MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP OPEN SPACE & PATHWAYS COMMITTEE Meetings: 2 nd Wednesday of each month @ 6:30 PM in the Municipal Building Questions? Call the Open Space Coordinator, Lauren Wasilauski, at (908) 359-8211 x343 or email: Lwasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us rev. 9/16/2016
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND. No motorized vehicles are permitted on Township land, including pathways. Hunting of white-tailed deer by municipal permit is allowed on portions of Township property. Please refer to the Township website for the exact locations and dates of hunting season. o No hunting is permitted on Sundays. Hours of operation: All Township parks & pathways are open from sunrise to sunset. Please be mindful of trash; if you carry it in, please carry it out. Check the Township website for information on the Open Space and Pathways Committee including information on guided walks, volunteer opportunities and more.
OPEN SPACE OVERVIEW Montgomery Township s Open Space Committee was formed in 1989 by the Township Committee in order to make recommendations to the governing body on dedications of open space, seek opportunities for acquisition of open space and farmland preservation, as well as assist and advise other committees and boards on open space related issues. Since its inception, the Committee has been active in developing and periodically updated a master plan for open space, seeking acquisition projects and grant opportunities, hosting volunteer work days, and assisting in Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award projects. In addition, the Committee and volunteers have created miles of pathways and trails throughout the Township. To date, over 7,000 acres of land in the Township have been preserved, equivalent to 1 out of every 3 acres. The Township frequently works on land preservation projects in partnership with outside agencies, both governmental and non profits. Early on, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) negotiated for several open space and farmland easements on the Township s behalf, these were integral to a few large preservations (i.e. McAlpin, Raymond farm, and Donald Staats farm). On other projects, the Township has partnered with: the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC); New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Division; Somerset County; Borough of Rocky Hill; Delaware & Raritan Greenway; and Montgomery Friends of Open Space (MFOS). These collaborations and creative funding strategies have made the success of Montgomery s open space and pathways program possible.
MONTGOMERY PARK Montgomery Park, the Township s main park (and its oldest) is 100 acres of varied landscape on Harlingen Road. Here you can find lacrosse, softball and soccer fields, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, as well as Montgomery Township s Arboretum of Native Flora, and over 2.25 miles of pathways. The main pathways in Montgomery Park lead into a larger network that continues through the Mill Pond soccer complex and out to River Road via the Opie s Mill Trail. One possible access to the trail begins at the intersection of Mill Pond Road and Dead Tree Run near the historic triple-arch Mill Pond Bridge. This path continues through the historic Campbell Farm to River Road From the trail head at the Mill Pond to the end of the Opie s Mill Trail is 6/10 s of a mile. Half the trail is asphalt and half is boardwalk. The trail meanders along the Pike Run floodplain which is bordered by a majestic Osage hedgerow. If you continue on to the yellow gravel path and walk all the way to River Road, the total one way distance from Mill Pond is 1.4 miles. Along the farm trail to River Road, you may first encounter a horse and a donkey and then Campbell Farm s ponies and horses near River Road. Another access point, quite near to River Road, is Summit Avenue off Dead Tree Run. Enter at the end of the street. Go to the left along the fence to River Road. Go right along the hedge row then turn right to go the Opie s Mill Pathway and Mill Pond Bridge.
BOARD OF EDUCATION Several trails link Orchard Hill Elementary, Kid Connection, Lower Middle School and Upper Middle School. A Girl Scout enhanced a pathway that starts behind Orchard Hill Elementary with signs that include information on each of the planets. The signs are spaced as such along the pathway, to correspond to relative distances between the planets. The signs continue on the pathway thru the woods toward the Lower Middle School. A pathway that starts at the side of the Lower Middle School, near the gym and detention basin, meanders thru the woods and walkers can access the soccer fields over a footbridge to the right, or head left thru the woods. The pathway currently stops at a farm, but future connections thru the farm are planned.
HOBLER PARK Hobler Park is a 50 acre park located on Great Road in Blawenburg close to Rt. 518. The park was dedicated to the Township in 1990 by the developers of Cherry Valley Country Club. Hobler Park is currently managed as a meadow, with some forested areas at the southern end of the property around the stream, an unnamed tributary of Bedens Brook. There is a small parking lot, gazebo, multipurpose field (usually used for soccer), playground equipment and bathroom all clustered in the south-central portion of the property. A natural pathway through the meadow winds through the park. The park is a great spot for bird watching; 7 species of hawks have been noted. Enjoy walking the 1.0 mile loop around the outside edge of the park. There are many cross trails to explore. A new feature to the gazebo is a children s library. Enjoy a book while you re at the park. Feel free to take the book home to finish reading it, but be sure to return it. And we also welcome donations to the library if you have books you d like to share.
STONEBRIDGE Located on Montgomery Road, the Township preserved over 145 acres of open space in 1996 with help from a variety of funding partners including the Department of Environmental Protection, D&R Greenway, and the Borough of Rocky Hill. The open space consists of a mixture of landscape types: early succession forest (characterized by Eastern Red Cedar trees), mature riparian forest along the floodplains of the Millstone and Bedens Brook, agricultural fields and managed meadow. Volunteers constructed over 2.5 miles of pathways which wind through the site. To access the pathways, park across from Stonebridge and walk into the Stonebridge community. Stay to the right and follow the asphalt path which joins the main pathway. A second access point is located about 500 feet to the west of the Stonebridge driveway. Look for the pathways sign!
