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The toe didn't always look like that. Maybe it started after a long stretch in shoes that pinched, or after a bunion changed how your foot loaded weight, or after your second toe just quietly decided one day not to lie flat anymore. Then a corn appeared on top of the joint, where shoes rub. Then a callus showed up under the ball of the foot. And now the toe stays bent - even when nothing is pressing against it.
Hammertoes are common, progressive, and very treatable. Our podiatrist at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness in Middletown, NJ sees them at every stage - from a barely noticeable curl that responds to a different shoe, to a rigid, painful deformity that needs surgical correction. The right approach depends on how flexible the toe still is, how much it hurts, and what you need your feet to do.
This page covers what a hammertoe is, why they develop, how we treat them, and what makes our practice a good fit for serious foot care.
A hammertoe is a toe deformity in which the middle joint of the toe bends downward, forcing the tip to point toward the floor. The shape resembles the head of a hammer - which is exactly where the name comes from. It most commonly affects the second, third, or fourth toe, and it often shows up in feet that already have a bunion or significant mechanical issues.
Hammertoes fall into two categories, and the distinction matters for treatment:
The toe is bent but can still be manually straightened. Treatment focuses on preserving flexibility, controlling pain, and slowing progression.
The toe has lost the ability to straighten. The joint has stiffened, and surgical correction is usually the most effective path forward.
Most hammertoes start flexible and gradually become rigid if they aren't addressed. That's why earlier care almost always means more options.
Hammertoes announce themselves through both visual changes and patterns of pain. Many patients first notice the appearance - a toe that's curled where it didn't used to be, or that stays bent even when there's no shoe touching it. The discomfort tends to follow shortly after.
Common signs of a hammertoe include:
The corn or callus is often what brings patients in. The pain at the top of the toe - where shoes rub against the raised joint - becomes a daily irritation that doesn't respond to home remedies, because the underlying problem is structural.
A hammertoe develops when the muscles and tendons that control the toe fall out of balance. The tendons that pull the toe up and the ones that pull it down work against each other, and when that balance shifts - usually over years - the joint settles into a bent position.
Several factors contribute to that imbalance:
The takeaway: you didn't get a bunion because you wore the wrong shoes once. It's almost always a combination of how your foot is built and how it's been used over years.
When a hammertoe is still flexible, conservative care can be remarkably effective. The goal isn't full anatomical correction - once the joint has started bending, complete straightening usually requires surgery - but to control pain, preserve flexibility, and slow the slide toward a rigid joint.
Our podiatrist builds non-surgical plans around what's actually causing your symptoms. Common options include:
This is often the single most important step. Shoes with a wider, deeper toe box give the toes room to lie flat. Soft, flexible uppers reduce friction over the bent joint. Lower heels shift weight off the forefoot. These changes alone can dramatically reduce pain.
A properly designed orthotic supports the arch, controls pronation, and redistributes pressure away from the ball of the foot and the bent toe joint. For patients whose hammertoes are driven by foot mechanics - not just shoes - orthotics are often the most impactful single treatment.
Gel pads cushion the corn or callus and reduce friction inside the shoe. Splints can hold the toe in a straighter position and help maintain flexibility. Neither corrects the underlying deformity, but both can meaningfully reduce day-to-day pain.
Targeted exercises - toe stretches, towel scrunches, marble pickups - strengthen the small intrinsic muscles of the foot and improve toe flexibility. When a hammertoe is caught early, consistent exercise can slow or sometimes halt progression.
For flare-ups, ice protocols, topical or oral anti-inflammatories, and occasional corticosteroid injections can break the pain cycle and let the joint calm down.
Because NJ Sports Spine & Wellness brings podiatry and physical therapy under one roof, our podiatrist often coordinates with our PT team for gait retraining and lower-extremity strengthening when foot mechanics are part of the picture.
Many patients with flexible hammertoes manage them effectively for years on this kind of layered plan. The conversation about surgery starts when the joint stiffens, when conservative care can no longer control the pain, or when secondary problems - like recurring infected corns or skin ulcers - start showing up.
