This beautiful forest trail was created many years ago, although its origin remains a mystery. Recently rediscovered by the Jackson Pathfinders, it was named the Sports Perimeter Trail because the curves of its path surround much of the outdoor sports area. Yet the trail is amazingly quiet.
The Sports Perimeter Trail is located within the Jackson Justice Complex, which can be entered via Jackson Drive. Sports facilities, playgrounds, the Jackson branch of the Ocean County Library, and the Jackson Police Station are all located within the complex.
The main trail is colored yellow on the map and is supplemented by orange-colored access paths. The access paths enable you to enter and leave the main trail at different waypoints. They provide the option of enjoying shorter walks if you do not want to hike the entire length of the trail. Waypoints on the yellow main trail are identified by numbers 1 to 8 on the map, while those on the orange access paths are indicated by letters A to H.
To begin your jaunt along the western part of the trail, drive to the parking lot at the end of Robert Ventura Drive. Enter the trail at waypoint 1, where a short segment leads immediately to waypoint 2 in the deep forest. There you may turn right to follow the main trail around its long and beautiful loop. If, instead, you turn left at waypoint 2, you will be on the shortcut, which is 1200 feet less to waypoint 3. For an alternate way to access the western part of the main trail, begin at waypoint A in the parking lot, walk along the orange access path, and enter the trail using access path B or C.
To start along the eastern part of the main trail instead, drive to the parking lot in front of the police station at the end of Jackson Drive. At the beginning of the concrete walkway, enter the access path at waypoint H and follow the orange markers on trees to waypoint G. Then turn left to reach waypoint 8, the east end of the yellow main trail, or you can continue straight ahead from waypoint G to enter the trail at waypoint 7.
DISTANCES ON THE SPORTS PERIMETER TRAIL
Waypoints 1 – 2 200 feet
Waypoints 2 – 3 via Loop 1675 feet
Waypoints 2 – 3 via shortcut 475 feet
Waypoints 3 – 4 300 feet
Waypoints 4 – 5 925 feet
Waypoints 5 – 6 225 feet
Waypoints 6 – 7 800 feet
Waypoints 7 – 8 800 feet
TOTAL DISTANCE VIA LOOP 4,925 feet
TOTAL DISTANCE VIA SHORTCUT 3,725 feet (1,200 feet shorter)