NATIONAL TRAILS DAY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
IN NEW JERSEY
SATURDAY, JUNE 7th 2014
STATEWIDE
NJ State Parks. Sat, 6/7 & Sun, 6/8 – “Trail Tracker Survey.” For National Trails Day, volunteers are invited to
help the NJ State Parks collect information about our 1,000 plus miles of official trails and utilize our Trails Tracker
Survey. Information gathered will be used in the creation of informative trails brochures – accompanying our
newly-designed trails maps. To obtain a copy of the Trails Trackers Survey, email Kiethabiggers@gmail.com and let
her know what park you intend to visit and what length of time or distance interests you. Alternatively, you can
pick up a copy at park office (Most parks are participating, but call ahead to make sure!)
NORTH
Brickyard at Hoffman Road, Port Murray. Sat, 6/7 – “The Terra Cotta Road Brickyard Trail Project.” 9:30 am 2:00 pm. Warren County government partners with various land conservancies and non-profit organizations to
help preserve and maintain farmland and open space in the county. The Warren County Department of Land
Preservation and the Morris Canal Greenway Partnership have been pursuing the acquisition of parcels of property
along and adjacent to the historic Morris Canal to create a systems of trails throughout Warren County. To that
end, the Warren County Dept. of Land Preservation and it’s contracted landscape maintenance organization, the
New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg, are combining their efforts on National Trails Day to clear and reestablish
the approximately ½ mile Terra Cotta Road trail on the Brickyard Property in Port Murray New Jersey.
Location: 23 Hoffman Road, Port Murray, NJ. RSVP Required. Contact: njycphil@verizon.net or 908-859-2969.
www.facebook.com/NJYCPhillipsburg.
Footbridge Park, Blairstown. Sat, 6/7 – “2014 National Trails Day.” 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. To celebrate National
Trails Day, the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee (PVTC) will host a moderate 5 to 7 mile hike (approximate) on
the Paulinskill Trail. Come visit our booth in the parking lot at the wooden benches. The hike will start from the
parking lot at 10:00 AM. Footbridge Park: 1 Footbridge Ln, Blairstown, NJ, 07825. GPS coordinates: 40.981345, 74.957191. This will take participants to the entrance of the park. Driving Directions – Route 94, Blairstown, NJ.
Take Route 80 to Exit 12, Route 521. Go north on Route 521 for 5 miles to Route 94 in Blairstown. Turn left onto
Route 94 and take the second left into the park, designated by a small white sign with black lettering. Learn about
the PVTC, a Friends Organization of the Kittatinny Valley State Park. Bring lunch and a drink. Contact:
pbk123@aol.com or (908) 930 9745. www.pvtc-kvsp.org.
High Point State Park, Sussex, Montague. Sat, 6/7 – “National Trails Day Equine Ride and Overnight Stay.” Fee
for overnight stay with horse, please see website for details. High Point State Park Office. Contact: (973) 875-4800.
www.Lusscroftfarm.com.
Paulinskill Valley Trail, Kittatinny Valley State Park, Warbasse Junction. Sat 6/7 – “National Trails Day
Celebration.” 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Visit our exhibit at the junction of two former railroad lines or hike the scenic
and tranquil rail-trail and learn about the history of the railroads that used to transport passengers, agricultural
products, and iron ore through Sussex and Warren County. Free. Contact: (908) 684-4820
Madison Recreation Complex, Madison. Sat, 6/7 – “Madison Recreation Complex Trails Dedication.” 11:00 am 12:00 pm. The Madison Recreation Complex (MRC) Master Plan Advisory Committee worked with the Land
Conservancy of New Jersey to design and build a series of trails in an area known as the Madison Recreation
Complex. This si the first phase in developing a passive component of the complex. In the future, a handicapped
accessible trail and connector trails will be designed and built. The trails are enclosed by deer fencing to implement
a reforestation plan and to remove the invasive plant species. Contact: BaillieA@rosenet.org or 201-874-7451.
Richard W. DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst. Sun 6/8 – “Richard W. DeKorte Park Plant Walk.” 10:00 am -12:00 pm.
Join us for a free two-hour plant walk with botanist Edith Wallace and BCAS President Don Torino. We will be
looking for the plants that attract birds and butterflies, and which ones would work in your home gardens. Past
walks with Edith have been a delight. We’ll keep an eye out for birds and butterflies, too. The walk – part of
National Trails Day weekend– is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon
Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. You will have to sign a standard liability release
that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To rsvp (required), contact Don Torino of the BCAS at
greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.