When a hammertoe has become rigid, or when pain persists despite consistent conservative care, surgical correction can realign the toe and resolve the symptoms that have been pulling your attention down to your foot all day.
Several surgical approaches are available, and the right one depends on the specifics of your deformity:
for flexible hammertoes that don't respond to conservative care. The procedure rebalances the tendons that are pulling the toe into the bent position.
for rigid hammertoes. A small portion of the stiffened joint is removed to allow the toe to straighten.
for severe, painful rigid hammertoes. The joint is fused in a corrected position, providing permanent stability and pain relief.
Many of these corrections can now be performed using minimally invasive techniques. Small incisions, specialized instruments, and modern fixation hardware allow the procedure to be done with less trauma to the surrounding tissue. The cosmetic result is better, and patients generally experience less postoperative discomfort and a sooner return to walking.
Our podiatrist will examine your foot, review imaging, and recommend the approach most likely to give you a durable, functional result - not just for the affected toe, but for your foot as a whole.
Modern minimally invasive techniques have changed what hammertoe surgery looks like and feels like:
These advantages matter especially for patients who want their feet to look and function normally, and who can't afford to be off their feet for an extended period.
A hammertoe rarely exists in isolation. It usually shows up alongside a bunion, alongside arch problems, or in the context of a foot whose mechanics have been off for years. Treating the toe without considering everything around it tends to produce short-term relief and long-term frustration.
That's where our integrated approach matters:
You won't be funneled toward surgery because that's the only tool available. Our podiatrist treats the full spectrum of hammertoe presentations - from early, flexible deformities to rigid, painful joints - and recommends what's genuinely best for your foot.
Hammertoes often connect to broader mechanical issues. Our Middletown, NJ office combines podiatry with physical therapy, chiropractic care, sports medicine, and pain management - so you can address the toe and the upstream causes in one place.
Many of our patients are athletes, runners, or active adults who need their feet to perform, not just survive. Our care model is built around getting people back to the activities they love.
You'll leave your first appointment knowing what you have, what your options are, and what we'd recommend and why. No pressure, no upsell - just the information you need to make a good decision.
Our Middletown, NJ office is built around making thorough foot care convenient, with appointment availability designed to fit real schedules.
A flexible hammertoe - one that can still be manually moved into a straight position - can often be managed effectively with non-surgical care. Splints, taping, exercises, orthotics, and the right shoes can reduce pain and slow progression. A rigid hammertoe, where the joint has stiffened, cannot be fully straightened without surgical correction. That's why early evaluation matters: the sooner we see the toe, the more likely conservative care will be enough.
All three involve abnormal bending of the smaller toes, but the affected joints differ. A hammertoe bends at the middle joint of the toe. A mallet toe bends at the joint closest to the toenail. A claw toe involves bending at both joints, often combined with an upward bend at the base of the toe. Treatment principles overlap considerably, though the specific surgical approach may vary.
Look for shoes with a wide, deep toe box that doesn't press down on the bent joint. Soft, flexible uppers reduce friction over the corn or callus. A low heel shifts weight away from the forefoot. Stiff-soled shoes can also help by reducing the bending forces on the toes. Many athletic and comfort-focused brands now make styles specifically designed for patients with toe deformities.
Look for a wide, rounded toe box that doesn't squeeze the joint, a low heel (under one inch is ideal), soft and flexible upper material that won't rub the bunion, and good arch support. Many athletic and walking brands now make models specifically designed with bunion-friendly features. During your appointment, our podiatrist can recommend specific styles that suit the shape of your foot.
Recurrence is uncommon when the underlying foot mechanics are addressed alongside the surgical correction. If a hammertoe is corrected but the original drivers - poor footwear, untreated bunions, abnormal pronation - aren't addressed, the deformity can return over time. A comprehensive treatment plan that combines surgery with mechanical correction and supportive care offers the best long-term results.
If you've been managing around a bent toe - adjusting your shoes, dodging the corn, hoping it doesn't get worse - there's a better path forward. Our podiatry team in Middletown, NJ can examine your foot, identify exactly what's happening, and build a plan that fits your life.
