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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
03 "( " & + ! % , 7/6)111)1012 # !' # $) # ! $ 00 )7 * $ - "# $ 00 )0/ +.01(// (, Che es eburge r Mac N Chees e Pull ed Pork .1/ 048 .04 Ch icken Kale Salad " " 05 %( By: Lidia S. Gabinelli, Sales Associate Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties There’s no better time of the year than now to explore the hidden treasures nestled right here in New Jersey, the Garden State. Whether you prefer gardens, hiking or bik- ing, there is an opportunity for everyone to get outside and enjoy the crisp air. Here are a few of the most liberating places to visit, located right here in our neighborhood. Hacklebarney State Park (Chester) Hiking trails in the northern portions of the 465 acre natural area offer breathtaking views of the Black River, which lies deep within a shaded hemlock ravine. Rinehart and Trout Brooks empty into the Black River and several small waterfalls can be seen from the high trails. The diversity of upland and wetland habitats provides excellent birdwatching opportunities. Come here to hike, hunt, fish, picnic or relax upon breath taking scenery. Willowwood Arboretum (Gladstone) Willowwood arboretum, 130 acres of rolling farmland, has about 3,500 kinds of native and exotic plants, many of them rare. Both wild and cultivated plantings can be seen on self-guiding tours. The pervad- ing feeling at Willowwood is one of the pleasant informal paths through open areas and woodland, all carefully devel- oped since Henry and Robert Tubbs bought the property in 1908. Leonard J. Buck Garden (Far Hills) The Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States. Begun in the late 1930’s, the garden has reached a breathtaking point of matu- rity. It consists of a series of alpine and woodland gardens situated in a 33 acre wooded stream valley. Named for Mr. Leonard J. Buck, who developed the gar- den as part of his estate, it was donated to the Somerset County Park Commission by Mrs. Helen Buck in 1976. Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve (Bedminster) This site is open to the public for passive recreation such as hiking and birding from dawn till dusk, seven days a week. Visitors can experience five miles of trails through fields and woods, a small pond, butterfly garden, and native species nursery. The barn complex, home to various education- al programs, is the site of the Association’s annual Old Fashioned Country Fair. School groups, artists, birders and daily visitors enjoy a wonderful wildlife experience. Natirar (Peapack) The property features extensive areas of lawn and woodland, river access and scenic views and contains historic farm buildings and various other residential structures and out-buildings dating from the mid-18th through mid-19th centuries. The North Branch of the Raritan River and the Peapack Brook traverse the property. Natirar presents a unique opportunity for a single property to preserve, showcase and interpret many aspects of the area’s rich architectural, cultural, historic and archaeo- logical heritage. Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center (Far Hills) The Center’s 100 acres include fields, woodlands and a formal garden designed by Mrs. Hutcheson, one of the first women to be trained as a landscape architect in the United States. Wandering through the gar- den is a sheer delight. In addition to the formal areas, there are trails that wind through the fields and along the brook. A wide variety of birds, butterflies and other animal life can be spotted during one’s visit. Alstede Family Farm (Chester) The 600 acre farm produces a huge variety of local fruits, vegetables, and flowers grown using only sustainable and USDA certified organic production methods. The Alstedes take soil and water conservation and the stewardship of their farmland very seriously, and have permanently preserved all of their farmland. Watchung Reservation (Watchung) Watchung Reservation in Union County is a 2,000 acre wooded tract where animal and plant life are protected. Highlights of the park include Surprise Lake, the Deserted Village of Feltvile/Glenside Park, the Trailside Nature and Science Center, Seeley’s Pond and the Watchung Stables. Opened in 1941, The Trailside Museum was New Jersey’s first nature museum. Duke Farms (Hillsborough) Duke Farms, located on 2,740 acres in Hillsborough, Somerset County, N.J., is one of the largest privately owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state. It is rich in ecological, horticultural and agricultural resources. Go for a hike, check out the Great Falls, stop by the Hay Barn, or learn the history behind the Old Foundation. Let the wilderness take you away! What's Cooking with Lidia....Local Treasures www.theconnectionsnj.com