Coasting Through Local Beaches
By Veronica MacDonald Ditko
An Accidental Anthropologist
My husband was listening to the radio the other day. A well-known celebrity was gushing about how she loved New Jersey, it’s music, and even spent a lot of time on the “Jersey Coast.” My husband cringed. My neck did a very subtle warp too when he retold the story.
Immediately both of us knew she was not telling the whole truth. If you truly spent time down there, you wouldn’t call it that. It’s the Jersey Shore folks! We all know a certain (recently cancelled) reality program has put that term on people’s radar across the country, but obviously not this celebrity’s.
I happened to grow up on the shore myself. I remember in college, buying a sweatshirt that said “Jersey Girl” on it and bringing it back to my Massachusetts school. A lot of people there had a different idea of what that meant. But I wore it anyway.
I often met people from New York and Massachusetts at that school. When I said I was from the shore, most mistook me for being from Long Island. No, not those shores! And when I mentioned a beach, immediately it was Jones Beach. “Oh, I saw a concert there,” people said to me a lot. Sometimes I just gave up.
I think people from the Tri-State area and even New England don’t realize that the Atlantic coast of the U.S. extends all the way to Florida, and along the way, most places have beaches. Some are more famous than others. Some are tiny inlets among the dune grass and reeds. Some are private. Some are State parks. But they are there nonetheless.
The only place I think the term “Coast” applies to is Maine. Maybe that is because it’s really rocky. The word “shore” evokes more of a fun summertime with sandy beaches, French fries and taffy, and the scent of sunscreen wafting in the breeze. At least it does for me. It sounds like a place I want to go.
But up here in Northern New Jersey, the shore can sometimes feel miles away. I’ve discovered several places that have beaches, but are no more than a stone’s throw away with a lot less traffic. The warm weather extends well into September, so enjoy. Here are my recommendations, and keep in mind I have two boys, so these were fun for them and accessible for a small fee:
Swartswood State Forest (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/swartswood.html). Our favorite part of this beach was the concession stand when our charcoal failed to light, but the playground was also a hit. A lot of families come here and camp, and there is a nice tight-knit feeling on the beach.
Stony Lake, Stokes State Forest (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/stokes.html). The beach is back this year, after a bridge that was washed away by Hurricane Irene was replaced. The beach has some shade, a small playground, and a great new facility to shower and dress if needed.
Shepherd Lake, Ringwood State Forest (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ringwood.html). The view from the building is great as you sit in a retro cafeteria and eat. The beach is small but fun, with rentable canoes and paddleboats nearby and lots of area to run and play and barbeque.
Lake Wawaywanda (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/wawayanda.html). This quiet lake in Hewitt requires little advance planning, since concessions and even beach items are for sale.
If you have any other beaches to add to the list, please let us know!
Veronica MacDonald Ditko is originally from the Jersey Shore, but married and settled in northern New Jersey. Her journalism career started a decade ago after studying Psychology and Anthropology in Massachusetts. She has written for several newspapers and magazines including The Daily Hampshire Gazette, The Springfield Union News and Sunday Republican, Happi, Chemical Week, The Hawthorne Press, The Jewish Standard, Suite101.com and more.