Cheesequake State Park - New Jersey
N 40° 26.109 W 074° 15.840
18T E 562424 N 4476316
Cheesequake State Park is located in Old Bridge Twp, Middlesex County, NJ. The park is situated in the salt marshes and tidal estuary of Cheesequake Creek near its mouth on Raritan Bay, as well as in the surrounding hills overlooking the estuary.
Waymark Code: WM2PB5
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 11/30/2007
Views: 93
Cheesequake State Park’s uniqueness lies in its geographical location. Not only is it situated in the middle of the urban north and the suburban south, it lies in a transitional zone between two different ecosystems. Open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, Pine Barrens, and a northeastern hardwood forest are the main characteristics of the park.
Location:
Middlesex County
Mailing Address:
300 Gordon Road
Matawan, NJ 07747
(732) 566-2161
Size: 1,569 acres
Fees: Entrance fees are only charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
$ 5.00
weekdays
$10.00
weekends
Park Type: Day Use & Overnight
Activities:
Interpretive center
Trails
Camping
Fishing
Picnicking
Boating/canoeing
Swimming
Winter sports
Hiking
Nature trails
Mountain biking
Biking
Background:
Cheesequake also has a long history of human activity. The name "Cheesequake" is probably an English alteration of an original indian name. (The Raritan Bay area has a rich indian history, most of which is probably buried beneath the mud in the bay). The hills around the creek were farmed and developed by early settlers. The creek is navigable for approximately two miles landward; the remains of old docks still exist at the end of the "dock road." Goods shipped off to market as well as a rich history of smuggleing contraband no doubt took place here. In the mid 19th Century to early 20th Century several industrial plants and many homes existed within the park area. The manufacture of ceramics was a primary industry. This industry and housing is all gone now, but, unfortunately, it left a lasting legacy of hazardous chemical waste that has a part of the park closed indefinitely.
Link to Park: [Web Link]
Additional Entrance Points: N 40° 26.085 W 074° 15.820
Park Fees: Not listed
Date Established?: Not listed
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