Voorhees State Park

Voorhees State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is 1400 acres (5.67 km²) in area, located along the Raritan River in northern Hunterdon County near Glen Gardner. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.

Voorhees State Park began when Foster M. Voorhees, a former governor of New Jersey, donated his convert|325|acre|km2|sing=on farm to the people of New Jersey in 1929. Succeeding land acquisitions increased the park size to convert|640|acre|km2.

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the park served as a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which planted trees and constructed shelters and trails throughout the park. The park offers views of Round Valley Reservoir and Spruce Run Reservoir. Camping 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 an observatory on land leased from the state. The observatory features a 26-in (66 cm) Newtonian reflecting telescope and offers public sky-watch programs.

ee also

Several deaths took place in this park during the great depression. The first strike of the depression took place in Voorhees State Park leading to several riots that broke out shortly after. It is believed that this park is haunted by several of the victims that died during the depression.

*List of New Jersey state parks

External links

* [http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/voorhees.html Voorhees State Park official site]