Let’s Be Friends

If you want to be a friend or you’re looking to make some, consider connecting with a nonprofit known as the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park (FoBLSP).

Today’s nonprofit organizations in New Jersey are a lifeline to vital programs that provide education and services for local communities. As federal funding for programs dwindles or disappears completely, the reliance on these organizations and the volunteers who staff them continue to grow exponentially.

FoBLSP is one such lifeline. Its lifeblood are the volunteers who support the Barnegat Lighthouse and the State Park with their efforts.

These hard-working helpers are responsible for fundraising and event planning projects. They schedule the off-season speaker series, the summer Lighthouse Challenge and monthly night climbs in addition to organizing and operating research and recreational programs.

They replace, clean and care for the windows and the beacon at the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse, install fences the state park maintains, provide a gazebo, new picnic tables, and a walkway to the beach where couples can get married.

And they work hard to protect the barrier island ecosystem inside the State Park.

“The maritime forest in the park is one quarter of a mile,” said Deborah Hornstra, Trustee, and Public Relations Manager for FoBLSP. “It’s the only part left of the primeval forest that used to cover the whole island.”

“We Friends have done a lot,” said Carolyn Goeckel, Vice President of FoBLSP who coordinates the group’s calendar of events with other events taking place on LBI, in Ocean County, and across the state.

The latest special project for FoBLSP is the reconstruction of a lighthouse keeper’s office located inside the Barnegat Lighthouse. It is a collaboration between them and the State Park.

“It will be on the first floor of the lighthouse and people can come and take a look at it,” said Goeckel. “The state park will provide the new floors and the painting, and the Friends will take care of the decorating.”

A Hub for History

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park receives almost 45,000 visitors annually.

For many of these visitors their first stop is the Interactive Center (also called the Visitors Center) which is located adjacent to the lighthouse. The Center serves as a hub for people to learn about the history of the park and the lighthouse. It features exhibits, interactive displays and educational programs.

Admission to the Interactive Center is free and people can make donations if they like.

 “Donations are put toward certain maintenance or other projects that the state doesn’t cover,” said Goeckel. “We also fund raise from membership subscriptions and the merchandise we sell in the gift shop.”

Volunteers staff the Center which is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some live on Long Beach Island, NJ or travel from other areas in New Jersey such as Barnegat, Tuckerton, Manahawkin, and Waretown.

 The current call is for more Interpretive Center staffing.

“Right now, we have about 50 volunteers,” Allison Arthur May, president of FoBLSP said. “But we always welcome more.”

Community involvement and a way to make friends are two reasons why folks decide to become volunteers for FoBLSP.

“Our volunteers are attracted to the lighthouse and they like being involved,” Goeckel said. “They like the interactions with the community and it’s a good way to meet people if you are new to the area.”

Ship Bottom, NJ resident Christine Torello has been a FoBLSP volunteer for 23 years. Through her volunteer work she has made many friends and learned a great deal about Barnegat Lighthouse history.

“I love to talk to people,” Torello said. “I want them to feel welcomed when they stop in to get information. Their curiosity starts here in the museum, and questions always pop into their heads. I get asked how many bricks are in the lighthouse (673,000), or how many steps does it take to get to the top (217).”

The Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Rangers welcome the chance to work closely with the volunteers.” We coordinate well with the state park,” Goeckel said. “They appreciate what we do.”

“We maintain the fencing,” Park Ranger Mark Thomas said. “But the Friends are the ones who provide them.”

Park Ranger Gail Folinas said the volunteers provide information to Interpretive Center visitors on such topics such as endangered wildlife species. “People are very interested in that,” said Folinas. “They come into the Center and see information about wildlife and then they come to us to talk about it.”

Volunteers and members of the FoBLSP feel a great sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with the hard work they do.

 ‘We take a great deal of pride in what we do,” Hornstra said. “We are a symbol of NJ. Visitors have an emotional attachment to our lighthouse. Some of them started coming here as children. They have fond memories of their visits and so they bring their children and their grandchildren back. Our lighthouse is an iconic look that says hello to a lot of visitors. Our job is to say hello to these people as well.”

Contact Information

The Barnegat Lighthouse and the State Park are located on Broadway and the Bay, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer, a member or a speaking guest for the Friends of the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park should visit their website for more information.

The Park’s Interpretive Center, located adjacent to the lighthouse is open every day from 10 am to 4pm through Labor Day.  Admission is free although donations are accepted. The gift shop and admission to the lighthouse, is cash only.

To Contact Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

friendsofbarnegatlighthouse.org

Email: in**@*************************se.org

Instagram: @friendsofbarnegatlighthouse

To contact the Park Office

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

Phone: 609-494-2016

Email: pa***@****nj.gov