From state parks to historic sites, Mayor Mignogna discusses the plethora of activities you’ll find in New Jersey this season.
As summer is now upon us, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminds us of the many events and natural resources that are available in New Jersey’s 39 state parks, 11 forests, 38 historic sites and 121 wildlife management areas. Our state has 354,000 acres designated as wildlife management areas.
Last year, New Jersey’s state parks had 19 million visitors. The parks offer opportunities to experience firsthand New Jersey’s natural and historic resources through wildlife management and interpretive centers, hiking trails, lakes, rivers, forests, beaches and historic monuments and battlefields covering 800,000 acres.
The DEP has launched a new mobile phone application and online camping reservation system to help visitors plan for and make the most out of their trips. Also, new are the trail tracker interactive map and state park and forestry story map.
The state parks offer discounts for seniors 62 and older.
Learn more through the following websites:
New Jersey State Parks and Forests, GPS Mobile App and Online Camping Reservations: nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/
Division of Fish and Wildlife, GPS Mobile App: nj.gov/dep/fgw/
New Jersey State Parks Facebook Link: htpps://www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks
Calendar of Events: nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/calendar/index.html
Official New Jersey Tourism Website: www.visitnj.org
In other news:
** The Voorhees Breakfast and Dinner Rotary Clubs are sponsoring the Great Jersey Peach Fundraiser to help Voorhees elementary school teachers provide healthy snacks for children who do not have enough to eat. You can help by ordering fresh locally grown peaches. Order by July 20 at www.farmhousefruit.com/fundraising/rcv, and your peaches will be available for pick up on Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Voorhees Middle School loading dock. Rotary members will be standing by to swiftly give you your order.
** The second show in our Summer Concert Series will be Thursday, July 19, and will feature “Good Vibrations: A Celebration of the Beach Boys.” Good Vibrations blends the vocal layering and studio precision that is a signature of the Beach Boys with the energy of a live stage production. “Good Vibrations” covers the greatest hits of the Beach Boys and their more than 30 years of making music. The show is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Connolly Park. A beer garden and food trucks will open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com or call the show hot line at (856) 882-SHOW.
**The VTPD will hold their fifth annual junior police academy from July 23 to 27. The program teaches our young people from the ages of 12 to 17 to appreciate and respect the duties of a police officer. Interested parents and applicants can contact Sgt. Eric Camm at (856) 882–1104 or at ecamm@vtpd.com. Applications and forms for the police academy can be found at vtpd.com/gpa.
**The Voorhees Theatre Company summer theatre camp will feature “Shrek The Musical, Jr.” with performances on Aug. 1 at 10 a.m., Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The summer young adult show will be “Hairspray” with performances on Aug. 9, 10 and 11.
**Our fourth annual National Night Out will be Tuesday, Aug. 7, beginning at 6 p.m. at Connolly Park. The VTPD does a great job in organizing this community event. The evening promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie while striving to make our neighborhoods safer. The residents get a chance to meet our police officers and enjoy carnival attractions, games, music, great food and more.
