Preserve Info

The only Trust preserve which also shares the designation of State Natural Area, Readington Preserve exists as a quiet riverside woodlot, within a mostly rural community. Initially a land donation to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation in 1969, management was soon transferred to the newly-formed New Jersey Natural Lands Trust. The Trust saw that this property was added to the New Jersey Natural Area System to ensure an extra level of management for conservation. Many feel the Rockaway Creek is the defining feature of this preserve. The historic iron truss bridge on Lamington Road slows down hurried travelers, giving them time to view the river’s height that day, watch a beaver working a shoreline tree, or see a fly fisherman cast for a trout in a cool dark river bend pool. The floodplain forest woodlot helps maintain a high water quality and the old field habitats are abuzz with summer insects making ample food for eastern kingbird and tree swallows.

Public Access and Uses

Only access is along Lamington Road with limited roadside parking near the iron truss bridge. Visitors and fishermen can follow the short un-maintained foot trail that follows downstream along the Rockaway Creek. No hunting is permitted.

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