Schedule a consultation today. Call (908) 866-7246 or request an appointment online - we offer same-day availability for many appointments.
A gym called Iron Revolution plans to open in the former Big Lots store at Town Brook Commons in Middletown, located at 754 Rt. 35.This is the shopping center where the Middletown Stop & Shop and Kohl’s are located. There's also an Orangetheory and Power Core Studio in that shopping complex.Iron Fitness started with their first location on Rt. 9 in Howell, and their Middletown location will be their second. Their Middletown gym will be much larger than their existing Howell site, although they have plans to expand the...
A gym called Iron Revolution plans to open in the former Big Lots store at Town Brook Commons in Middletown, located at 754 Rt. 35.
This is the shopping center where the Middletown Stop & Shop and Kohl’s are located. There's also an Orangetheory and Power Core Studio in that shopping complex.
Iron Fitness started with their first location on Rt. 9 in Howell, and their Middletown location will be their second. Their Middletown gym will be much larger than their existing Howell site, although they have plans to expand their Howell gym.
An employee at the Howell Iron Fitness said they have no set date for when they will open in Middletown, only that they're "hoping to open by the end of the year."
They're aiming to open in Middletown in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to Iron Revolution's Instagram account.
Iron Revolution will open a 28,045-square-foot gym inside the former Big Lots, which has sat empty for almost two years now. Big Lots went bankrupt in 2024, and all their stores closed that year.
Membership at Iron Revolution is $89.99/month if you sign up for a year-long membership, $99.99/month if you pay monthly and they also have $20 daily guest passes and $70 weekly guest passes, according to the Iron Revolution website.
“We are incredibly proud and excited to bring our second Iron Revolution location to Middletown, NJ,” Raymond Fennell, the gym’s owner, told the Real Estate NJ news site. “Iron Revolution of Middletown will be a world-class 28,045-square-foot fitness destination featuring top-of-the-line equipment, an unmatched training environment and premium recovery amenities designed to create an exceptional experience for our members. Our goal is not simply to open another gym, but to have a positive impact on people’s lives and create a facility that our members are proud to be a part of for years to come.”
MIDDLETOWN, NJ -- The Middletown South football team will open its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Cherokee High School.Coach Marc Tomo's team went 4-7 last year and will have to replace Class of 2026 quarterback Luca Donofrio after he threw for 12 touchdown passes last season.Senior Jack Schneider will take the reins at quarterback after playing minimal snaps last season behind Donofrio.Sign Up for FREE Middletown NewsletterGet local news you can trust in your inbox.Senior Justin Rosat...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ -- The Middletown South football team will open its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Cherokee High School.
Coach Marc Tomo's team went 4-7 last year and will have to replace Class of 2026 quarterback Luca Donofrio after he threw for 12 touchdown passes last season.
Senior Jack Schneider will take the reins at quarterback after playing minimal snaps last season behind Donofrio.
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Senior Justin Rosato returns as the Eagles’ starting running back for the third consecutive season in the power spread offense after rushing for 926 yards and nine TDs on his way to Second Team All-Shore honors in 2025. The Eagles are also expecting junior Connor Leon to contribute in the backfield.
Senior Owen Maguire returns as a three-year starter at wideout after catching 30 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns last season, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors. Senior Luke Picariello also returns as a starter after catching five passes for 47 yards in 2025.
Senior Anthony Bennett (6-2, 225) returns at tight end after catching three passes for 47 yards last season, when he served primarily as a blocker.
The Eagles return two starters along the offensive line in senior tackle Brendan Roudi (6-5, 295) and senior guard Marcus Rayson (6-2, 250). Junior Ryan Menditto (6-0, 220) and sophomore Will Renschler (6-6, 225) will fill the opposite guard and tackle positions, while sophomore Ryan Rosato (5-10, 230) could be the new starting center.
The Eagles return seven starters on defense, including senior Beckett White (6-1, 220) a lineman who made four sacks in 2025, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors.
