Day Trip for the Dogs

It’s been well documented that Americans are increasingly devoted to their pets, seeking to include them in every facet of family life. Municipalities, businesses, and the tourism industry have taken note, offering more and more pet-friendly options that won’t take a big bite out of one’s budget, force families to leave pets home alone for hours on end, or search for affordable and reliable kennels for longer stays. With those thoughts in mind, this month’s column takes a look at some fun places in our area that welcome Fluffy or Fido – because the furry members of the family would surely enjoy a day trip, too! 

Just a stone’s throw from home, and part of the Monmouth County Park System (www.monmouthcountyparks.com), are two specially designated off-leash dog areas for dog owners and their canine companions.  In Lincroft, NJ, off of Newman Springs Road, the Thompson Park Off-Leash Dog Area is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk and combines two areas – one parcel of 1 ¼ acres for dogs over 35 pounds and one ¼-acre area for smaller pups weighing 35 pounds or less. Visitors may park in the Three Barns parking lot adjacent to the off-leash area. Water is available and toilets are nearby in the Creative Arts Center. Surrounding the off-leash areas are 667 beautiful acres at Thompson Park that are perfect for strolling – with a leash, of course. 

The park system’s second off-leash dog area is at the Wolf Hill Recreation Area on Crescent Place in Oceanport, NJ. Also open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, it offers a combined space for dogs of all sizes, plus a smaller area for those 35 pounds or less.  Pooches and their people will find three concrete patios, each with a sheltered picnic table. Dog waste bags and garbage cans are available and there are portable toilets near the parking lot, but no water source. There is also plenty of parking. Beyond the off-leash area are another 92 acres to enjoy exploring together. 

For both Monmouth County Park System sites, puppies must be at least four months old and dogs six months or older must be spayed or neutered. All dogs need to be up-to-date with vaccinations and wear a collar with license. Each pet owner may bring up to two dogs and are required to stay with them and carry a leash for each pet. Children younger than eight years old are not permitted in the off-leash areas and need to be supervised by an adult. So as to avoid the puppy parks being too packed, there is a limit of 20 dogs/25 owners at Thompson Park and 25 dogs/35 owners at Wolf Hill Recreation.

A bit further south is the area known by locals as “dog beach.”  Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area is located on Third Avenue at the Manasquan Inlet. Here, pets whose owners travel from far and wide have the opportunity to enjoy some uninhibited doggie paddling in the cool water on a hot summer day, or simply frolic along the beach for a spirited game of catch. Bear in mind that this 55-acre site, also part of the Monmouth County Park System, is not an off-leash park, so you’ll still need to keep your pet tethered on a leash while playing or doggy-paddling. A portion of the beach is designated as dog-free. Dog owners and their pets can enjoy the front (east) portion of the beach while the back (west) portion is preserved for other beach activities.

If you’d like to go a bit further afield, there are lots of other off-leash dog parks that provide room to freely roam in other communities all around the state, listings for which – not only for New Jersey, but other states, as well – can be found online. And day trips don’t just mean playing in grassy parks. For Jersey Shore area residents, one of the great joys in life is living within an easy distance of the beach – and “life’s a beach” for Jersey dogs, too!

From Sandy Hook in the north all the way down the coast to Cape May in the south, there are sandy spots that welcome our canine companions. It’s worth noting, however, that most beach towns don’t allow you to walk your pet along the shore or on the boardwalk at certain hours of day or during the summer season, but the off-season months (the starting and ending dates of which may vary by town) are a doggy’s dream for romps along the beach, jumping in the surf, bird watching (or bird chasing!), and even checking out lighthouses and quaint, historic sites. Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook in Highlands is dog-friendly all year long on the inlet (or bay) side of the Hook at Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove, but dogs must be leashed at all times. From September 16 through March 14, dogs can go on the oceanside beaches. See https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/pets.htm.

Asbury Park also embraces doggy visitors in a special way, and is considered by some to be among the most pet-friendly towns in the state. Dog owners can toast to that at the popular Wonder Bar (www.wonderbarasburypark.com), where – on various days and hours, and for different size dogs – four-legged friends can join their two-legged drinking buddies at Yappy Hour and play in a large fenced yard, complete with their own pooch pools to cool off.

Wherever you and man’s best friend decide to go together, remember to bear in mind the common courtesies, rules, and regulations that are enforced in all public areas. This includes cleaning up after your dog, carrying a leash at all times, not bringing along aggressive or sick dogs or puppies that are too young, and making sure your pet is licensed and vaccinated (and preferably spayed or neutered). Owners are expected to supervise their dogs – and yes, their children, too, especially with pets they don’t know – and are responsible for their behavior.

If you and Fido are whimpering for a day of rest, relaxation, and recreation together, there are plenty of options for some doggone fun!