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CAPE MAP COUNTY MAGAZINE 29 JUNE - S3

Belleplain

(From Page 21) In (he off-season, before June 15 and after l-abor Day, campers can'reserve sites for two or more nights One-third of all camp sites are rcservable The others are kept open on a first-come, first-serve basis. HKU.EPI.AIN HAS the largest number of overnight sites in the New Jersey Park System, said Keck Despite the large number of sites, the campgrounds do fill up fast, Keck added Htlleplain's 2(H) sites are filled by one p.m. Friday afternoon on Memorial Day weekend.

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Some 10,000 of Belleplain’s acres are available for hunting — mostly duck and deer, in season. "We have a large and healthy deer population,” said Keck. He explained that hunters are allowed to hunt in any area not posted otherwise, since the majority of the forest is open to hunting. THE PARK ALSO schedules evening entertainment for campers. Keck has planned south Jersey oriented seminars — on topics like the Bog Iron Industry and the former use of Lake Nummy — in cooperation with the park naturalist. Saturday evenings feature per-

HUNGRY! — Sean Smith, 2, of Millville, and Kelly-Ann Gibson, 3, of South Dennis, have a snack on the beach at Lake Nummy.

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Lifeguard Kim Berry, 19, of Millville, watches over Lake Nummy from

his lifeboat. ■ • formances by Hiemi-professional and amateur njjsicians — most folk and blue grass musicians — a program run in cooperation with the New Jersey State Council of the Arts, For the energetic camper or visitor, the park offers two hiking trails. One runs a six and one half mile loop between the lakes, the other is a self-guided nature trail around Lake Nummy. Also included under Belleplain’s jurisdiction is Corson’s Inlet Park and Somer’s Mansion Historical site. Corson’s Inlet is considered a satelite park, said Keck, meaning that it is being held for future development. THE 1 2,000 ACRES of Belleplain State Forest spread over three townships — in Cape May County, Dennis and Upper townships, and in Cumberland County, Maurice River Township. The history of the park itself is sketchy, said Keck. The first purchase for the development of a state park at Belleplain was made in 1928. "The history comes mostly by word of mouth, from the old guys who mix in little fact with a little humor and what not.” In the twenties and thirties, the park was used as a Civilian Conservation Corp, camp, as part of a federal program begun in the depression to give young men the opportunity to work. That is when Belleplain really got its start, said Keck. THE CCCs BUILT many of the structures, like the administration building, still in use at the park. They also did experimental planting of different plant species. As a result Belleplain now boasts a varied array of trees and vegetation: white and red pines, Atlantic cedar, and Norway spruce. A camper walking in the wooded areas at Belleplain, should not be able to tell if he is in New

On the cover: 3-year-otd KellyAnn Gibson of South Dennis cools her tootsies in Lake Nummy. Photos by Al Scheft.

Jersey or Pennsylvania, said Keck. The diversity of the vegetation, he said, also leads to more types of animal life. The marshy grounds of Dennis Creek are often a stopping spot for migration, birds and creatures such as the Canadian goose, and the monarch butterfly. Belleplain is open year-round. “All four season bring different types of people out here,” said Keck. FUNDING FOR THE PARK comes directly from the State General Treasury, said Keck, and that’s “very strictly managed.” The park has had CETA, Youth Conservation Corps, and Young Adult Corps workers. Federal funding has since been cut in those areas, something that Keck said is “no sour grapes, just a fact.” The Park employs 11 permanent, year-round personnel: six maintenance workers, three rangers, a full-time secretary, and the superintendent. The summer roll adds lifeguards, seasonal patrol persons, maintenance workers and a naturalist — 12 in all. KECK HIMSELF has only been park superintendent at Belleplain since May, a surprising fact considering all the details he can rattle off about the park’s 12,000 acres. He came to the job from Sussex County, where he worked in the park system’s regional headquarters. He received his degree in forestry from Rutgers’ Cook College of Agriculture. Keck was born in Atlantic County, and said that he knew that he wanted to work in a state park since he was a freshman in nigh school. At 27, he is a young superintendent. Someday, he said, he would like to own his own campground — to him, it sounds like a good way to retire. "Belleplain is really a beautiful state park,” he said as we toured its sights. From Keck’s point of view, there’s no better place to spend one’s entertainment dollar.