Editor’s Note: We love nature centers and are grateful for @seek.discover.play on IG– who covered Cooper Environmental Center which is part of Cattus Island County Park. This is a newly renovated center, and definitely a great stop if you are in the Toms River area. Make sure you check out her other reviews here.
Basic Information about Cooper Environmental Center:
“The Cooper Environmental Center is open:
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm, exluding major holidays.
The Center’s first hour is reserved for Seniors and vulnerable populations.
Come and visit the newly renovated nature center with brand new exhibits highlighting the natural beauty of the park and the Barnegat Bay! There is a Wheel Chair accessible 1000ft ADA Boardwalk.
Take in the unspoiled beauty of Cattus Island County Park, which spans 530 acres and 7 miles of trails. Take a leisurely walk along the main trail to the beach, or walk a trail and enjoy many lovely vistas of Barnegat Bay. Cattus Island is home to the newly renovated Cooper Environmental Center where visitors of all ages will enjoy hands-on educational displays such as a live view osprey cam, habitat tree and tunnel, bird viewing area, children’s activity corner and a spectacular collection of live reptiles and fish. The park also contains a beautiful Butterfly Garden where you can view native plants and pollinators.“
Address:
1170 Cattus Island Boulevard
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-270-6960
website: https://www.oceancountyparks.org/frmRegContentPrks?ID=0751673c-9513-4ecc-8f3e-3e65b0f2ec45
Seek.Discover.Play Summary:
“The Cooper Environmental Center is a gem within Cattus Island County Park.
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The newly renovated Cooper Environmental Center is a place where visitors of all ages can enjoy hands-on educational displays like a live view osprey cam, habitat tree and tunnel, bird viewing area, children’s activity corner and a huge collection of live reptiles and fish.
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The 5,000 square foot building was designed to meet the growing environmental, educational, and recreational needs of Ocean County.
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Just outside the building is an observation deck with a gorgeous view of the Barnegate Bay, as well as a Wheel Chair accessible 1000ft ADA Boardwalk.
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There is also a beautiful Butterfly Garden outside the entrance where you can view native plants and pollinators.
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Admission to the Cooper Environmental Center is Free.
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm.
The Center’s first hour is reserved for Seniors and vulnerable populations.“
