Barnegat Lighthouse State Park - New Jersey
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member chstress53
N 39° 45.875 W 074° 06.337
18S E 576606 N 4402011
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is home to the 165 foot tall Barnegat Lighthouse and is part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. This area was considered one of the most crucial "change of course" points for coastal vessels. The Barnegat Lighthouse was relied upon by ships making their way to New York City in order to avoid the shoals extending out from the shoreline.
Waymark Code: WM1H43
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 05/08/2007
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member wilkintj
Views: 60
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Barnegat Lighthouse (colloquially known as "Old Barney")
Climb to the top of this 165 foot lighthouse and get a magnificent panormic view of Long Beach Island, inland New Jersey, Island Beach State Park and the Atlantic Ocean.

Maritime Forest
This is one of the last remnants of maritime forest in New Jersey. The forest is made up of black cherry, eastern red cedar and American holly and is an important resting and feeding area for migratory birds. A short self-guided trail leads through the forest.

Birding
During the spring and fall is the perfect time to observe the many species of migratory birds. Shorebirds and ducks, along with black-crowned night heron, snowy egret, brown pelican and harlequin ducks can all be found in the park.

Picnic Area/Fishing Access
A 1,033-foot concrete walkway with handrails on for the south jetty provides fishing access for people with disabilities. The picnic area, which includes grills, is also accessible to those with disabilities. Saltwater anglers have access to the bulkhead along the picnic area where they can catch striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, summer flounder, tautog, winter flounder and black bass.

Park Type: Day use & part of the Coastal Heritage Trail

Activities:
The 31.8-acre park is popular for nature observation, including a wide variety of birds during spring and fall migrations. Nesting birds are protected, and birds such as piping plovers, least terns, black skimmers, and others can be observed and photographed. 32 acres Barnegat Lighthouse Maritime Forest Nature Trails Walkways Picnic table, picnic shelters Fishing Birdwatching Summer Evening Programs

Park Fees:


Background:
The original lighthouse at Barnegat Inlet went into service in 1835. The forty-foot tower was equipped with eleven lamps and reflectors that did a less than adequate job of lighting the way for seafarers. In 1854, the beacon was replaced with a fourth order fresnel lens. Just a year later Lt. George G. Meade (who would later lead Union troops in the Battle of Gettysburg) inspected the tower and reported it to be in poor condition, constructed of inferior materials. His recommendations resulted in the beautiful Light that stands by the Inlet today. First illuminated on January 1, 1859, the Barnegat Lighthouse is 170 feet tall and features a first order fresnel lens which was constructed at the famous French Furnace at St. Gobain. 1,024 separate prisms were mounted in bronze fittings forming a lens eight feet in diameter and fifteen feet high. The five ton light was delicately balanced on heavy bronze rollers, allowing the assembly to be rotated with the pressure of the little finger. The light was rotated by an elaborate clock assembly, including a 150-pound weight suspended on a 60-foot cable. The mechanism had to be wound hourly by a crew who operated in three shifts throughout the night. In 1927 the light was automated. It shown its beacon until it was decommissioned in 1944.

Date Established?: 1957

Link to Park: [Web Link]

Additional Entrance Points: Not Listed
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