Bennett returns at outside linebacker after totaling 26 tackles and four sacks last season, when he was Second Team All-Class A North. Junior Shawn Menditto will start at the opposite outside linebacker position. Leon will play inside linebacker, accompanied by senior Ryan Kraft.
Four starters return in the Middletown South secondary: Seniors Mike Mullane, Ryan Cerminaro and Rosato each enter their third season as starters, while senior Ryan McCarthy also returns after starting last season.
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
8/27 at Cherokee9/4 at Rumson-Fair Haven9/10 Freehold Township9/18 Shore9/26 at Manasquan10/2 Holmdel10/16 at Marlboro10/23 at Matawan11/26 Middletown North
Thank you for reading TAPinto Middletown. Don't miss your daily news, sign up free today Have a news tip or story idea, text Jeanne Wall at 732.492.2500. This publication has thousands of local readers every day and is a fantastic way to provide unique marketing opportunities for your business or organization. Text Jeanne Wall 732.492.2500 for more information or email Interested in franchising TAPinto in Monmouth County? Text or email Jeanne Wall. Have a great day!
Jeanne Wall, Owner/Publisher of , , Delivering Daily Community News for Monmouth County, while providing unique Marketing, Branding, PR and Community Relations for local businesses and organizations.
originally published: 08/24/2026(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the will hold auditions for Gypsy on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. All roles are available.Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s...
originally published: 08/24/2026
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the will hold auditions for Gypsy on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. All roles are available.
Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart and sophistication.
Gypsy features a Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Jule Styne; and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee.
The production will take place across two weeks from October 16-25, 2026. The Production Team includes Director KATHY CONNOLLY, Musical Director NICK JUPINKA, andChoreographer SAMANTHA AMARAL.
Rehearsals will start on or around September 8: Mon, Tue, Thur and Sat Evenings
AUDITION INFORMATION - Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided or please bring tracks for your selection. Callbacks will take place on Sep 3. Dance auditions will be at the Callbacks.
PLEASE EMAIL auditionmac@gmail.com FOR AN AUDITION TIME and with any questions.We will accept self tape submissions. However, you must be available for Callbacks.
LOCATION: Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street, Middletown, New Jersey).
ROLES: All Roles Available
MAMA ROSE 30-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano with strong belt): Overbearing. Charismatic. Powerful. Strong. Suffocating. Aggressive. Domineering. Pushy. Ambitious. Loving. Longing. Survivor. Brassy. Stage Mother. Driven.
LOUISE 18+, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Initially shy and introverted, she ultimately becomes a star. She is a quiet, intelligent young woman who has none of her younger sister June’s natural ability to put on a show. When she is thrust into a burlesque show by her mother, she transforms into a legendary stripper.
JUNE 18+ Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano with a high belt): Although she is in her mid-teens, Dainty June is a gifted and willful young woman, who ultimately refuses to continue perpetuating the “baby doll” persona she has carried with her since she was a young girl. Strong Dancer.
HERBIE 40-50, Vocal Range(Baritone): Candy salesman and Rose’s manager. Has a heart of gold, but also has the power to defend the people he loves.
TULSA 18+, Vocal Range (Baritone): An ambitious, charismatic dreamer. Tulsa is a born performer, who has the presence and talent to command the stage by himself. Strong, athletic dancer (especially Tap).
YOUNG LOUISE 12-15, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Young Louise struggles with the family’s focus on show business, as she is awkward and painfully shy. Possesses a hidden strength that is often overshadowed by the presence of her extroverted younger sister. A strong singer and dancer.
BABY JUNE 12-15, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): Savvy and outgoing, Baby June is the perfect child star, eager and extroverted. Has a strong, bright voice and the ability to carry solo singing. Strong dance skills, including a background in ballet and gymnastics.
TESSIE TURA 20-50, Vocal Range(Mezzo Soprano): A professional stripper whose “gimmick” is being a ballerina. Ballet skills optional.
MAZEPPA 20-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): She is a brash and ballsy burlesque performer whose “gimmick” is that she plays the trumpet while she strips. Trumpet player optional.
