A Walk Through South Mountain Reservation in NJ (Part 1)

We didn't come across many animals, but we wanted to show viewers what South Mountain Reservation in New Jersey is like.

The following is from www.essex-countynj.org.

"WEST ORANGE

Created in 1862 by the State Legislature as the Town of Fairmont, it was enlarged in 1863 and re-named West Orange.

MAPLEWOOD

Incorporated with South Orange in 1861 when they separated from Orange. Sections known as "Middleville" and "Jefferson Village" became Maplewood in 1922.

MILLBURN

The town called Millville became Millburn when it seceded from Springfield in 1837. In 1857 it was incorporated as a Township.

ACREAGE
2047.14

South Mountain Reservation covers 2,047.14 acres in the central section of Essex County, extending through the municipalities of West Orange, Maplewood, and Millburn, bordering South Orange, between the first and second ridges of the Watchung Mountain Range. The presence of the early Lenape Indians lingers in the name given to the Watchung—the "high hills."

The reservation has changed only slightly through the years. It's been preserved primarily in its wild state. Woodlands abound in a variety of hardwood trees, and tall hemlocks tower above streams, creeks and ponds. The west branch of the Rahway River flows through the valley. A reservoir and watershed owned by the City of Orange lies in the northern tract.

Turtle Back Zoo and the Richard J. Codey Arena lie within its boundaries. The vistas of New York, Elizabeth, Union, Staten Island, and Newark can be viewed from the eastern ridge, 550 feet above the community of Millburn. Deep in the woods a 25-foot waterfall at Hemlock Falls is a dramatic feature.

Largest of the Park System's reservations, it was built from land purchases begun in 1895—the first year of the Park Commission's life. It took a decade to untangle the deeds and assemble all the lands at South Mountain."

To finish reading about the Reservation, visit: http://www.essex-countynj.org/p/index.php?section=parks/sites/so.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• hiking
• outdoors
• nature for two
• south mountain
• reservation
• park
• new jersey
• rahway river
• mallard
• duck