VAN HORNE PARK Van Horne Park is 92 acres of open fields and forest with over a mile of pathways that wind through the park. Jointly maintained by Montgomery and Rocky Hill, but owned by Somerset County, there are 2 softball fields, 2 multipurpose fields, 2 basketball courts, play equipment, a picnic pavilion area and bathroom facilities. The park opened in May 2008 and has been popular with residents and employees of the nearby office buildings ever since. Montgomery Township s Shade Tree Committee recently completed the first phases of a tree planting project utilizing grant funds received from the State to create shade around the parking and play areas. Access via Route 206 at Benjamin Boulevard where there is a Burger King and Princeton Fitness and Wellness OR from Princeton Avenue look for a large gravel drive to a Gazebo. There is plenty of parking at each access point. Walkers and cyclists from Blue Spring Road can access the park from an entrance on Princeton Avenue. From Blue Spring Road, make a right onto Princeton Avenue, and once the sidewalk ends, cross over Princeton Avenue (be sure to cross safely!) and the trail entrance is marked with a pathway sign.
Cherry Brook Preserve Cherry Brook Preserve is identified as Cherry Hill Road Pathways on the map. There are four access points to this preserve, which consists of over 375 acres! Access on Cherry Hill Road: The trailhead parking is on the east side of the road near the Waldorf School. The pathway west of Cherry Hill Road is 9/10 s mile loop which includes a walk back along Cherry Hill Road to trailhead parking. The east side of Cherry Hill Road has a loop of 8/10's mile from trailhead parking area using Uplands Trail to the pond and the Lowlands Trail coming back. Further along, there are other trails which it intersects. Access on Pine Brae Drive: Access Pine Brae Drive from Route 518. Take the right fork toward Lenape Swim Club. There is a small parking area with a split rail fence marking the trailhead. The gravel path meanders along the edge of the farm field, and then into the trails in the woods. Access on Cherry Valley Road: There are two (2) other access points from Cherry Valley Road to different parts of the Preserve, located at the end of Birchwood Drive and Linton Drive where parking is along the street.
Pathways in small parks Swan Tract is located at the historic Opossum Road Bridge on Opossum Road near its intersection with Orchard Road. It is about a 4/10 s mile loop. Sunset Park located at the intersection of Sunset Road and Route 601 (Belle Mead-Blawenburg Road) is one of the newest pathways. The pathway was recently refurbished with a bench and hawk houses as part of an Eagle Scout project. There is a short pathway of 500 feet through red cedar forest, which ends in a grassy clearing, teeming with bird activity. Enjoy the sculptures and artwork installed in rooms along the trail. Rock Mill Park is Montgomery s newest preserved space. It was acquired by Montgomery Township and the Montgomery Friends of Open Space, after neighbors spoke to the property owner about preserving the property. The 10 acre Park is located within the historic and wildlife-rich Sourland Mountains. The Preserve is composed of forest, wetland, and stream corridor. Rock Brook runs alongside the trail on the western border. The Brook provided for the livelihood of many residents in the 1700s and 1800s; there were even small mills along the Brook. The presence of stone walls is a sign that the land was once cultivated for farming. The terrain, flora and fauna of the Sourlands are quite different from the relatively flat land in the eastern and southern sections of the Township. The trail is a loop system, with two possible routes at the southern end. The trail is suitable for walking and hiking, and takes 20-30 minutes depending on pace. The short distance and relatively easy terrain make the trail suitable even for young children. There are orange trail markers on trees and interpretive signs installed by a Girl Scout highlight the flora of the area. As you are walking, look out for some areas of rocky terrain, local flora, wildlife, and the beautiful Rock Brook. Be advised that the property is hunted between September and February. Directions: The Park is on Grandview Road on the north side of the one-lane stone bridge which traverses Rock Brook. It is accessible from Route 601 (Belle Mead-Blawenberg Rd) as well as Hollow Road. A small gravel parking lot has been constructed.
SKILLMAN PARK Skillman Park is the Township s newest park, owned and managed by Somerset County. The park is approximately 250 acres with access from Route 601 and Burnt Hill Road, using Main Boulevard. The park features beautiful vistas, and a 2.25 mile paved multiuse loop trail. There are several parking lots located off of Main Boulevard where you can park and easily access the trail. Several benches are located along the trail so that you can relax and enjoy the landscape. Chess tables are also available; simply bring your own chess pieces and enjoy a game. The Township Open Space Committee, in partnership with the Somerset County Park Commission, has begun a multi-phase reforestation project along Rock Brook. As you walk along the brook, you ll notice many small trees have been planted between the pathway and the Brook. The goal is to reforest the full length of the brook from Burnt Hill Road to Route 601 which will help minimize soil erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat. With the help of many volunteers from local schools and scouting groups, as well as volunteers from local businesses, over 150 trees have been planted. The park, formerly a State hospital site, opened in 1895 as the New Jersey Village for Epileptics, and later transitioned to a psychiatric facility called the North Princeton Developmental Center. The site was a self-sustaining facility with a theater, power plant, hospital, fire house and even a train station. The site closed in the mid-1990s and the Township purchased the property from the State in 2007. The Township demolished over 100 buildings, and conducted other cleanup of the property, and in 2011, Somerset County purchased the property from the Township and converted the property into a passive recreation park.