Policies – Practical Information
Urgencies: In case of situations that do not require outside assistance, feel free to reach out to the following contacts as we are here to help.
At Your Service
Caretakers: Each caretaker is on duty for a 24 hour period. Please check the entry doors to the lodge and guesthouses and dry erase boards to identify the caretaker on duty; their name and phone number will be posted.
Facility Manager Lynda Smith: 732-300-1586 (24 hours)
Murray Grove office: at 693-5558 (Mon-Fri 9:30am – 2:00pm)
No Smoking: There is no smoking or vaping allowed in any of the buildings. Smokers, kindly dispose of cigarette butts in the sand tins located around the property.
Registration Roster: It is important that all members of your group sign our Guest Registration Roster.
Free Wi-Fi: There is free Wifi in the Guest Houses, Dining and Fireside rooms. Click on “murray.grove.guest” to access; there is no password needed.
Meal-Time Check-Ins: It is our caretaker’s practice to check in with you at mealtimes, to make sure everything is going well and there are no problems or questions.
Indoor Fireplace: Instructions on how to open the damper (as well as lighters and kindling), are located inside the decorative trunk to the right of the fireplace. Please be mindful of fire safety before leaving. French door must remain closed at all times when fireplace is in use! Smoke detectors in dining room area will go off if doors are open.
Kitchen:
- Please be sure to use the fans when using the oven or stove. The smoke detectors are very sensitive and fire trucks may come if fans are not used!
- Recycling bins are located throughout the campus and in kitchen under the dish drying rack counter.
- Sink: Please be careful – avoid draining too much liquid into the kitchen sinks at one time or it will overflow the drainpipe onto the floor.
In order to save both energy and money…
PLEASE TURN ALL LIGHTS AND FANS OFF WHEN NOT IN USE.
We are a private, non-profit organization with a very small staff and budget. Please help us keep our costs down by LEAVING THE FACILITIES IN THE SAME CONDITION IN WHICH YOU FOUND THEM. This will ensure the return of your security deposit. See the Clean-Up Checklist posted in the kitchen.
Food: For food preparation we suggest you bring your favorite spices and (labeled) sharp knives as well as food storage items including containers. We request that you take your leftover food with you when you leave or arrange to donate it to our caretakers. In addition, it is up to the group leaders to put away, store or dispose food after meals.
Grills: Our propane grill is also available for use. Please make sure to turn off the propane after usage.
Trash: Please dispose of trash in the garbage cans provided. If you see trash lying about, especially on the Nature Trails, we would appreciate it greatly if you would pick it up. Garbage bags are available upon request. Trash goes into the red dumpster on the right, and only flattened cardboard goes into the red dumpster on the left. The dumpsters are located by the trees to the left of the gate at the back of the property, across from Cone House. Recycling goes in the blue dumpster.
Campfires: Please let us know beforehand if you are interested in having an outside fire; we are required to notify the police department. Fires are permitted only in the designated areas from 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight. The Fire Department may prohibit fires at times of high fire danger. Kindly designate a member or members of your group to be “fire marshal” and take primary responsibility for the fire. Be sure you know where to turn on the hose to put out the fire, and make certain that the fire is out completely before leaving the site.
Pool Use: Everyone that is within the pool fence must sign the pool waiver. Glass is not allowed in the pool area. Please review the state mandated pool rules posted on the fence.
Nature Trails: The Nature Trail to the bay begins at the gate on the far side of the parking lot; about two miles one-way and generally takes at least 90 minutes to walk to the end and back. At the first major crossing, about one-third of a mile down the trail, the foundations and the original chimney remnants of the historic Potter Homestead are visible through the bushes on the left.
Ticks: The pine barrens have ticks that may carry Lyme Disease. Anyone who walks in the woods or high grass should be sure to use insecticide, brush themselves off thoroughly upon return and check themselves for ticks afterwards.
Cemetery: Universalist National cemetery is adjacent to the labyrinth.
Potter’s Chapel: Tours are often available during our Murray Grove programs.
