Toms River, NJ – Cattus Island County Park has experienced unprecedented coastal flooding in January, leading to extensive damage and closures of its popular trails. The park faced two major coastal storms within a single week, compounded by several weeks of consistent rainfall, causing the most significant flooding recorded at the site to date.
The main trail was closed for six days due to high tidal waters breaching the main causeway, forcing the entire park to shut down for one and a half days. The closure was due to the inaccessibility of the Cooper Environmental Center and other trails surrounding it. Recent rains have exacerbated the situation, with high tides running higher than usual, further damaging the trails and hampering cleanup efforts.
Currently, the Orange Trail is fully closed, with partial closures affecting the Blue, White, and Yellow trails due to substantial structural damage, rendering these areas unsafe for visitors. Park officials caution that many sections of the trails may be muddy or boggy, urging visitors to heed the “closed trail signs” for their safety.
Staff and volunteers are assessing the damage, cleaning up, and undertaking necessary repairs. These affected sections will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so, ensuring the well-being of all park visitors.