Walking along the groomed trails at Palmyra Cove, surrounded by all those trees, hearing the chirps of all those birds, it is hard to believe that you are really in the middle of one of South Jersey’s busiest, most highly-developed areas. This really is a secluded, surprising 250-acre gem.
Outside, you’ll find paved trails situated among thickets of trees that are home to numerous kinds of wildlife. Bring your binoculars and you’ll be able to spot any of up to 250 species of birds, especially during spring and fall when the big migration is going on.
Throughout the Cove’s forested and wooded areas you’ll find raccoons, fox and lots of small wildlife. Situated on the banks of the Delaware, the wetlands are a refuge for various species of turtles, swans, egrets, and, during the fall, the American white pelican.
From atop the viewing area on the Cove’s Environmental Discovery Center, you’ll get great views of the river, the woodlands and all the surrounding scenery, including the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. But for as great as the outside views are, it is what happens inside the Discovery Center that you’ll . . . well, discover all kinds of cool natural
wonders.
Computer games and other hands-on activities introduce kids (and a few grown-ups) to the wildlife that live in the area, the importance of protecting marshland and wetlands and other topics related to the preservation of the region’s natural environments.
Palmyra Cove also has an active calendar of activities, programs and events including monthly art exhibitions featuring paintings and photography that focus on the world of nature. The Cove also offers a wide range of programs for school groups, seniors, a summer camp, and even nature programs designed for tots.