to a brochure about Poricy Park which includes a map of

A Brief History of
The Murray Farmhouse and Barn:
a New Jersey Historic Site
In 1969 a group of dedicated citizens hoping to save Poricy
Brook from the impacts of a proposed sewer trunk line
formed the Poricy Park Citizens Committee. Their campaign
was successful and in 1973 the Citizens Committee was
incorporated as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization to
begin the task of preserving the land that is now Poricy
Park.
Between 1971 and 1973, using funds from private contributors, Middletown Township, The Nature Conservancy, and
the New Jersey Green Acres Program, the Committee was
able to purchase the land, build the park's Nature Center
and restore the historic Murray farmhouse and barn. The
Township agreed to designate the park as a nature preserve
and lease the park to the Citizens Committee for a nominal
annual fee. Educational programs at the park began in the
summer of 1975 and by 1978 a full schedule of programs
for school classes and the public were underway.
In its history the organization has grown both in size and in
the scope of its services. Because of this, in 2004 the Board
of Directors and Members voted to change the name of the
organization to the Poricy Park Conservancy (PPC). Like
other community based non-profit conservancies, PPC
provides a wide range of benefits and services from
stewardship of the park's 250 acres of woods, trails, and
waterways and management of its New Jersey State
Historic Site, to the presentation of hundreds of programs
and special events for the public throughout the year
Poricy Park Programs
Join us for a variety of unique programs that stimulate and
engage people of any age. Our programs connect people
to both our natural and colonial history. Our programs
bring visitors through an authentic 1770 New Jersey State
Historic site, many different habitats, and 70 million year old
fossil beds!
Community Programs - Throughout the year we offer a
wonderful selection of programs such as: the Tavern Party,
kite making/flying, maple syruping, colonial dancing,
nature hikes, star gazing, colonial games, fossil hunts,
spinning and weaving, frog calls, colonial candle making
tracking, and much more!
Theme Birthday Parties - One-of-a-kind birthdays that
everyone will remember! Possibilities include Fossil
Hunting and Pond Exploring!
Summer Camps - Summer camp at Poricy Park is where
childhood memories are made! We have a summer full of
theme camps that bring everything back to the basics. Our
full day and half day camps give campers hands on fun with
nature!
Scouts - We offer many programs that help both Girl Scouts
and Cub Scouts achieve their scouting goal! Programs are
individually scheduled to help leaders with their group
goals!
Park Hours
Poricy Park trails:
Open year round from dawn until 10:00 PM.
Nature Center Hours:
Mon thru Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Weekends: per scheduled programs
Fossil Beds Hours:
Open April through October from dawn till dusk.
Nature Center - Open to the public during listed hours.
Houses many interesting live creatures, a classroom for
programs including school field trips, a gift shop, and a
lobby with interactive displays!
For More Information
Check out our Website at http://www.PoricyPark.org
or e:mail at PoricyPark@verizon.net
Fossil Beds - Visitors can find 70 million year old cretaceous
era marine fossils.
Poricy Park Conservancy has been preserving 250 acres
of open space, wildlife and their habitats, prehistoric
fossil beds, and the Historic Murray Farmhouse.
Poricy Park is an exceptional ecological resource whose
250 acres make it one of the largest parks in Monmouth
County. Poricy Park is a regional resource, serving
residents throughout New Jersey and the Tri-state area.
The park is a center for environmental and cultural
education, enhancing the community's enjoyment and
appreciation of nature and local history.
Poricy Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization
that depends primarily on member's financial support
to keep the Conservancy at the pinnacle of environmental education, historical preservation, and natural
beauty. Please take a moment to browse through our
website at www.PoricyPark.org and also consider
joining the Conservancy's efforts by becoming a
member. Membership in the Poricy Park Conservancy
entitles you to a member's newsletter, discounted
program and event fees, advanced notice of events,
discounted merchandise, and invitations to member's
only events.
Further, a membership directly contributes to securing
the educational, historic, and natural resources of Poricy
Park Conservancy for this and future generations.
Farmhouse Hours:
3:00-4:00 PM usually on the last Sunday of the month
Poricy Park Features
Murray Farmhouse and Barn - Open to the public during
listed hours. Contains many unusual artifacts typical of the
colonial era and shows unique construction found in
colonial times.
Welcome to
Poricy Park Conservancy
Street Address for gps systems:
345 Oak Hill Rd
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Mailing Address:
Poricy Park Conservancy
P.O. Box 36
Middletown, NJ 07748
You can also give us a call at 732-842-5966,
or fax us at 732-842-6833.
Our Mission Statement
Dedicated to the preservation of its natural resources
and historic site for use in education and enjoyment by
present and future generations.
Our Vision
Poricy Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization, will
be managed to preserve and interpret the woodlands,
fields, river and marsh ecosystems, a bed of Cretaceous
fossils, collections of natural objects, and a restored
18th-Century farm. Quality hands-on educational
programs of natural science, environmental and colonial
living studies will be provided to the community.
Poricy Park Conservancy
(A Non-Profit Organization)
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LEGEND
Hiking Guide
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Map Reference
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Murray Farm
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Bird Watchers
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Riparian
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