ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK – Hundreds of people decided to start their new year off with an afternoon trek along the beach on January 1.
Around 500 people had signed up for the “First Walk” activity that kicked off at 1:30 p.m., organized by the Friends of Island Beach State Park, a non-profit organization formed to enhance interpretive, educational, recreational, research programs and events.
While most walkers had two feet, there were several four-legged hikers who put their paw prints into the sand for the invigorating walk. The event was dog friendly and featured temperatures in the 40s with a mild wind that kept walkers awake for the one-mile destination and one mile return to the Friends tent.
Members of the Friends promoted some of their merchandise that included sweatshirts, caps and other items in support of the organization.
For those who got back sooner than later, you had a better chance at sampling some s’mores that were provided for free (although donations were happily taken) near the tent where a small bonfire was cooking.
A number of walkers not only took part in the activity to start a fresh slate to the year and to get some exercise but to also help pick up some debris along their path.
There was one group of walkers who discovered and removed a cutting board during their trek. “Why would someone bring a cutting board to the beach and leave it here,” the walker asked.
For some children who took part in the walk, finding and discarding the strange debris found was a bit of a treasure hunt. “Look what I found?” one pre-teen remarked in excitement, refusing to show it to a sibling before he could first show it to his mother.
Two young children who came with their mother brought along their baby dolls but mom didn’t want the task of holding the dolls once her kids got tired from the walk. She said one child in particular “is a problem solver. She brought an empty box with a string to pull the dolls in like a wagon so they could enjoy the walk down the beach too.”
There are nature programs available at the park including Wild Child programs for children, kayak tours, trail hikes, guided walks, beginner’s surfing, fishing clinic, clamming the Barnegat Bay, coastal cooking and a photography seminar.
The Friends have published 30,000 free visitor guides, host a Beach Plum Festival that normally draws around 8,000 people, the Barrier Island Classic adult and child surf contests, a beach soccer tournament in August, salt water aquariums, a spotting scope for birding at the nature center, folding chairs and tables plus televisions at nature and interpretive centers.
All funds collected serve to support the group’s programs and are raised by volunteers through donations.
During the summer the organization offers daily program including pulling a seine net through Barnegat Bay and discovering the amazing creatures who live in the bay as well as beach walks to uncover shells, identify plants and animals and learning about the extensive dune system at IBSP.
There are custom group tours available for schools, clubs, civic organizations and other groups. For information about programs contact the park at 732-793-0506 or visit islandbeachnatureprograms.org
For information on how to join the Friends, e-mail info@FriendsofIslandBeach.org or visit FriendsofIslandBeach.org. The group can also be found on Facebook.com/FriendsofIslandBeach.
