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Trail Guides
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Lake Narraticon Park
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5
 
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Park Avenue, Swededsboro, NJ
Phone: (856) 467-2666, ext. 300
www.woolwichtwp.org/page.asp?prmName=parksandrecreation
Swedesboro-Woolwich Parks & Recreation
From the parking area at Stewart Memorial Park turn Left onto Ferrell Road. After 0.6 miles turn Right on Route 617/Mullica Hill Road. After 0.8 miles turn Left on Route 694. After 3.8 miles turn slight Left onto Route 538/ Franklin Street, just after crossing over the New Jersey Turnpike. It will become Lake Avenue. Then turn Left onto Park Avenue. Proceed 0.5 miles to the parking area, on the left, at Lake Narraticon. DIRECTIONS FROM NEAREST HIGHWAY: From I-295, take exit 11 to merge onto Route 322 East. After 2.2 miles, turn Right at the 2nd traffic light onto Paulsboro Road. Turn Right at the ?T? intersection onto King?s Highway/ Route 551. After 0.5 miles, turn Left onto Lake Avenue and then Right onto Park Avenue. Proceed 0.5 miles to the parking area at Lake Narraticon. Map
New Jersey Transit Bus Lines No. 401 Salem/Philadelphia stops at CR 551 and Kings Highway. Walk 2 blocks on Park Avenue and turn Left on Lake Avenue. Walk 1 block on Lake Avenue and turn Right on Kings Highway. Walk a short distance on Kings Highway near the intersection of Railroad Avenue. Walking distance is less than 1 mile.
| | This is a 200-acre area in the small town of Swedesboro. It consists of mature hardwoods on a hillside beside a man-made lake that was created in 1934. A 1.5 mile trail climbs the hill and circles the wooded area. The trail starts at a bridge over a small stream that feeds into the lake. The woodland and small stream habitat is good for birding and viewing mammals. Another small pond is viewable near the entrance.
There are numerous nesting Wood Thrushes in the park in June. These birds are very vocal, singing their melodious song and are active and ubiquitous.
Throughout the day, birds can be seen foraging for food in the leaf litter on the ground. A Bald Eagle with a nearby nest often perches on a high snag at the far end of the lake. Local resident Canada Geese regularly gather on the lake.
A good amount of flowering plants are present in the understory and water side habitat here. Mountain Laurel and Pink Azalea both bloom in May. Nesting species are present and active in the trees, along the edge habitat near the cultivated fields and at the water’s edge.
There is a surprising variety of woodland songbirds and other birdlife active here throughout the day. There are often sightings of active birds in the trees and fields, and wading birds are visible feeding by the water. In the evening, birds roost in the trees, understory and on waterside snags.
The deciduous trees exhibit their autumn colors brightly at this park. Scenes of the landscape reflections on the lake are colorful and pleasing. Some migrating birds stop here in the autumn to feed and rest. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to view birds here in the fall.
Along the trails a couple benches are available with nice elevated views of the lake and woodland. Views of the adjacent farmer’s fields are good for observing grassland species.
In early evenings in spring and summer, look for groups of egret and heron that roost on the snags over the small pond near the entrance. Behaviors including fishing on the pond and interactions among the individual birds are regularly seen throughout the summer.
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