By John Spinelli
MIDDLETOWN – There’s a reason why many locals refer to this beach as a “hidden gem.”
Bayshore Waterfront Park, located in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, is a family friendly spot in the Two River area without the crowds of Sandy Hook or Seven Presidents. With Memorial Day right around the corner, it might be worth the visit if you are looking to enjoy summer breezes, ocean sounds and maybe even some fishing.
Since the 1990s, the park has been a jewel of the Monmouth County Park System. Located on Sandy Hook Bay, the park covers more than 200 acres of beach, coastal forest and marshlands and sports fantastic views of the New York City skyline.
The Middletown beach is considered a prime destination for fishing and crabbing. Drop a line off the fishing pier and you may come up with such common species as bluefish, striped bass, summer flounder, little skates and blue crabs. After fishing, launch a kayak for a relaxing trip around the bay or jump in for a swim to cool off. None of these activities catch your interest? That’s OK! The park is still a great place to relax and picnic, with comfortable tables if you would like to sit near the sea.
In addition to the fishing pier, the park includes the county-owned Monmouth Cove Marina, (the public can apply for boat slips), a crabbing area in the Belford Co-op, and the West Pews section, a small beach neighboring Ideal Beach in North Middletown.
Bayshore Waterfront Park is also home to the Seabrook Wilson House, known by Middletown locals as the “Spy House.” The original house dates to the 1730s and was owned by the first settlers of Monmouth County. Today, the building serves as an ecological and historical museum, although it is temporarily closed for renovations.
According to legend, the Seabrook family would use their house to spy on British ships in the New York Harbor during the Revolutionary War, although this is not fully confirmed. The house was sold to the Wilson family in the 1800s; later it became an inn before being sold to the local government.
Port Monmouth locals James Gotay and his wife Kathy enjoy all the park has to offer.
“I enjoy walking on the fishing pier and looking back at the shoreline. It’s beautiful to me,” James said. “This is probably what Henry Hudson saw when he first explored our area, untouched forests and beaches.”
During the summer there are events for families. Some sessions include bird watching and seining, where children can observe the sea organisms caught in a large net. Register for these mostly free programs at monmouthcountyparks.com.
The article originally appeared in the May 18 – 24, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
