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6 SPRING EXCURSIONS
New Jersey is full of outdoor treasures to explore
WRITTEN BY JESSICA PRESINZANO
D&R CANAL
Hike, bike or kayak along the
Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail,
which stretches more than 77 miles
along the Delaware and Raritan riv-
ers. Along the way, you’ll find whim-
sical yard decorations like gnomes
and flamingoes, and stumps and
benches where you can sit and relax.
Quiet Frenchtown, a small borough
of roughly 1,300 people, is dotted
with restaurants, galleries and craft
shops where you can while away the
time after enjoying the trail.
• Bridge Street, Frenchtown along
the Delaware River; dandrcanal.com
TROY MEADOWS NATURE
PRESERVE
Troy Meadows is a 3,100-acre nature
preserve that straddles East Hanover,
Hanover and Parsippany-Troy Hills.
The National Natural Landmark
contains remnants of the prehistoric
glacial Lake Passaic and is home to
dozens of types of plants and wildlife
prime for peepin’. Besides tranquil-
ity, you’ll find miles of trails through
forest and wetland with beautiful
natural vistas, calling geese and a
boardwalk above the marshy water.
Bring waterproof boots for your
hike — these wetlands are wet. •
201 Troy Meadow Road, Parsippany;
wildlifepreserves.org/preserves/
troy-meadows
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SPRING 2019 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE
BOTANICAL GARDENS
LAURELWOOD ARBORETUM
NEW JERSEY BOTANICAL GARDENS
AT SKYLANDS
On the land once owned by civil
engineer Clarence McKenzie Lewis
and his wife stand 13 specialty
gardens surrounding Skylands
Manor. The paths that wind through
the surrounding woods offer a great
opportunity for quiet contemplation;
walking tours of the gardens are
offered free every Sunday afternoon
at 2 p.m. from May through October.
Each garden has its own theme,
including annual and perennial
blooming flowers, peonies, azaleas
and winter evergreens. • 5 Morris
Road, Ringwood; njbg.org
GREENWOOD GARDENS
In the early 20th century, self-made
multi-millionaire Joseph P. Day estab-
lished the gardens as a private retreat
from the hectic pace of city life,
and now you can enjoy it, too. The
meticulously-manicured 28 acres also
include several structures including a
stone tea house framed by ceremonial
hand-washing basins, numerous
cottages on the grounds and reflect-
ing pool. The garden is closed for
viewing until May 1; admission is
$10/adults, free for kids younger
than 12. • 274 Old Short Hills Road,
Short Hills; greenwoodgardens.org
LAURELWOOD ARBORETUM
This once-commercial azalea nurs-
ery has become a nature sanctuary.
Tucked off the beaten path in Wayne,
the 30-acre arboretum incorporates
native plant, rock and barrier-free
sensory gardens into the landscape of
trees, foxgloves, rhododendrons and
other flowering plants. A wood
gazebo and numerous benches
facilitate moments of quiet reflection.
• 725 Pines Lake Dr. West, Wayne;
laurelwoodarboretum.org.
DOWNTOWN OCEAN GROVE
History and novelty combine in
Ocean Grove. In the center of down-
town is a massive Great Auditorium
— a church and concert hall —
which is framed by the streets angled
outwards toward the beachfront.
Stop by the Centennial Museum and
travel back to the 1880s, when the
community was established, or take
one of the town’s seasonal walking
tours. In the summer, a “tent city”
of canvassing attached to wooden
platforms and permanent kitchens
and bathrooms blossoms around the
concert hall. • 21 Pilgrim Pathway,
Ocean Grove; oceangrove.org
CHAZIN;
D&R CANAL