Ocean county's last bastion of the outdoors shutdown today

BRICK, NJ – It was one of the best-kept secrets in the outdoorsman underground for the past month. As county officials shut down every park under their jurisdiction and municipal leaders followed suit, shutting down town parks, today, the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge has been shut down.

“The trails in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge are temporarily closed as of April 24, 2020,” Brick Township announced today. “The Cedar Bonnet Island Trail and the deCamp Wildlife Trail are closed temporarily as of April 24, 2020 in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. These closures follow guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health authorities. Updates will be posted to the refuge website and social media channels.”

The move shuts down the Brick township DeCamp trail portion of the statewide preserve. It also affects the Cedar Bonnet Island Trail along the Route 72 causeway near Long Beach Island.

It was the last place to legally walk the trails and enjoy nature in Ocean County during the Trenton mandated lockdown.

The refuge extends from Brigantine to Brick Township. Other areas and trails at the refuge will remain open.

Edwin B. Forsythe COVID-19 Status:

Edwin B. Forsythe’s visitor information center is closed.
The refuge is open and the entrance fee is waived until further notice.
Restrooms on the refuge are closed until further notice.
All refuge programming and events have been postponed until further notice.

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