Cape May Zoo Adds Bigger, Accessible Playground for All Children

Issue #470

September 29, 2025

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🐷 Cape May Zoo Adds Bigger, Accessible Playground for All Children

⚓Cape May Harbor Discovery Uncovers Long-Lost Army Corps Benchmark

🏖️Cape May, Avalon, Ocean City, and Bordentown Named State’s Most Charming Communities

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Daisy Lane Boutique

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 September 29

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 Cape May Zoo Adds Bigger, Accessible Playground for All Children

 The Cape May County Park and Zoo in Cape May Court House is expanding its main playground as part of a $221,000 renovation project. The popular family destination, which welcomed over 730,000 visitors last year, is enhancing its recreational facilities to better serve a growing number of young guests. The new playground will be twice the size of the previous one, which was already considered a substantial feature of the park. The updated space will include additional equipment designed to be inclusive and accessible to children with special needs. Officials say the renovation aims to give children more opportunities for climbing, interaction, and creative play while aligning with the zoo's overall mission of providing a fun and educational experience for all visitors.

Cape May Harbor Discovery Uncovers Long-Lost Army Corps Benchmark

 A small, weathered bronze disk recently uncovered in Cape May Harbor has turned out to be far more than a forgotten piece of metal—it’s a relic from 1941 that sheds light on South Jersey’s coastal defense and engineering history. Stamped with the words “United States Engineer Department – Do Not Move This Mark – 1941 A,” the disk was once part of a network of permanent benchmarks installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These survey markers were used to measure elevations, guide harbor improvements, track tidal movements, and control dredging operations—vital tasks as the nation edged closer to World War II. In 1941, months before the U.S. officially entered the war, military preparations were already ramping up across the Delaware Bay region. While it’s uncertain exactly which project this specific marker was tied to, similar disks can be traced through records in the NOAA National Geodetic Survey database or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia District, which has overseen coastal infrastructure in South Jersey for over a century.

Cape May, Avalon, Ocean City, and Bordentown Named State’s Most Charming Communities

 WorldAtlas has highlighted some of New Jersey’s most picturesque small towns, naming four South Jersey communities among the state’s prettiest. The list, which features 11 towns in total, focuses on places considered “hidden treasures” worth exploring. Selected South Jersey towns include Cape May, Avalon, and Ocean City—each offering a unique mix of history, charm, and coastal beauty. Cape May, located at the southern tip of New Jersey, is known for its Victorian architecture, museums, lighthouse, and bustling Washington Street Mall. It holds the distinction of being one of America’s oldest seaside resorts. Avalon, another Cape May County destination, sits on the northern end of Seven Mile Island. It’s known for its upscale homes, white-sand beaches, marina, and small shops that draw vacationers every summer. Ocean City, often billed as a family-friendly resort town, is famous for its 2.45-mile boardwalk, local shops, piers, and beaches. Its parks and green spaces add to the community’s appeal for visitors looking for both recreation and relaxation.

Cape May, New Jersey, is known for a unique type of gemstone found on its beaches. These "Cape May diamonds" are actually quartz pebbles that have been polished to resemble diamonds. What is the primary origin of these quartz pebbles?

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Answer to the September 28th Trivia Question

What historic designation does Cape May hold that makes it unique among cities in the United States?

A) It is the oldest city in New Jersey.
B) It is the only city in the U.S. designated entirely as a National Historic Landmark.
C) It was the first city to have electric streetlights.
D) It is the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Answer: B) It is the only city in the U.S. designated entirely as a National Historic Landmark.

Cape May is the only city in the United States that has been designated in its entirety as a National Historic Landmark, largely due to its extensive collection of Victorian buildings and the preservation efforts following several destructive fires in the 19th century​

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