Ocean County · Lacey Township · Forked River · Lanoka Harbor

Forked River

NJTGO's Forked River guide serves Lacey Township and Lanoka Harbor. Forked River and Lanoka Harbor are communities within Lacey Township, a large Barnegat Bay and Pinelands municipality with year-round neighborhoods, waterfront recreation, schools, shopping, parks and strong community programs.

Lacey Township also includes Bamber Lakes, giving the township a landscape that stretches from the Barnegat Bay shoreline west into the New Jersey Pinelands.

Forked RiverLanoka HarborLacey TownshipBamber Lakes Barnegat BayForked River BayfrontRoute 9Garden State Parkway

Forked River in Lacey Township, New Jersey

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Lacey Township at a Glance

30,297estimated Lacey Township population on July 1, 2025

84.6 sq. mi.township land area reported by Lacey Township

1871year Lacey Township was formed

6 public schoolsLacey Township School District campuses

How NJTGO organizes this area: Forked River is the canonical NJTGO destination and supporting-page set for Lacey Township and Lanoka Harbor, with Bamber Lakes included as part of the township's geographic coverage.

Waterfront, Bayfront & Beaches

Lacey Township's eastern edge meets Barnegat Bay, while the Forked River and Cedar Creek systems provide boating, fishing and waterfront access throughout the community. Township recreation also includes three freshwater bathing beaches.

Forked River Bayfront ParkWaterfront public space on Barnegat Bay used for recreation, community activities and seasonal programs including Yoga on the Bay.

Lake Barnegat BeachLakeside Drive, Forked River. One of Lacey Township's guarded freshwater beaches during the summer season.

Cedar Creek BeachForrest Avenue, Lanoka Harbor. Township lakefront beach serving the Lanoka Harbor side of Lacey.

Bamber Lake BeachSeasonal freshwater beach in the Bamber Lakes area of the township.

Boating & MarinasThe Forked River, Barnegat Bay and nearby creeks support a large boating community with private marinas, docks, fishing and sailing access.

Non-Motorized WatercraftLacey Township identifies public access points for canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddleboards as part of its recreation system.

Beach season: Lacey's 2026 beach season began on weekends June 20 and daily June 25, with beach patrol from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Badge rules, hours and access can change each season, so check current township information before visiting.

Parks, Sports & Outdoor Recreation

Lacey Township's size gives it an unusually broad recreation system, ranging from community sports fields to lake beaches, walking paths and Pinelands landscapes.

Gille ParkMajor Forked River recreation complex with soccer and softball fields, tennis, volleyball, roller hockey, playground, picnic pavilion, restrooms and a 1.1-mile walking path.

Clune ParkBeach Boulevard, Forked River. Home of Lacey Little League and American Youth Football, with four Little League fields, two baseball fields and three full-size football fields.

Lacey Township Skate ParkLocated at Gille Park on Manchester Avenue. Resident-only skate facility for skateboards and inline skates, subject to township safety rules.

Hebrew ParkManchester Avenue, Forked River. Neighborhood recreation and reservable pavilion space.

Huffy Wallis ParkParkside Drive, Forked River. Part of the township's network of neighborhood recreation areas.

Western PinelandsLacey's western side reaches deep into the Pinelands, creating a very different landscape from the developed Route 9 and Barnegat Bay portions of the township.

Community Events & Recreation

Lacey Township runs year-round recreation programs for children, adults and seniors and publishes seasonal program schedules. Current 2026 programming includes farmers markets, fitness programs, bayfront recreation, races and outdoor concerts.

Lacey Township Farmers' MarketSeasonal Friday market appearing on the township's August 2026 recreation calendar.

Lacey 5KCommunity race held at Gille Park on August 22, 2026.

Outdoor ConcertsFree township concerts at Gille Park, including an August 25, 2026 performance.

Yoga on the BaySeasonal morning wellness program at Forked River Bayfront Park.

Planning around an event: Event dates, weather policies and locations can change. Check Lacey Township's current calendar before making a special trip.

Lacey Township History

Lacey Township was formed on March 23, 1871, from portions of Dover and Union Townships and was named for Revolutionary War General John Lacey. The township's modern road network and place names still reflect its early iron-working, maritime and Pinelands history.

1794-1810General John Lacey surveyed land in the area and later developed Ferrago Forge with his son Thomas R. Lacey on the middle branch of Cedar Creek. Lacey Road was created to move iron products toward Forked River.

1865William Hurry purchased the Ferrago Forge tract and renamed the settlement Bamber, reflecting the family name of his mother.

March 23, 1871Lacey Township was formally created from Dover and Union Townships.

20th CenturyResidential growth expanded around Forked River and Lanoka Harbor while the township retained large western areas of Pinelands and forest.

TodayForked River remains the municipal and commercial center, while Lanoka Harbor, Bamber Lakes, waterfront neighborhoods and western Pinelands together form modern Lacey Township.

