Passive Recreation Parks
- Roaring Rock Park
- Dick Flint Natural Area
- Lake Marguerite Wildlife Refuge
- Griffith Woods Natural Area
- Pohatcong Creek Natural Area
- Springtown Road Natural Area
The Recreation Committee is looking for volunteers to provide periodic maintenance for hiking trails on Township passive recreation properties. Dependable maintenance is needed several times each year. This work is not difficult and experience is not required. Training and support will be provided. For more information, please contact Chris Blackwood at (908) 246-1810 or parc@washington-twp-warren.org.
Click here for an Open Space Map
ROARING ROCK PARK Click here for map
Two hundred sixty two (262) acres, both sides of Brass Castle-Harmony Road and also Brass Castle Road. Property was purchased from New Jersey American Water Company in 1999 for preservation.
Access is on Brass Castle-Harmony Road, at the park sign. The short access road and parking area were completed by the Washington Township Department of Public Works in 2000.
In 1999, a 1.9 mile challenging hiking trail (white diamond markers) was completed. It includes two creek crossings and reaches the “summit” (975 ft. elevation) of the southern section (223 acres).
In 2000 completed another hiking trail (blue diamond markers) in the easterly area to the summit (0.8 mile). In addition, a picnic area and a short “easy” trail have been completed.
In general, the terrain is heavily wooded (mostly hardwoods, a few pine and cedar trees). The trails are challenging in some parts. The property includes a pond and Brass Castle Creek, with good fishing.
DICK FLINT NATURAL AREA Click here for map
The Washington Water Company acquired the property in the early 1880's to supply water for the town of Washington after a series of fires affected the town's main industry which was organ and piano manufacturing. A caretaker, responsible for maintaining the springs and reservoir, lived on the farm site, which consisted of a house, a milk house, a barn, a pig shed, and several out buildings. The farm was torn down in the 1960's, but two large trees, foundations and the ruins of the milk house mark the spot where the farm once stood.
The property, acquired by Washington Township in 1999, is part of 400 acres that is named Roaring Rock Park. In 2011, the 139 acre parcel on the north side of Harmony-Brass Castle Road was named in honor of Dick Flint's 20+ years of dedication to the passive and active recreation areas in Washington Township. The 1.9 mile perimeter trail that passes the farm site was developed with the help of Warren Hills students.
LAKE MARGUERITE WILDLIFE REFUGE Click here for map
Twenty-two (22) acres off Jonestown Road. Access is from Jonestown Road, at park sign. Established in 1981 with a donation of property by John Lundy.
Lake Marguerite Wildlife Refuge consists of a small pond (about one acre and 0.7 mile of trails/roads with four (4) bridges across flowing streams. The bridges and trail benches were built and erected by students and faculty from Project Excel School.
The terrain is flat with open fields, wooded areas and wetlands.
During the last two years a fishing derby for children sponsored by the Junior Women’s Club has been conducted in May. Fishing is limited to children 14 years and younger at Lake Marguerite.
GRIFFITH WOODS NATURAL AREA Click here for map
Forty-four (44) acres off Jonestown Road. There are two access points, one at the northeasterly end of Lake Marguerite Wildlife Refuge and the other on Jonestown Road about ½ mile east of the entrance to Lake Marguerite. Park signs identify access points. Established in 1998 with a donation of property by Doctor and Mrs. William Griffith.
In 1998/99, a 1.8 mile hiking trail was completed. There is a “perimeter” trail (red diamond markers) and a short “connector” trail (white diamond markers). Trail maps are available at entrances.
The terrain is fairly flat, some rocky areas and a few wet sections (especially in the spring). There are two streams that are crossed by the trails. The entire property is heavily wooded, mostly with hardwoods.
POHATCONG CREEK NATURAL AREA Click here for map
Ninety-one (91) acres along the Pohatcong Creek, east of Mine Hill Road, behind Warren Hills Regional High School and south of Fairway Valley Golf Course. Access is off Mine Hill Road at parking area near the “log cabin” and the park sign.
This area is largely undeveloped although there is a short hiking trail. The bridge across the creek, rebuilt by Project Excel students, was washed out by hurricane Floyd in the fall of 1999.
There is good potential for extensive hiking trails, especially along the south side of the creek. The terrain is heavily wooded with wetlands north of the creek. The creek is also stocked with trout.
Click here for a map of the Pohatcong Creek Watershed Native Plant Arboretum.
SPRINGTOWN ROAD NATURAL AREA
Twenty (20) acres off Springtown Road across from Hawk Pointe Golf Course. Access is from Springtown Road (Nature Trail Sign) and parking is difficult.
There is a 0.75 mile nature trail (loop) that was made by the 4-H Club (white diamond trail markers).
The terrain is up hill from Springtown Road and heavily wooded.
TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE THESE PROPERTIES. THEY PROVIDE AN EXCEPTIONAL OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE.