Cattus island park

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Cattus Island Park also know as just Cattus Island is a 497 acre county plant & wildlife preserve located in Toms River, NJ. Cattus Island is park of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. Cattus Island is home to the Cooper Environmental Center, an educational center which displays collections of local wildlife including snakes, reptiles and aquatic animals. The center also provides educational programs and presentations to the public.

1 History
2 About the Park
3 Cooper Environmental Center
- 3.1 Junior Naturalist Program
4 Park Activities
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

The first European explorer to set foot on what became Ocean County soil was Captain Cornelius Hendrickson, who in 1614 explored the New Jersey coast in the Onrust (or Restless) between the latitudes 38 and 40 degrees. He sailed down Barnegat Bay and located the 300 acres Cattus Island. (Miller, 2000:4-6)

William Dockwra, Secretary and Registrar for the Board of Proprietors in England, bought Cattus Island. (Miller, 2000:44) The "island" has remained a single parcel since 1690 when the Board of Proprietors of the Province of East Jersey divided this coastal region.

In 1758 Joseph Page purchased Cattus Island. On Page's Island farm sheep were raised along with flax and corn crops. (Miller, 2000:99)

It was the Page family, who moved here in 1763, that first settled the island. Timothy Page, born on the island during that year, served in the local militia during the American Revolution. During the Revolutionary War, local residents used the area to bring captured British vessels into the Toms River in order to off load their cargoes. Homesteaders also used the island for farming. Flax was grown, livestock raised, and salt hay cut. Most probably Timothy Page was a privateer, essentially a pirate licensed by the Continental Congress. During the war, British ships were lured into Barnegat Bay through the Cranberry Inlet, only to be attacked and their cargos sold for profit. Cranberry Inlet, an opening to the Atlantic near present-day Ortley Beach, existed between 1750 and 1812. It was opened and closed by strong storms.

After the death of Timothy Page, the family house burned down, and the property was sold to Lewis Applegate. He moved there in 1842 and developed the southeastern section of the island, now named for him. He built a sawmill and a port for lumer boats. The island was sold again in 1867 and was slated to be developed as a resort, but the 1873 depression cancelled the project.

1895 -- John V. A. Cattus, a New York importer and Olympic class athlete, bought the land and developed it as a retreat. Hunting and fishing were the favorite sports of Cattus and his friends. He built a hunting lodge on the island. Cattus also loved boating and owned many boats.

1964 -- when Cattus died, the land was sold in 1964 by his sons to developers.

1970s -- New state laws passed in the early 1970s limiting development in wetlands and along the coast discouraged the developers.

1973 -- Ocean County purchased this 497 acres of land. The property was acquired with county tax dollars and state "Green Acres" funds.

1976 -- the park opened to the public.

1977 -- trail development began. ^[1]

[edit] About the Park

[edit] At a Glance

497 Acres 3-mile bay front. 7 miles of marked trails. Describe park borders. Describe unique features.

[edit] Park Ecosystems

The first ecosystem, located in Cattus Island Park, is an upland pine/oak forest, which is mostly comprised of oak trees (Quercus sp.) and a few scatterings of pine trees, such as the pitch pines (Pinus rigida) and the short leaf yellow pines (Pinus echinata). Even though Cattus Island Park is a maritime forest, within its pine/oak forest, one can find many of the same shrubs and animal species that are native to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

Cattus Island Park offers a second ecosystem: a freshwater wetland. This wetland is dominated by hardwood trees such as Red or Swamp Maple (Acer rubrum), Sour Gum or Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) and a wide variety of others. There are a few small stands of living Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) located in this wetland area. However, in this area, large stands of dead Atlantic white cedar also exist. They have been standing since the 1920's. Prior to the 1920's, the northern part of the Barnegat Bay, where Cattus Island is located, was mainly fresh water. After the Manasquan inlet was constructed, saltwater from the ocean infiltrated into the Northern portion of the bay. As a result, the Atlantic white cedar, which is an obligate freshwater species, was killed.

The third ecosystem that thrives within the park is a vast track of salt marsh, which contains several species of Spartina grasses. It is from these salt marshes that Cattus Island gets part of its name. Several times a year, the marshes flood. This is often a result of snowmelt, spring/summer storms or high tides. During the floods, the second bit of upland is completely inaccessible. Hence, it becomes an 'island'.^[2]

[edit] Plant Life

[edit] Cooper Environmental Center

The Cooper Environmental Center is a major resource for conservation and education, featuring a 5,000 square foot solar powered building with an eighty seat meeting room, major exhibit area, and various work areas. 90% of the building is open to the public.

Exhibits include live lizards and fish as well as a number of hands-on displays relating to the local environment. Throughout the year families can enjoy many special events, programs, workshops and other activities. Just a few include guided hikes along some of the many miles of trails; Bird Watching lessons (the area is an important migration stopover); Topical Slide Shows; Angler's Workshops; and many other nature-related topics.

Other activities are seasonal and include cross-country skiing, tracking, seining, foliage touring, and taking a naturalist-guided boat tour. Youngsters may want to get involved in the Junior Naturalist Program. Here they receive valuable training while helping to maintain the live animals, assisting the naturalists on guiding visitors, and perform other essential tasks.

Programs for Groups, including School Groups include Slide Shows, Nature Walks, Salt Marsh Hikes (prepare to get wet), Nature Plastercrafting, Seining, and more. Programs are adaptable for any age and provide excellent opportunities for education and adventure.^[3]

[edit] Junior Naturalist Program

This program is for children ages 8-12. You must pre-register before you can volunteer. You can acquire an application during the months of January or July in the Cooper Enviromental Center at Cattus Island County Park. You will work with the public during our programs and have a great time working with our trained staff. visit http://www.orgsites.com/nj/ocjn/ for more info!

[edit] Park Activities

Birding, boardwalk through wetlands, conservation area, environmental education site, crabbing, cross-country skiing, fishing, handicap-accessible, 7 miles of hikeable nature trails, picnic area, playground, restrooms, scenic overlooks.