Binoculars are de riguer at John A. Roebling Park. So are good hiking shoes. And a fishing rod, if you have one. Once you have those, you are ready to explore the Park’s 257 acres.
Pick one of the trails -- the main trail follows the perimeter of the area, and the center trail cuts across the middle with a few cut-offs and loops. Dozens of species of birds nest here or stop over on their way back and forth along the flight path -- Cedar Waxwings, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Barn and Tree Swallows. Glance down and you can see Muskrat, beaver, chipmunks, squirrels, and fox. Oh and raccoons also run around, but don’t touch.
Meanwhile, over on the other end of the island, history hounds can spec out the Watson House. The house, which dates back to the Revolutionary War era, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is headquarters for the state chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Peek in and you’ll see antiques, furnishings, a living room and colonial kitchen that will make you want to go home and kiss your wide screen TV and microwave.