Watchung Reservation
Encyclopedia
Watchung Reservation is the largest park
in Union County
, New Jersey
, United States. It is bounded by the city of Summit
, the borough of Mountainside
, the township
s of Berkeley Heights
, Scotch Plains
, and Springfield. The reservation consists mainly of the upper valley of Blue Brook
, between the ridges of First Watchung Mountain and Second Watchung Mountain
. A dam
near the headwaters of the creek creates Lake Surprise
.
While there are playground
s, golf courses, stable
s, and a museum
within the reservation, much of the 1,945 acre (7.8 km2) parcel is forested, and the reservation is managed for the preservation of its natural resources.
The most popular recreational activities in the reservation are hiking
and horseback riding
on its many trail
s. The county-owned Watchung Stables are located on a large cleared area in the eastern end of the park, and at the center is the Trailside area, a large park with picnic table
s and playground equipment.
The Trailside Nature & Science Center is at the southern edge, along Coles Avenue in Mountainside.
Climbers
within the state have been drawn to the bouldering
opportunities on the cliffs along the brook and Diamond Hill Road at the Watchung's western boundary, although it is prohibited and indeed, actively discouraged by the county.
The land in the reservation has not been pristine and undeveloped for many years prior to and since the reservation's establishment. An entire village, Feltville, once existed in the woods in the northwestern quadrant and recently became inhabited again, as observed in January, 2010. One popular hike in the western reservation goes through a pine
plantation left by the Civilian Conservation Corps
during the 1930s.
In spite of heavy local public protest, twice, higher levels of government have taken land in the reservation for their own purposes. The first time was in the late 1950s when the U.S. Army
built a Nike missile base
and operated it between 1957 and 1963 to defend the airways over New York City. Today, the site has been redeveloped for use as stables. A more lasting effect on the reservation came in the 1980s when, following years of litigation and public activism, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
won approval for completion of Interstate 78
through the northern fringe of the reservation. Land bridge
s designed to allow wildlife to travel safely between the severed parts of the Watchung Reservation were built, but they have failed and are largely not used by animals.
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
in Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. It is bounded by the city of Summit
Summit, New Jersey
Summit is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. At the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 21,457. Summit had the 16th-highest per capita income in the state as of the 2000 Census....
, the borough of Mountainside
Mountainside, New Jersey
If you are looking for the community in Ontario, see Mountainside, Ontario.Mountainside is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States...
, the township
Township
The word township is used to refer to different kinds of settlements in different countries. Township is generally associated with an urban area. However there are many exceptions to this rule. In Australia, the United States, and Canada, they may be settlements too small to be considered urban...
s of Berkeley Heights
Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Berkeley Heights is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,183....
, Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
, and Springfield. The reservation consists mainly of the upper valley of Blue Brook
Blue Brook (Green Brook)
Blue Brook is a tributary of Green Brook which runs from Summit, New Jersey through Lake Surprise in the Watchung Reservation and terminating at Seeley's Pond near the corners of Diamond Hill Road and Valley Road where it meets Green Brook....
, between the ridges of First Watchung Mountain and Second Watchung Mountain
Watchung Mountains
The Watchung Mountains are a group of three long low ridges of volcanic origin, between 400 ft. and 500 ft. high, lying parallel to each other in northern New Jersey in the United States...
. A dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
near the headwaters of the creek creates Lake Surprise
Lake Surprise (New Jersey)
Lake Surprise is a reservoir in made by Surprise Lake Dam in the Watchung Reservation. It is on the border of Berkeley Heights and Mountainside. It feeds the Blue Brook, which feeds into the Green Brook...
.
While there are playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
s, golf courses, stable
Stable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
s, and a museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
within the reservation, much of the 1,945 acre (7.8 km2) parcel is forested, and the reservation is managed for the preservation of its natural resources.
The most popular recreational activities in the reservation are hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and horseback riding
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
on its many trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
s. The county-owned Watchung Stables are located on a large cleared area in the eastern end of the park, and at the center is the Trailside area, a large park with picnic table
Picnic table
A picnic table is a modified table with attached benches, designed for eating a meal outdoors .-Uses:...
s and playground equipment.
The Trailside Nature & Science Center is at the southern edge, along Coles Avenue in Mountainside.
Climbers
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
within the state have been drawn to the bouldering
Bouldering
Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
opportunities on the cliffs along the brook and Diamond Hill Road at the Watchung's western boundary, although it is prohibited and indeed, actively discouraged by the county.
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
plantation left by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
during the 1930s.
In spite of heavy local public protest, twice, higher levels of government have taken land in the reservation for their own purposes. The first time was in the late 1950s when the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
built a Nike missile base
Project Nike
Project Nike was a U.S. Army project, proposed in May 1945 by Bell Laboratories, to develop a line-of-sight anti-aircraft missile system. The project delivered the United States' first operational anti-aircraft missile system, the Nike Ajax, in 1953...
and operated it between 1957 and 1963 to defend the airways over New York City. Today, the site has been redeveloped for use as stables. A more lasting effect on the reservation came in the 1980s when, following years of litigation and public activism, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
New Jersey Department of Transportation
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation...
won approval for completion of Interstate 78
Interstate 78 in New Jersey
Interstate 78 is an east–west route stretching from Union Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania to New York City. In New Jersey, I-78 is called the Phillipsburg–Newark Expressway and the Newark Bay Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike...
through the northern fringe of the reservation. Land bridge
Land bridge
A land bridge, in biogeography, is an isthmus or wider land connection between otherwise separate areas, over which animals and plants are able to cross and colonise new lands...
s designed to allow wildlife to travel safely between the severed parts of the Watchung Reservation were built, but they have failed and are largely not used by animals.
External links
- Trailside Nature & Science Center - includes trail maps
- Watchung Reservation - information from New York New Jersey Trail Conference