Historic & Cultural Places

Old Schoolhouse Museum126 South Main Street / Route 9, Forked River. The former Forked River School was built in 1868 and expanded in 1884 and is maintained by the Historical Society of Lacey.

Historical Society of LaceyVolunteer organization preserving artifacts, photographs, landmarks and local history. Museum hours are seasonal, generally Saturdays from mid-June through Labor Day or by appointment.

Route 9 / Main StreetForked River's long-established commercial and community corridor contains historic buildings alongside newer businesses and services.

Bamber Lakes & Ferrago Forge HistoryThe township's western history is closely tied to the iron-working settlement that grew around Ferrago Forge and later became known as Bamber.

Education

Lacey Township School District operates six public schools serving Forked River, Lanoka Harbor and the broader township. District offices are at 200 Western Boulevard, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734 and the main district phone is 609-971-2000.

Forked River Elementary School110 Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731

Cedar Creek Elementary School220 Western Boulevard
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734

Lanoka Harbor Elementary School281 Manchester Avenue
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734

Mill Pond Elementary School210 Western Boulevard
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734

Lacey Township Middle School660 Denton Avenue
Forked River, NJ 08731

Lacey Township High School73 Haines Street
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734

Ocean County Library — Lacey Branch

The Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731. The branch provides books, digital resources, public computers, programs and community services for Forked River, Lanoka Harbor and the surrounding township.

Lacey Township Government

Lacey operates under New Jersey's Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The committee selects one member to serve as mayor for a one-year term.

Municipal Building818 West Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731
609-693-1100

2026 MayorSteven Kennis

2026 Deputy MayorRobert Laureigh

Township CommitteePeggySue Juliano
Timothy McDonald
Peter Curatolo

Recreation Department818 West Lacey Road
609-693-1100 ext. 2203

Municipal Clerk818 Lacey Road
609-693-1100 ext. 2200

Community Development124 South Main Street
Forked River, NJ 08731

Lacey MUAWater and sewer utility services
609-693-8188

Living, Shopping & Local Services

Forked River and Lanoka Harbor form a substantial year-round community rather than a seasonal shore town. Route 9, Lacey Road, Main Street and nearby shopping areas support grocery stores, restaurants, healthcare, banks, automotive services, home services and professional offices.

Forked RiverMunicipal center, major Route 9 and Lacey Road commercial activity, waterfront neighborhoods, library, schools and community services.

Lanoka HarborResidential and commercial neighborhoods centered around Western Boulevard, Route 9, Cedar Creek and the school-district campus.

Bamber LakesWooded western township community with a quieter Pinelands character and seasonal freshwater beach recreation.

Barnegat Bay NeighborhoodsWaterfront and lagoon communities support boating, fishing, marinas and a strong shore lifestyle.

Business directories: Use the dedicated NJTGO Business & Shopping and Food & Drink pages for individual local listings. Free basic business listings do not include external business website links.

Explore More of Forked River & Lacey Township

Business & ShoppingLocal retail, healthcare, automotive, professional services, home services and shopping throughout Forked River and Lanoka Harbor. Food & DrinkRestaurants, pizza, coffee, bakeries, delis, markets and verified GF/DF options where available. Real EstateHousing, waterfront property, taxes, zoning, flood considerations and property resources across Lacey Township. Visiting & LodgingBayfront recreation, beaches, parks, boating, events, itineraries and nearby accommodations. ClassifiedsCommunity marketplace categories, yard sales, announcements, lost & found and neighborhood notices. Jobs & EmploymentMunicipal, school, healthcare, retail, trades, service and regional employment resources.

Official & Community Resources

Lacey TownshipMunicipal government, services, permits, meetings, recreation, events and resident resources. Lacey Township School DistrictSchools, calendars, registration, employment and family resources. Lacey Township BeachesCurrent beach season, badges, patrol hours and water-access information. Lacey RecreationPrograms, sports, camps, activities and recreation contacts. Historical Society of LaceyOld Schoolhouse Museum, local history and seasonal museum information. Ocean County LibraryLacey Branch programs, digital resources and library services. U.S. Census QuickFacts — LaceyCurrent population, housing and demographic statistics.

Nearby Communities

Bayville / Berkeley TownshipImmediately north of Lacey Township, with Route 9 shopping, parks, waterfront areas and access toward Toms River.

Waretown / Ocean TownshipImmediately south, with Barnegat Bay access, marinas, Albert Music Hall and Wells Mills County Park nearby.

Barnegat TownshipSouth of Waretown with additional shopping, residential areas and Garden State Parkway access.

Beachwood & Toms RiverLarger northern Ocean County service, healthcare and employment centers within driving distance.

Promote Your Forked River or Lacey Township Business

Reach residents and visitors across Forked River, Lanoka Harbor and the wider Lacey Township area through NJTGO's dedicated local pages. Basic directory listings may include a business name, category, address, phone number and brief factual description. Website links, expanded descriptions, logos, photographs and featured placement are paid options.

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