ELECTRA 20-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): She is a burlesque performer whose gimmick is that her costume is covered in light bulbs.
UNCLE JOCKO 20-40, (Non-Singing): Vaudeville master of ceremonies at a weekly kiddee talent show. Hates stage mothers.
AGNES 18-25, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Agnes is a member of Madame Rose’s Toreadorables and one of the girls who Rose recruits to be in the act she threw together for Louise. Agnes is thrilled at the prospect of being an actress. A young, comedic character who sings and moves well.
POP 50-70: Pop is Mama Rose’s father, who never believed that his daughter or her girls would amount to anything. He is a pragmatist, religious and unforgiving. While this is a non-singing role the actor will likely sing in the ensemble and double with additional ensemble roles.
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Residents in the Port Monmouth and Belford sections of Middletown should be aware of a mosquito control operation scheduled for the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 27, after mosquitoes collected locally tested positive for West Nile virus.The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced that the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control will conduct a community-wide adult mosquito control treatment between 4 and 6 a.m. on Aug. 27, weather permitting.The treatment area in...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Residents in the Port Monmouth and Belford sections of Middletown should be aware of a mosquito control operation scheduled for the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 27, after mosquitoes collected locally tested positive for West Nile virus.
The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced that the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control will conduct a community-wide adult mosquito control treatment between 4 and 6 a.m. on Aug. 27, weather permitting.
The treatment area includes residential streets east of Wilson Avenue, north of the Henry Hudson Trail and west of Ware Creek.
The operation is part of the county's proactive ongoing mosquito surveillance and response program, which monitors mosquito populations and tests mosquito samples for mosquito-borne viruses. When infected mosquitoes are identified, targeted adult mosquito control operations may be conducted to reduce the number of mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease.
West Nile virus is the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in New Jersey. It is primarily maintained in a cycle involving mosquitoes and birds, but infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to people and other animals when they bite.
The timing of the Middletown treatment is significant because late summer is the period when West Nile virus activity is generally at its highest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most West Nile virus infections occur during the summer and fall, with transmission particularly concentrated from July through September.
Importantly, finding West Nile virus in mosquitoes does not mean that everyone in the treatment area has been exposed to the virus or that residents will become ill. Rather, positive mosquito samples provide public health officials with evidence of virus activity in the local mosquito population and help guide mosquito-control decisions.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five infected people develop a febrile illness that can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. A much smaller percentage develop serious illness affecting the nervous system.
During Thursday's operation, mosquito-control personnel will apply Duet, a mosquito-control product, using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) sprayers mounted in the bed of a pickup truck.
ULV mosquito control involves dispersing a very small amount of product in fine droplets designed to target adult mosquitoes. The county uses this type of treatment as one component of an integrated mosquito-management program.
The county's mosquito-control program also addresses mosquitoes before they become adults. Its website notes that inspectors can identify mosquito breeding areas and that the county treats certain standing-water habitats with larvicides. For example, the county treats some stormwater catch basins with Bti, a larvicide designed to target mosquito larvae.
Residents can also request an inspection of their property. County mosquito-control inspectors can look for standing water and mosquito larvae and, when appropriate, treat the habitat or work with residents to eliminate the source.
Residents who would like to request an inspection can contact the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control at 732-542-3630.
The county's mosquito-control schedule and maps page provides information about scheduled operations, treatment areas and mosquito-control resources.
While countywide mosquito-control operations are an important part of the response, health officials emphasize that residents can play a significant role by eliminating places where mosquitoes can reproduce.
Mosquitoes can lay eggs in relatively small amounts of standing water. Residents should regularly check their properties for containers or objects capable of holding water, including buckets, flowerpot saucers, children's toys, clogged gutters, discarded containers and other outdoor items.
New Jersey health and environmental officials have urged residents to eliminate standing water around their homes and seek assistance from their county mosquito-control agency when mosquito problems persist.
“Monmouth County is taking proactive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses by continuously monitoring mosquito populations and using targeted treatments,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Residents can also request an inspection of their property to identify standing water where mosquito larvae may be present. If larvae are found, our inspectors will treat the water or work to eliminate the source. To schedule an inspection, please call the Office of Mosquito Control at 732-542-3630.”
Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, noted that West Nile virus activity typically increases from mid-summer into early fall.
“West Nile virus activity typically peaks from mid-July through September,” Kiley said. “Residents can protect themselves by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors. They can also help prevent mosquitoes from breeding by regularly emptying containers and other items on their property that collect standing water.”
The CDC recommends using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and taking steps to keep mosquitoes outside by using intact screens on windows and doors or air conditioning. Limiting exposure during periods when mosquitoes are most active can also reduce the chance of being bitten.
Residents should also remember that mosquito activity does not end when the county's treatment operation is completed. The county describes mid-August and September as peak periods for West Nile virus activity and continues mosquito surveillance throughout the season.
New Jersey's Department of Health maintains statewide surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases and mosquito testing, with weekly 2026 reports tracking West Nile virus and other vector-borne pathogens detected throughout the state.
For residents of Port Monmouth and Belford, Thursday morning's operation is a targeted public-health response to confirmed West Nile virus activity in locally collected mosquitoes. Residents can further reduce risk by eliminating standing water, using appropriate insect repellent and taking precautions when spending time outdoors during mosquito season.
Thank you for reading TAPinto Middletown. Don't miss your daily news, sign up free today Have a news tip or story idea, text Jeanne Wall at 732.492.2500. This publication has thousands of local readers every day and is a fantastic way to provide unique marketing opportunities for your business or organization. Text Jeanne Wall 732.492.2500 for more information or email Interested in franchising TAPinto in Monmouth County? Text or email Jeanne Wall. Have a great day!
Jeanne Wall, Owner/Publisher of , , Delivering Daily Community News for Monmouth County, while providing unique Marketing, Branding, PR and Community Relations for local businesses and organizations.
Your local access point to Raritan Bay is offering an increasing number of community events:Updated Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 8:58 pm ET(Shutterstock)(NJ DEP)MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Leonardo State Marina is starting to offer more and more community events:This Saturday, they are leading a guided kayak trip out into Raritan Bay (slots are already filled up). But so much more is planned:Pirate Day - Saturday, September 19 Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, maytees! Join the crew of the Leonardo St...
Updated Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 8:58 pm ET
(Shutterstock)
(NJ DEP)
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Leonardo State Marina is starting to offer more and more community events:
This Saturday, they are leading a guided kayak trip out into Raritan Bay (slots are already filled up). But so much more is planned:
Pirate Day - Saturday, September 19 Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, maytees! Join the crew of the Leonardo State Marina Nature Center as we embark on a day filled with Pirate crafts, treasure hunts, and fun pirate stories! Free and fun for all ages Crafts inside all day Treasure Hunt at 12:30 pm for kids of all ages Pirates work in rain or shine!
In late September, they will offer seashell jewelry-making classes for kids and adults alike:
Seashell Jewelry Class, 10 a.m. Sept. 26
Learn how to make cute jewelry pieces from some of your favorite beach shells!
All Ages Class: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.All Ages Class: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.Adult-only Class: 2-3 p.m.
$5 per person; pay on day of program (Cash preferred).Must register in advance: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../70A0548ACAF2AA0FC1...Supplies providedParent/Guardian presence required for under 16 years old
Held at the Leonardo State Marina Nature Center: 105 Concord Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737
The Nature Center (Office of Nature and Interpretive Programming) is the small building inland from the Marina Office. You may park in the large center lot across Concord Ave. Please do not park on grass in front of the marina office or nature center. Questions or concerns? Reach out to NJ DEP naturalist saylor.whiteman@dep.nj.gov
Get ready to get spooky, because the annual Halloween Festival at Leonardo State Marina is returning on Saturday, October 17 from 12pm-4pm! Free family fun will include a kid’s costume contest, a pet costume contest, prizes, games, crafts, goodies, and more! Want to help out at this event? Reach out to saylor.whiteman@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Follow Leonardo State Marina on Facebook for all their events.