March. A time when you’re teased by warm spring weather one day, and then plunged back into winter the next. But don’t get discouraged. The real spring weather will be here.
If that lure of warm weather goads you to get out of the house and stretch your legs, there are plenty of parks and playgrounds to make everyone in the family happy.
SWEDESBORO
Let’s start with Lake Narraticon Swedesboro Park. This shady secluded park is located at the end of Park Avenue, next to Lake Park Cemetery. It’s off the beaten path but well worth the effort.
Many years ago, this was the only recreational facility in the Swedesboro and Woolwich area. The park boasted a beach, lifeguard, swimming lessons, two docks to swim to, and even a refreshment stand. For years, the lifeguard was Ralph Baker, who was also a teacher and drivers education instructor at Kingsway.
There was a picnic bench and a tall metal swing to play on if the water was too cold. And if you were adventurous, you could trapse through the surrounding woods and even try climbing Motorcycle Hill.
Now the old picnic bench has been replaced with new ones and a gazebo has been added. A new, much safer swing set and other playground equipment are also there. Even the woods have been transformed into actual trails with steps, railings, and footing.
The lake is stocked annually with trout. You can fish from the fishing dock and from the beach line. Kayaking and canoeing are popular there with a kayak launching dock.
WOOLWICH TWP.
Woolwich Township offers a variety of outdoor activities in Locke Ave. Park, High Hill Park West, and Tranquility Trails. Tranquility Trails is also located on High Hill Road.
Both Locke Ave. Park and High Hill Park connect with a walking path. The parks have an abundance of athletic fields, basketball courts, and playground equipment.
There is a disk golf course located in the Tranquility Trails Park. If you have a private group that wants to play, reservations need to be made. Otherwise, it’s on a first come, first serve basis.
The paved paths are popular for walking and jogging throughout the High Hill and Locke Ave. Parks.
Tranquility trails on High Hill Road also offers nature walking trails. Out and back, it is 1.6 mile mostly open field trail. And since it’s a nature trail, be prepared for Mother Nature’s paving of dirt and grass, and sometimes mud.
Pickle ball courts are scheduled to be completed in late April. Eight lit pickleball courts will be located to the right of the Woolwich Municipal Building at 120 Village Green Drive.
You can also find the community garden there. If you like to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers and want to be with similar gardeners, you can rent your own plot of ground there. Plots as large as 20×30 feet are available to rent. Raised bed plots are available in the Swedesboro Auction Park in Swedesboro. This is just down the road from the Locke Ave. Park entrance.
For information on the Woolwich Township Garden, please contact Jane DiBella at jdibella@woolwichtwp.org. For Information on the Swedesboro Auction Park Garden, please contact Lois Elder at lelder@swedesboro-nj.us.
EAST GREENWICH
Thompson Park on East Wolfert Station Road in Mickleton has three commercial size swing/playground sets. One is for smaller children, and one is set up as a Ninja course.
The paved walking trials are dog friendly. Dogs must be leashed and of course, cleaned up after. But if you want them to run free, there are two fenced areas for the dogs. There is one for small size dogs and another for large dogs.
The park has two full size basketball courts, and even a beach volleyball court. The township has five tennis courts – three at Thompson Park and two at the Little Red School House in Mickleton.
Let’s not forget the two pickleball courts at Thompson Park. All courts, tennis, pickleball, basketball and beach volleyball are available on a first come basis.
Mickleton Park on Democrat Road has a Nature Center put there by the East Greenwich Environmental Commission. There is a kiosk information center to direct you to planting in the park. The Park also has a walking trail, swing/playground set and a pergola.
LOGAN
Logan’s Township Line Road Park offers playground equipment, sports fields, basketball courts, and pickleball courts. In fact, Logan has a pickle ball club.
Weather permitting, they play at the court at the Township Line Road Park from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The cold and rain doesn’t stop the loyal players. They play indoors in the Multipurpose Gym from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Logan Township Municipal Building, 125 Main Street in Bridgeport.
Visit Logan Township Pickleball Club on Facebook to get more information or reach out to Liz Dixon at (609) 617-4277 or Art Smith at (856) 217-3390.
The Dream Park on Route 130 isn’t just for horses. During the first week of March, stop in and watch dog agility trials.
This is every dog lover’s dream. You can see just about every breed of dogs there competing, from chihuahuas to border collies to Bernese mountain dogs. I even saw a great dane. The dogs jump, climb, tetter totter, and zig zag through their obstacle course.
During the rest of the weekends, you’ll find just as many different horse breeds competing. You’ll find reiners, jumpers, western and English shows.
The dog agility and horse shows are free to watch. I have also noticed bird watching groups taking advantage of the marsh aviary habitat.
SOUTH HARRISON TWP.
South Harrison has Stewart Park at 67 Ferrell Road. There you’ll find athletic fields, walking paths, and tennis courts.
The park is also the location of the South Harrison Fall Festival, offering amusement rides, food, crafts and more.
