Location:
PHISICAL LOCATION:
CLOVER HILL PARK: 19 CLOVER HILL ROAD, FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822
SOUTH BRANCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA: 422 THREE BRIDGES ROAD, FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822
Location: Clover Hill Park & SBWMA are located in Raritan Township on Clover Hill Road and Hillsborough Road in Somerset County. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no restroom facilities available to the public.
Directions from the Flemington Area to South Branch WMA: From the Flemington Circle, proceed north on Route 202 for 1/2 mile to the intersection with Route 650 - Voorhees Corner Road. Take Route 650 to the end and turn left onto Route 613. Go about one mile and turn right onto Hillsborough Road. (The last turn before you cross the river.) The park entrance is on the right in about 1/2 mile.
Directions from the Flemington Area to Clover Hill Park: From the Flemington Circle, proceed north on Route 202 for 1/2 mile to the intersection with Route 650 - Voorhees Corner Road. Take Route 650 to the end and turn right onto Route 613. Go a short distance and turn left onto Clover Hill Road. The park entrance is on the left about 1/3 mile. When you park please do not block the gate.
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About Clover Hill Park and the SBWMA
The Clover Hill Park and South Branch Wildlife Management Area (SBWMA) consist of 552 acres of rolling fields, mature woodlands, and several creeks. While the park is owned jointly between Hunterdon County and the State of New Jersey, the County entered into a management agreement for the whole property in 2008.
Once owned by John P. Case, Jr., the site was an established poultry farm in 1930. The farm had a four-story barn that housed chickens in addition to several coops that lined the property. Considered the last full-scale chick hatchery in the state, the farm served an average of 60 customers a day. After Mr. Case's death in 1985, the site was incorporated into a pharmaceutical research farm. The County, in conjunction with the State, acquired the property in 2000, with the County owning 116 acres.
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Hunting
In order to control the population of deer on park property, hunting is permitted. Hunters must obtain a special permit issued by the Parks Department to be able to hunt on the preserve. Visitors during hunting season are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or confine visits to Sundays. See additional information on the Hunterdon County Park System Controlled Hunting Program.
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Agricultural Use
The County contracts much of the land to a local
farmer, who has agreed to comply with a management plan. Please be considerate. Stay on the trails and do not pick or damage any crops.
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Recreation Opportunities
Clover Hill Park & SBWMA are undeveloped parks. The trail system consists of old paved driveways and the farmer's service roads. One can use the trail system to hike from Clover Hill Road across the park to Hillsborough Road in Somerset County. Mountain biking, crosscountry skiing, and horseback riding are all
permitted uses on the trails within this park.
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Trail Map and Guide Information
NOTES: Trail Guides are set up as foldable brochures. Please print and fold in half vertically to view in proper order. Additionally, you may have to rearrange pages. Maps should be printed on Legal Size Paper.
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Habitat of Clover Hill Park & SBWMA
While most of the SBWMA is contracted for agriculture, some of the fields are managed for grassland habitat. A multi-agency team lead by New Jersey Audubon has been reclaiming and re-seeding old fields into warm season grasses with the hopes of establishing several grassland species, such as Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Along the trail system, visitors will see artificial houses to promote Eastern Bluebirds and American Kestrels.
Near the Hillsborough Road entrance, there is a small pond where migrating waterfowl and herons may stop for a break.
There are a few wooded areas throughout the park and evidence of mammals can be found, such as tracks and scat from Raccoon and Virginia Opossum. Red Fox and Coyote have been seen moving through the park.
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