Kingston Greenways Association Annual Fall Foliage Walk

Please join Kingston Greenways Association for a leisurely walk in a stunning place with sweeping views and trees wearing their autumn best. It is free and all are welcome. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.

The walk will be rain or shine.

Located at 1091 Canal Road, Griggstown NJ, the parking lot entrance is BETWEEN 1089-1093 Canal Road.

About the Preserve:

John Clyde Memorial Native Grassland Preserve was formally known as Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve, and is part of the Ten Mile Run Greenway.

The 447-acre Preserve  was acquired by the township over a 20 year period, but the township began to aggressively purchase land for this Preserve in 2001. The Preserve’s meadow is 102 acres and another 345 acres are woodland.

Unique Wildlife and Landscape Features Sensitive species found on this site include:

• Grasshopper Sparrow and Bobolink (both New Jersey state threatened species)
• American Kestrel and eastern box turtle (both New Jersey special concern species)
• Short-eared Owl (New Jersey special concern species - non-breeding) Bluebird nest boxes and the Barn Swallow structure offer an opportunity to view these bird species.

Standing at the southeastern most corner of the Red Trail offers an exceptional view of the Sourland Mountain Ridge. Although 7.2 miles from the park, visitors can easily view the Sourland Mountain Ridge which is 568 feet at its highest point. The ridge spans roughly 20 miles across corners of Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset Counties. Although the underlying geology of this region makes it undesirable for farming, this same geology makes the Sourland Ridge an important source of freshwater in the region.

The traprock deposits of New Jersey are of late Triassic, early Jurassic age. Habitat Restoration at John Clyde Memorial Native Grassland Preserve Grassland meadows provide critical habitat for more than 40% of NJ’s threatened, endangered and species of special concern. To assist these species, the township engaged in extensive habitat restoration activities included removing 5,800 feet of fence and hedgerow - an important step in creating 102 acres of meadow.

In 2005, half of the meadow was restored with a mixed planting of native grasses and native wildflowers. Passive Recreation Activities This Preserve’s six trails take visitors through restored grasslands and mature forests.