There are many options to safely walk, ride your bike or take a run while staying at Dreams Come True Cottage (414 Fern Road, Villas, NJ, USA). Here are the top three, all within steps of our door.
1. The Beach, Of Course! Out our front door, take a left onto Fern Road at the end of our driveway and take 387 steps to the sand dunes along the sandy beaches of Delaware Bay. As Fern Road ends, you will see a little curvy pIt is a quick .2 mile walk to the sand. Enjoy!
2. Prefer Sidewalks? If you still want the pretty, beachy views but prefer level sidewalks over sandy paths, then a stroll down Shore Road/Beach Drive in Town Bank is the place to go. You can get there from the beach (above), or a 12-minute walk via local streets.
Directions:
Out our front door, make a left onto Fern. another left onto Bayshore Drive (which is quickly renamed Clubhouse Drive), and a right onto Pinewood Rd. Pinewood Rd will end at Shore Rd, again on the shores of Delaware Bay. Make a left onto Shore Rd and before long, you will see the sidewalk (at Fernwood Rd and Shore Rd), which can take you for another 1.4 miles all the way to Lincoln Blvd near the Cape May/Lewes Ferry (along the way, Shore Rd is renamed to Beach Dr).
Want to use Google Maps or another app? Simply use 907 Shore Road, Cape May, NJ 08204 as the destination address.
3. Want Forest Trails and Pond views? Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is one of South Jersey’s best-kept secrets - and it is only a short walk from your vacation home!
If you want to put some miles on, take a walk (or run, or bike ride) through this WMA. Set on a former golf course, the buildings are long gone, and the land has been replaced with a variety of natural growth. Markers provide interesting information about the wildlife and nature you may see. Maps are provided to help you navigate the many former golf cart trails.
Pine forests, open fields, ponds, and marshes abound. Some paths are paved, and some are hard-packed dirt. Some trails provide shade and some allow you to soak up the sun. Miles of opportunities and a variety of trails will help you enjoy a new and different path each time you visit. Leashed dogs are also welcome!
Helpful links:
Directions:
Go right out the front door, then make a left onto Bybrook Drive. Walk 7 short blocks to the entrance of the Ponderlodge Parking Lot on the right (it is slightly hidden by a turn and natural growth, tucked away between two homes).
Want to use Google Maps or another app? Simply use 2978 Bybrook Dr, Villas, NJ 08251 as the destination address.
4. BRAND NEW (and only 6.4 miles away) - A new boardwalk trail has opened at the South Cape May Meadows Preserve. This project aimed to enhance accessibility and create new pathways for visitors to explore the preserve's diverse wetland habitats.
Key features of the new boardwalk:
- ADA-compliant and inclusive: The boardwalk is designed to be accessible to visitors of all abilities, including those using wheelchairs or strollers.
- Elevated design: The boardwalk is elevated to wind through previously inaccessible wetland areas.
- Length: It adds 2,675 linear feet of elevated walking paths.
- Viewing platform: A 480-square-foot elevated viewing platform provides enhanced opportunities for observing wildlife and the preserve's landscape.
- Durable and sustainable materials: The boardwalk is constructed using aluminum and recycled plastic.
- Amenities: It features benches at pullout areas for rest stops and interpretive signage with braille and tactile elements.
Benefits of the boardwalk:
- Improved accessibility: Opens up previously unreachable portions of the preserve, allowing a wider range of visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and birding opportunities.
- Enhanced wildlife viewing: Provides elevated vantage points for observing birds and other wildlife in the wetlands.
- Minimal environmental impact: The design and construction methods minimize disturbance to the sensitive wetland ecosystem.
Location:
- The South Cape May Meadows Preserve is located at 692 Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ 08204, which is 6.4 miles from Dreams Come True Cottage.
- The new boardwalk trail has an entrance off the Main Trail and winds through the southwest portion of the preserve.
The South Cape May Meadows Preserve is a popular birdwatching destination.
Safe travels - and enjoy your walk!
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