Voorhees State Park is a
state park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...
in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
of
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
. It is in area and is located in
Lebanon Township. The park is operated and maintained by the
New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
In the state of New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry is an administrative division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In its most visible role, the Division is directly responsible for the management and ...
.
History
Voorhees State Park began when
Foster M. Voorhees, a former governor of New Jersey, donated his farm to the people of New Jersey in 1929. Succeeding land acquisitions increased the park size to .
During the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
in the 1930s, the park served as a camp for the
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a voluntary government work relief program that ran from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men ages 18–25 and eventually expanded to ages 17–28. The CCC was a major part of ...
(CCC), which planted trees and constructed shelters and trails throughout the park. The park offers views of
Round Valley Reservoir and
Spruce Run Reservoir
Spruce Run Recreation Area is a New Jersey state recreation area located in Union Township and Clinton Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. It encompasses the Spruce Run Reservoir that is used as a backup reservoir to prot ...
.
Camping
Camping is an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home, either without shelter or using basic shelter such as a tent, or a recreational vehicle. Typically, participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more nat ...
is allowed in the park for a fee, depending on the type of campsite. There are 47 tent and trailer campsites. There are 2 group campsites that can accommodate up to 50 people each. There also are 3 rustic, cabin-like structures with wood stoves for heat. Each cabin can accommodate up to 4 people in 2 double-deck single bunk beds. All sites and cabins have fire rings and picnic tables. Toilets and showers are within walking distance from the all campsites and cabins. The trailer sanitary station is open April 1 through October 31. Campsites and cabins are open all year.
In 1965, the
New Jersey Astronomical Association built the
Paul Robinson Observatory on land leased from the state. The observatory features a
Cassegrain reflecting telescope
A reflecting telescope (also called a reflector) is a telescope that uses a single or a combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image. The reflecting telescope was invented in the 17th century by Isaac Newton as an alternati ...
and offers public sky-watch programs.
Voorhees State Park main entrance is across the street (
County Route 513) from
Voorhees High School
Voorhees High School is a four-year public high school located in Lebanon Township, named for Foster McGowan Voorhees, the 30th Governor of New Jersey. It is one of two high schools in the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District ...
; also named after Foster M. Voorhees.
Gallery
File:Voorhees State Park, NJ - entrance.jpg, Entrance
File:Paul Robinson Observatory, Voorhees State Park, NJ.jpg, Paul Robinson Observatory
See also
*
List of New Jersey state parks
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry manages a public park system which consists of over 50 protected areas designated as state parks, state forests, recreation areas, and other properties within the state of New Jersey in the United ...
*
Voorhees High School
Voorhees High School is a four-year public high school located in Lebanon Township, named for Foster McGowan Voorhees, the 30th Governor of New Jersey. It is one of two high schools in the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District ...
References
External links
NY-NJTC: Voorhees State Park Trail Details and Info
Parks in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
State parks of New Jersey
IUCN Category V
Civilian Conservation Corps in New Jersey
Civilian Conservation Corps camps
Lebanon Township, New Jersey
{{HunterdonCountyNJ-geo-stub