Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve
Encyclopedia
Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve is a 147 acre public nature reserve
located mostly within Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
, with a tiny portion extending into North Haledon, New Jersey
. Situated between the First and Second ridges of the northern Watchung Mountains
, the preserve occupies the site of the former Haledon Reservoir, which previously supplied water to North Haledon
, Haledon
, and Prospect Park
. Passive recreation opportunities include hiking, fishing, and bird watching.
, which flows through the preserve, was dammed in 1919 to form the large Haledon Reservoir and an accompanying smaller basin. However, by the mid 2000s, the Haledon Reservoir and its surrounding property were disused and no longer maintained.
In 2006, the borough of Franklin Lakes, the host municipality of the majority of the property, purchased the reservoir facility in part with funds provided by the New Jersey Green Acres Program and the Bergen County
Open Space Program. At the time, the site represented the largest land acquisition in the history of Franklin Lakes. After making extensive improvements to the property, including repairing roads and completing much needed maintenance on the property’s two dams, the newly christened Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve was opened to the public in June, 2011.
location.
There are two entrances into the preserve, leading visitors to different areas. The main entrance is just off of High Mountain Road in North Haledon, connecting to a road running across the top of the dam which impounds the lower basin pond. There is a parking lot at this entrance, a picnic area, and the start of the preserve's main path which stretches about a half mile along the east side of Haledon Reservoir. A few small, unmarked trails extend west off the main path, leading to the shore of the reservoir and part of the system of manmade berms extending out into the water. The main path also runs through a few areas of exposed volcanic basalt, lava that erupted to the surface 200 million years ago as the super continent Pangaea
rifted apart during the early Jurassic
. The largest outcrop occurs along the northeast corner of the reservoir, forming an approximately 50 foot wide ‘basalt beach’ that extends from the water’s edge to the tree line.
The other entrance to the preserve is along Ewing Avenue, near where the road crosses the outlet of a swampy pond. There is no parking lot here, and access must be gained by foot. The entrance leads visitors onto a path which extends across the large, western berm structure projecting into the reservoir’s waters. Many spots along the berm have been cleared for fishing, and excellent views of nearby High Mountain are possible from multiple locations.
Boating, swimming, and wading are not allowed.
The preserve, which requires a fishing license, has been listed as ‘one of the 100 best spots for fishing in New Jersey’. Common catches include largemouth bass, black crappie, pickerel, yellow perch, sunfish, giant carp, and catfish.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
located mostly within Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,590. As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the...
, with a tiny portion extending into North Haledon, New Jersey
North Haledon, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,920 people, 2,626 households, and 2,077 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,300.6 people per square mile . There were 2,675 housing units at an average density of 777.0 per square mile...
. Situated between the First and Second ridges of the northern Watchung Mountains
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...
, the preserve occupies the site of the former Haledon Reservoir, which previously supplied water to North Haledon
North Haledon, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,920 people, 2,626 households, and 2,077 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,300.6 people per square mile . There were 2,675 housing units at an average density of 777.0 per square mile...
, Haledon
Haledon, New Jersey
Haledon is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,318.Haledon was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1908, replacing the now-defunct Manchester Township, based on the...
, and Prospect Park
Prospect Park, New Jersey
Prospect Park is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 5,779....
. Passive recreation opportunities include hiking, fishing, and bird watching.
History
The area of the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve was once used as a reservoir and watershed to supply downstream municipalities with drinking water. To this end, Molly Ann BrookMolly Ann Brook
Molly Ann Brook is a tributary of the Passaic River which flows south between the northern ranges of First Watchung Mountain and Second Watchung Mountain in Passaic County and Bergen County, New Jersey...
, which flows through the preserve, was dammed in 1919 to form the large Haledon Reservoir and an accompanying smaller basin. However, by the mid 2000s, the Haledon Reservoir and its surrounding property were disused and no longer maintained.
In 2006, the borough of Franklin Lakes, the host municipality of the majority of the property, purchased the reservoir facility in part with funds provided by the New Jersey Green Acres Program and the Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
Open Space Program. At the time, the site represented the largest land acquisition in the history of Franklin Lakes. After making extensive improvements to the property, including repairing roads and completing much needed maintenance on the property’s two dams, the newly christened Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve was opened to the public in June, 2011.
Description
The 147 acre Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve sets aside 120 acres of land for public recreation, including 75 acres of water. Due to its location, the preserve features an unusual variety of terrain. Swamps and wetlands are extensive, visible in almost every section of the property. However, there are upland areas of the park, comprising manmade berms, gentle natural slopes, and the occasional knob or outcrop of volcanic traprock. This configuration gives rise to a unique setting where normally distant plant communities are in close proximity to each other, providing the basis of a diverse ecology. Because of this distinctive environment, the preserve features a variety and abundance of insects, and it is reputed to be a good bird watchingBirdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
location.
There are two entrances into the preserve, leading visitors to different areas. The main entrance is just off of High Mountain Road in North Haledon, connecting to a road running across the top of the dam which impounds the lower basin pond. There is a parking lot at this entrance, a picnic area, and the start of the preserve's main path which stretches about a half mile along the east side of Haledon Reservoir. A few small, unmarked trails extend west off the main path, leading to the shore of the reservoir and part of the system of manmade berms extending out into the water. The main path also runs through a few areas of exposed volcanic basalt, lava that erupted to the surface 200 million years ago as the super continent Pangaea
Pangaea
Pangaea, Pangæa, or Pangea is hypothesized as a supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras about 250 million years ago, before the component continents were separated into their current configuration....
rifted apart during the early Jurassic
Jurassic
The Jurassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about Mya to Mya, that is, from the end of the Triassic to the beginning of the Cretaceous. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic era, also known as the age of reptiles. The start of the period is marked by...
. The largest outcrop occurs along the northeast corner of the reservoir, forming an approximately 50 foot wide ‘basalt beach’ that extends from the water’s edge to the tree line.
The other entrance to the preserve is along Ewing Avenue, near where the road crosses the outlet of a swampy pond. There is no parking lot here, and access must be gained by foot. The entrance leads visitors onto a path which extends across the large, western berm structure projecting into the reservoir’s waters. Many spots along the berm have been cleared for fishing, and excellent views of nearby High Mountain are possible from multiple locations.
Activities
- Fishing
- Bird Watching
- Hiking
- Walking/Jogging
- Picnics
Boating, swimming, and wading are not allowed.
The preserve, which requires a fishing license, has been listed as ‘one of the 100 best spots for fishing in New Jersey’. Common catches include largemouth bass, black crappie, pickerel, yellow perch, sunfish, giant carp, and catfish.