ANNOUNCING BURNETT BROOK NATURAL AREA

The Mendham Township Environmental Commission announces the opening of a new woodland trail in the Burnett Brook Natural Area.  As the first step in utilization of this natural area acquired in 2000, a one-mile loop trail has been constructed, providing an opportunity for short walks on easy trails through a classic wetland setting.

The trails, shown on the attached sketch, were designed and constructed under contract with the Environmental Commission by Bob Rooke, a highly respected builder of woodland trails throughout Morris County.  They begin and end at a parking area on Mount Paul Road just off Route 24.  The trails cross a tributary of Burnett Brook and several seasonal streams on sturdy log bridges, loop around a scenic pond and amble through a densely wooded 46-acre wetland tract.

The property was acquired by Mendham Township from Stirling Tomkins, who had farmed much of the property for almost 50 years.  The Township, under its open space acquisition program, acquired two tracts totaling 70 acres in 2000.  A third 60-acre tract was placed in New Jersey’s farmland preservation program and sold to a private buyer.  Trails are planned in 2002 for the 24-acre upland property to the south of the wetland property.

The construction of the trails is consistent with Mr. Tomkins’ wishes that the property be retained in its natural state and managed to protect and enhance its plant and animal resources and to interpret its natural resources to visitors.

The new trails at Burnett Brook Natural Area expand the length of trails open to the public in Mendham Township to 55 miles.  Township owned properties open to walkers includes: Meadowood Park, Dismal Harmony Natural Area, Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, India Brook Natural Area, Tempe Wick Reserve and Cold Hill Reserve.  A Township-wide trail map and larger scale trail maps for several of the properties lilsted above are available at the Mendham Township Administrative Office and the Township Library.

If you have any questions or comments about trails in the new Burnett Brook Natural Area or any of the Township owned or maintained properties, contact Ralph Rhodes at 973-543-6878 or Sarah Dean Link at 973-543-7744