Roland-May Eves Inlet Sanctuary, Lake Hopatcong. Sun, 6/8 – “Lake Hopatcong Foundation National Trails Day
Nature Hike.” 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Bring your family and friends to join the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, a 501(c)3
dedicated to improving Lake Hopatcong, to explore the beautiful trail at Roland-May Eves Inlet Sanctuary
overlooking Henderson Cove, Lake Hopatcong. A narrated one hour moderate hike to learn about the geology of
Lake Hopatcong, wildlife habitat and other interesting information. Parking available at Sanctuary located at 401
Lakeside Avenue, Hopatcong. No registration required. For more information contact 973-663-2500 or
donna@lakehopatcongfoundation.org.
CENTRAL
Cheesequake State Park, Matawan. Sat, 6/7 – “National Trails Day Hike.” 10:00 a.m. Participate in a trail
maintenance hike along the trails at Cheesequake. During the 2 hour hike we will remove light trash along the
trails. Starts at the Trail head parking lot. Park entrance fee per car. Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center.
Contact: 732-566-3208
Double Trouble Village State Historic Site. Sat, 6/7 & Sun 6/8 – “National Trails Day Hike & Clean Up.” 9:00
a.m. 4-5 mile hike and litter clean up over relatively flat sandy trails around Double Trouble Historic District.
Dress for weather and bring water and snack. Garbage bags and pickers will be provided. Please bring work
gloves. FREE; pre-registration required. Contact: (732) 341-4098.
D&R Canal State Park. Sat, 6/7 – “Six Mile Run Reservoir Site.” 10:00 am. The naturalist and historian of the
D&R Canal State Park will lead a group through the Six Mile Run Historic District on one of the many trails
available to the public. Meeting at the Route 27 parking area. FREE; pre-registration required. Contact: (732) 3414098.
Gateway NRA/Sandy Hook Unit. Sun, 6/8 – “National Trails Day Hike.” 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. National Park
Service and Stewardship/Trail Project. Location: 26 Hudson Rd., Highlands,NJ, 07732.
Contact: steve_schiffer@nps.gov or 732-872-5858.
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve, Franklin Twp. Sat, 6/7 - “National Trails Day Celebration at Griggstown
Native Grassland Preserve.” 9:00 am - 11:30 am. Guided tour begins at 9:30a.m. Program activities include:
Photography, Geocaching (GPS device or GPS enabled mobile required); Hooping; Hiking (hike the trails with your
pet, leash required); History (learn about the history of Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve, and why grasslands
are crucial to nature & the environment). And informational display table will include: Photograph Display with
photographs of the Franklin Township Trails; Outdoors Safety information; Free Franklin Township Trail Maps;
Checklists; and cups of water will also be available at the display table. Bring binoculars if you have them, and
sturdy footwear is recommended. We also recommend that hikers carry bottled water and a snack, and wear insect
repellent. 1091 Canal Road Franklin Twp. 08873 or GPS address is 1091 Canal Rd. Princeton NJ 08540. For more
details and to RSVP (appreciated but not required), Contact: Fran Varacalli at franklintrails@gmail.com or 732-6907750. http://www.franklintwpnj.org/government/boards-commissions-committees/trails-advisory-committee.
Johnson Park, Piscataway. Sat, 6/7 – “16th Annual Towpath ‘Train’ing Run.” 6:00 am - 11:00 am. Meet in grove 4
in Johnson Park for a trail run on a National Scenic Trail in Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park organized by
Raritan Valley Road Runners. Mileage traveled can range .2 to 34.5 miles. RSVP required.
Contact raypetit@comcast.net or 848-391-0200. rvrr.org.
Pryde’s Point Trail, West Amwell. Sat, 6/7 – “National Trails Day Celebration at Pryde’s Point Trail.” 10:30am –
12:00 pm. Every year on the first Saturday in June, organizations around the country celebrate National Trails Day
with outdoor activities. Join us for a walk on our Pryde’s Point Trail to celebrate this year! The trail begins at one of
the highest points in Hunterdon County and loops about 1 mile down to Alexauken Creek, providing a connection
with the Alexauken Creek Wildlife Management Area. Less than half a mile down Gulick Road there will be a
driveway and parking area on the right at a sharp bend in the road.
Contact: rsvp@drgreenway.org or 609-924-4646.
Smithville Park, Eastampton. Sat, 6/7 – “Guided and Individual Hike.” 9:30 am – 12:00 pm. 1.1 mile and 2 mile
trails. Hosted by Eastampton Environmental Commission and Burlington County Parks Department. Smithville
Park, 801 Smithville Rd, Eastampton, NJ. Contact: damien.capresecco@gmail.com or 609-707-2744.
