Hidden Gems of South Jersey. Discover Estell Manor Park

By Tammy Thornton

Looking for a fun place to take the family to experience the great outdoors?  Estell Manor Park in Atlantic County is a Hidden Gem of South Jersey that offers about 1700 acres of nature to enjoy.  My first memories of the Atlantic County Park go back almost 20 years, when I would bring my little boy to our church’s playgroup. We moms were always looking for ways to keep our active sons busy.  Estell Manor Park was a favorite on our list of summer excursions.  We would visit the Warren E. Fox Nature Center before taking the kiddos on hikes through the woods, stopping to have lunch among the trees. 

Butterfly and pollinator garden Photo credit: Atlantic County Parks

Today, you can visit the park and walk some of the 20 miles of trails while studying nature and bird watching. If you are observant, it’s possible to see bald eagles, otters, beavers, red foxes, or a yellow-bellied sap sucker. On a recent visit with my husband, our 12-year-old son, and his friend, we spotted an Eastern Bluebird and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.  We were also fortunate to see a five-striped skink and a few steps further, found an adult skink with a red head. Upon leaving the park, we saw a black rat snake on the side of the road. Skinks, and snakes, oh my!  But as one who likes the gentler, less scaly side of nature, the park had plenty to offer me as well.  We had visited the park with the intention of seeing the mountain laurel blooming at the peak of its season and were not disappointed.  All along the forest roads and walking paths, mountain laurel cascaded from its tall shrubs.  We enjoyed walking along part of the 1.8 mile Swamp Trail Boardwalk, which is a fully-accessible elevated wooded nature trail that meanders through the woods.

According to the Estell Manor Park’s website, “After the Native Americans, this land was owned by the Estell family and was the site of a glassworks in the 1800’s, then became the site of a munitions plant during World War I. After 70 years, the forest has reclaimed this area, and is now home to an incredible diversity of plants and animals.”  Parts of Estellville Glassworks can still be found at the park. 

Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts know that the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery is located within the park. Volunteer troops of Scouts often remember the veterans by planting flags at their gravesites. Adjacent to the cemetery is the Atlantic County Veterans Museum located in the historic Daniel Estell House.  According to Atlantic-County.org, “The building is the former home of Rebecca Estell Bourgeois Winston, the first mayor of Estell Manor and the first female mayor in New Jersey. It was built in 1832 by Winston’s grandfather and remodeled in the 1920s to Colonial Revival style.”

Entryway to butterfly and pollinator garden. Photo credit: Atlantic County Parks

A newly completed and ongoing project of the park is the construction of a butterfly and pollinator garden, located near the Warren E. Fox Nature Center.  One part of the garden features a butterfly made of flowers, surrounded by raised beds filled with pollinator-attracting flowers such as purple coneflower, bee balm, catmint, and salvia.  The new garden should attract nature lovers as well as pollinators. 

As of June 15, 2020, the park will begin accepting reservations for rental/use of its pavilions at various park locations.  The park also has grills and picnic tables available on a “first come first serve” basis.

Some of the other activities to be enjoyed at the park are fishing off the floating dock or on the South River, camping, boating, and mountain biking.  For the sports enthusiasts, the park has softball and soccer fields as well as sand courts for volleyball. 

All accessible elevated boardwalk.

In accordance with state guidance, some sections of the park remain closed, such as the nature center, administrative offices, and playgrounds due to Covid-19 restrictions. But many of the park’s offerings are open and available, including restrooms.  We all know that changes occur quickly, so these restrictions could be lifted soon.  For detailed information about the park and up-to-date information on reopening of facilities, go to www.atlantic-county.org/parks/.  Estell Manor Park is located 3.5 miles south of Mays Landing on Route 50. County parks are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to half an hour after sunset.

Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher.  She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
RECENT POSTS