits.

Visit Ocean County Park
659 Ocean Ave. (Route 88)
Lakewood, NJ
732-506-9090
Website
Park is open but with no access to any buildings, playgrounds, or modern restrooms. All programs/events are cancelled until further notice.
This beautiful park has it's origin as financier John D. Rockefeller's estate when lakewood was a popular vacation and weekend destination for New Yorkers. The park has many attractive features including: a bike trail, cross-country skiing, driving range, fishing, fitness trail, handicap accessible, open playing fields, a covered picnic pavilion, 5 acre off-leash dog park, playgrounds, rest rooms, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, tennis courts, volleyball and a lake side swimming area with white beach sand, shower and rest room facilities. The freshwater lake is fed from an underground aquifer and surrounded by. . Access to the beach and park are free to the public.

Visit Hacklebarney State Park
119 Hacklebarney Rd
Long Valley, NJ
908-638-6969
Website
Open to the public for hiking walking, and biking and other passive recreation. Park facilities (restrooms, offices, nature centers, historic buildings) have been closed and events cancelled until further notice,
A long stone staircase brings visitors into this 978 acre glacial valley with gorges carved from the Black River, steep ravines covered in hard-wood forests, rare plants and animals, miles of trails, and a variety of land and water recreation. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the trails, and must be leashed and cleaned up after at all times.

Visit The Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
1547 County Route 565
Vernon, NJ
Website
Open to the public for hiking walking, and other passive recreation. Park facilities (restrooms, offices, nature centers, historic buildings) have been closed and events cancelled until further notice,
Situated in the midst of the Appalachian Valley and the Highland Ridge System, the Wallkill River valley is a channel for bird and waterfowl journeying between eastern Canada and the Atlantic coast, and the Delaware and Hudson rivers. The Wallkill River refuge is one of the few waterfowl habitat of considerable importance that remain northwestern NJ. More than 225 species of birds and waterfowl can be found on the Wallkill River Refuge.
The Great Blue Heron in NJ is listed as a "Species of Special Concern", at the Wallkill River NWR they provide significant habitat for nesting and foraging herons. There are ample opportunities to observe these large but graceful birds foraging at the Liberty Loop.

Visit The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
800 Great Creek Rd.
Oceanville, NJ
Website
Open to the public for hiking walking, and other passive recreation. Restrooms, offices, and nature centers have been closed and events cancelled until further notice,
The refuge consists of more than 47,000 acres of coastal tidal wetland habitats that provide nesting, migrating and wintering habitat for many waterfowl species. The refuge is designated a Wetland of International Importance under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. There are many animals that live year-round on the Refuge, while other wildlife varies with the season. The Refuge is located on the Atlantic Flyway and serves as both a transitory point for migrating birds and a seasonal home for many species. Take a walk on the many trails. Look carefully for white tail deer, wild turkeys, and squirrels. Near the fresh water habitats watch for muskrats and otters.

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question: Dogs on Beaches. - Are there any beaches in NJ that permit dogs on the beaches & boardwalk during the summer?

Answer: The ordinances allowing dogs on beaches and boardwalks in NJ are very restrictive, with very few locations that allow dogs on the beach during the summer from April 1st until October 1st.
Visit here for information on the Top dog friendly beaches along the Jersey Shore

Top Ten Things To Do in April - The popular NJ seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages.

April 2020 Events - This months events includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Monthly Events - This page has links to events that appear in future months, usually 3-4 months in advance. The Monthly newsletter that you are receiving includes many of the events found on the pages.