Thompson Park, Jamesburg. Sat, 6/7 – “National Trails Day – Thompson Park.” 9:30 am -12:00 pm. Join the
Middlesex County Conservation Corps as we work to complete a new hiking trail at Thompson Park. We will also
be doing maintenance on existing Thompson Park trails. Upon entering the park at Lakeview Avenue take your
first left and drive parallel to the lake shore. You will pass two parking lots then make a left at the comfort station
onto Chestnut Drive. Drive past the basketball courts and zoo and park in the lots at the end of Chestnut drive
between the ski lodge and raquette ball courts. Location: Thompson Park, 1 Lakeview Avenue, Jamesburg, NJ.
RSVP Required. Contact: scott.meyler@co.middlesex.nj.us or 732-745-3064.
SOUTH
Barnegat Branch Trail, Mill Pond, Forked River. Sat, 6/7 – “Save the Trail Awareness Walk.” 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
The Lacey Rail Trail Environmental Committee will be hosting a “Save the Trail Awareness Walk” beginning at the
Mill Pond in the Barnegat Pines and walking the 2 mile “at risk” portion of the Barnegat Branch Trail in Lacey
Township. Walk, bike or run the completed 10 mile portion(s) of the Barnegat Branch Trail from Lacey to Barnegat.
Exit 74 off the Garden State Parkway. RSVP Required. Contact laceyrailtrail@gmail.com or 609-969-7437.
www.laceyrailtrail.org.
Bass River State Forest, Tuckerton. Sat, 6/14 – “ National Trails Day Volunteer Project.” 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (lunch
till 1:30 pm). Celebrate National Trails Day by helping maintain our 12 miles of marked trails and join us for free
hot dogs and chips afterward. Maintenance includes trimming trails, picking up trash, applying trail stickers and
cleaning trailside exhibit panels. 762 Stage Road, Bass River Twp. Meet at Bass River State Forest Office.
Contact: Cynthia L. Cortiz; 609-296-1114 or email brsfsupt@hughes.net.
Bunker Hill Trails, Cherry Hill. Fri, 6/13 – “Cherry Hill Trails Conservation Stewardship Day.” 9:00 am – 12:00
pm. Stewardship/Trail Project to install two trail posts with signage on White/Red Trail Intersection and construct
a raised footpath on Purple Trail. 1040 Bobwhite Dr., Cherry Hill. Contact: 856-482-0984 or
lewis_gorman@fws.gov.
Croft Farm Trails, Cherry Hill. Sat, 6/7 – “St. Michael’s Lutheran Church Trails Day in Cherry Hill.” 9:00 am 12:00 pm. Stewardship/Trail Projects to install trail posts at two locations; to replace vandalized trail signage and
to install a post with signage to leash and clean up after your dog with a plastic bag dispenser. Additional trail
project of invasive species removal. Croft Farm, 103 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill, NJ. Contact: 856-482-0984 or
lewis_gorman@fws.gov.
Fri, 6/13 – “Croft Nature Trail Night Hike.” 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Contact: mbrown@chtownship.com or 856-488-7868.
Kresson Trails, Cherry Hill. Sat, 6/21 – “Cherry Hill Mountain Bike Trail Riding Instruction.” 9:00 am -12:00 pm.
Mountain Bike Trail Riding Instruction and Riding hosted by Cherry Hill Environmental Board. Kresson Trails,
1603 Kresson Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ. Contact: 856-488-7868 or lewis_gorman@fws.gov.
Wharton State Forest – Batsto Historic Village, Hammonton. 6/7 – “Trails Survey Day at Wharton State Forest.”
10:30 am – 3:00 pm. Join the effort to survey our trails! If you like to hike, bicycle or horseback ride. People with
mobility disabilities please help us. Bring a note pad (paper or electronic), distance measurer (tape measure
included for trail width) & a calculator. If you have, please bring: GPS unit and/or a camera to record views. RSVP
Required. Contact: wharton.nature@comcast.net or 609-567-4559.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Browns Mills. Sat, 6/7 - “Historic Whitesbog’s Botanical Trail & Suningive’s
gardens.” 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. The Botanical Trail provides a unique environment for rare and endangered
Pineland plants. The Whitesbog Preservation Trust is currently working to restore and enhance these trails with a
trail grant provided by the NJDEP. Workday participants will help Whitesbog’s Landscape Committee to restore
and enhance the Botanical trail: remove invasive species, transplant native species or pot up for later relocation,
move and transplant shrubs, line trails and mulch walkways. Help to weed gardens. Volunteers are encouraged to
dress appropriately – wear long pants and good shoes and depending on the weather, bug spray or a hat. Gloves,
water and pizza are all provided. Meet at Whitesbog General Store - just off Burlington County Route 530, at mile
marker 13, southeast of Browns Mills, in the Brenden T. Byrne State Forest. Contact: 609-893-4646 or
whitesbogpreservationtrust@comcast.net.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Green Acres Program
PO Box 420
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420
Fax. 609-984-0608
Trails@dep.state.nj.us