Finding a launch site in Morris County, NJ, and a question on NJ launch regulations

The Rocketry Forum

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

neil_w

OpenRocketeer
TRF Supporter
Joined
Jul 14, 2015
Messages
16,642
Reaction score
11,415
Location
Northern NJ
Anyone know of a good public launch site in or around Morris County, NJ? I've been trolling around Google Maps and have a few candidates but haven't yet figured out if they'd be hospitable. Black River Recreation right next to the Chester Township pool looks pretty good, if the soccer fields aren't in use, but I haven't figured out who actually owns that land. Chubb Park (also Chester) is where the 4H Fair rocket launch usually takes place; it's not that big but workable for small stuff.

Also, I have found that NJ has regulations that say (approximately) "children as young as 12 may launch rockets while under adult supervision as part of an educational program". Does that mean, as it suggests, that a kit younger than 12 is not allowed to push the launch button? If so that sounds nuts to me.
 
First question would be, did you check for local clubs? Best way to do launches. I'm in central Jersey in farm land and still can't find a good local site. As far as 12 or under, I think your fine as long as it's supervised. If you have never been to a MDRA launch, GO! It's in Maryland about 3 hours from you and you will see amazing launches.
 
Thanks, I've been to the Radical Rocketeers launches before (and they're great) but I'm looking for something a little closer just to go with my daughter. Waiting until I can get to a club launch has meant that I have been to zero launches this year, need to figure out someplace I can go and just casually launch some small stuff.
 
you're better off launching until someone says not too, then seeking permission in NJ.
 
I am in Randolph as well and have pondered where I could launch locally. A good location would be Heistein park but my advice would be, Better to ask forgiveness than permission. Interestingly, way back in the 70's or early 80's there was a Model Rocket club in Randolph but I don't know where they launched, it was long before my time. I launch with Radical rocketeers and also GSSS in Bridgewater.
 
Just go launch, and practice this beforehand:

Look at the park ranger and say, in your most pathetic voice, "Oh, I didn't know!"
 
I am in Randolph as well and have pondered where I could launch locally. A good location would be Heistein park but my advice would be, Better to ask forgiveness than permission. Interestingly, way back in the 70's or early 80's there was a Model Rocket club in Randolph but I don't know where they launched, it was long before my time. I launch with Radical rocketeers and also GSSS in Bridgewater.

I found Heistein park in Google maps but have never actually been there. Looks promising (and close), although I see what seem to be light large light poles over at least part of the field. Black River Recreation is a huge field with a zillion soccer fields on it, looks great but often in use. I guess I'll have to scoot over to Heistein one day and check it out. Unfortunately summer is almost over and my chance to have reasonably unfettered access to these fields on the weekends is evaporating. :(
 
I found Heistein park in Google maps but have never actually been there. Looks promising (and close), although I see what seem to be light large light poles over at least part of the field. Black River Recreation is a huge field with a zillion soccer fields on it, looks great but often in use. I guess I'll have to scoot over to Heistein one day and check it out. Unfortunately summer is almost over and my chance to have reasonably unfettered access to these fields on the weekends is evaporating. :(

Looks good for a max altitude of 900'. Watch out for Heinstein's Pond!
 
Back
Top