PRINCETON NJ Announcement

Abbott Marshlands to Celebrate National Hiking Day with Two Events

The nonprofit organization Friends for the Abbott Marshlands (FFAM) announces two concurrent events to celebrate American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day.

Saturday, June 3 is the Bordentown Bluffs Ramble, 10 am–12 pm; this is a fairly easy 2-mile hike that will head to the bluff above Crosswicks Creek. There will be several must-see expansive views of the Abbott Marshlands. Many native plant and tree species will be seen along the route, along with lichen, mosses, and possibility of hawk or eagle sighting. This hike is for adults or families with supervised children. RSVP (required) at marshtrails@abbottmarshlands.org. Park and meet at Stanton Avenue (off Route 206 South) trail head. See map at https://tinyurl.com/yc7v7rzz. Optional: bring water bottle, camera and binoculars for the view; wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. Can be windy at this location.

The second FFAM opportunity is Enhancing the Trail Experience at Northern Community Park. Also held June 3, 9:30am–12pm. This is a trail maintenance/stewardship project. A variety of trail enhancements will be the group’s focus, from brushing back vegetation with loppers and hand clippers to clearing a new segment of the trail. Bring water, work gloves and loppers or hand clippers if you have your own. (They will have gloves and tools, but can use additional if volunteers can bring them.) Please RSVP to Deb at dbrockway8@gmail.com. Meet at Northern Community Park on Groveville Road, Bordentown between Routes 206 and 130. For map, see https://tinyurl.com/32ywnhyz.

For those interested in future volunteer/stewardship opportunities, please visit https://abbottmarshlands.org/volunteer-opportunities/. FFAM appreciates the support of the community in Abbott Marshlands’ conservation efforts, with top goals of preservation, stewardship and people... It is the people of Bordentown, Hamilton, Trenton and beyond, who love the land, fortify their membership, and help to reaffirm the nonprofit’s initiatives for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

BACKGROUND:

The Abbott Marshlands are a critical natural and cultural resource with locations in Trenton, Bordentown, and Hamilton, in central New Jersey. Its 3,000 acres of open space include the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River and surrounding lowland and upland forests. Hiking the trails on the Abbott Marshlands’ preserved lands during the pandemic has meant much to local communities. Being outdoors, smelling the fresh air and looking at natural images while “forest bathing” are proven to calm our nerves and provide respite in a constantly changing world. The Tulpehaking Nature Center provides many educational resources. (Tulpehaking is the Lenape word for “Land of the Turtle.”)

The Abbott Marshlands Council works toward supporting stewardship, preservation, and protection of the Abbott Marshlands. Members of The Abbott Marshlands Council are private citizens, representatives of public and industrial landholders, and other parties. In 1999, preservation of these marshlands began as a project of D&R Greenway Land Trust, following a recommendation of the Hamilton/Trenton Marsh Management Plan Council. They later developed the Cooperative Stewardship Plan in 2010, an updated blueprint for stewardship and management. The Abbott Farm Historic District is the first National Historic Landmark in New Jersey, designated by the US Department of the Interior on December 8, 1976. It is an archaeological site with the largest known Middle Woodland village of its type on the east coast of the United States. Named after Charles Conrad Abbott, his early archaeological work and writings spurred much research there. His collections are known worldwide.

Friends for the Abbott Marshlands, organized in 2002 as Friends of the Marsh, is a grassroots organization of volunteers dedicated to enhancing appreciation and protection of the Abbott Marshlands. Their mission is to engage and inspire a diverse community to experience the unique nature and history of the marshlands with surrounding upland woods. In 2011 the name was changed to Friends for the Abbott Marshlands to acknowledge the historical and natural significance of the area. In 2021, they became an independent 501c(3) nonprofit.