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Location: Melick's Bridge Section is located on Hamden- River Road in Clinton and Franklin Townships. The park area is open from sunrise to sunset. No restroom facilities are available.
Directions from the Flemington Area: Travel Route 31 north to the jug handle at Allerton Road. Use the jug handle and cross over Route 31. Proceed from Allerton Road straight to Wellington Drive. Turn left off Wellington Road onto Hamden- River Road. Parking is on the left before the bridge or on the right after the bridge.
Directions from the Clinton Area: Take Route 31 south to Allerton Road. Turn right onto Allerton Road and proceed as above.
ABOUT THE MELICK'S BRIDGE SECTION
Photo provided by June Quick
Melick's Bridge is named after the family who owned the 1880s double truss Pony bridge and surrounding land. George E. Melick and his family purchased the property in 1930 from his parents, Arten and Elizabeth, and established a 162 acre dairy operation known as "River Bottom Ranch."
While dairy was the principle income, they raised other livestock and operated a small peach orchard. The farm continued in operation until the passing of George E. Melick in 1971. His widow Helen then began selling off parcels of land.
Today, the County has acquired 151 acres of the old farmstead, all of which is included within the South Branch Reservation. The South Branch Reservation totals over 1000 acres. Besides providing recreational opportunities, the reservation helps preserve the South Branch of the Raritan River Watershed and provides wildlife habitat.
NOTE: 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
FISHING: Adjacent to the South Branch of the Raritan River, Melick's Bridge offers two trails for access to the river's edge for fishing. The river is stocked with Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout. A state fishing license with a trout stamp must be displayed.
HUNTING: In order to control the deer population, hunting is allowed (by Parks Department permit only) in some sections of this park. Please wear blaze orange during hunting season or confine your visits to Sundays. See additional information on the Hunterdon County Park System Controlled Hunting Program.
CANOEING: River access for canoes exists in the area just beyond the parking lot. Canoeing the South Branch of the Raritan River is a wonderful way to view wildlife. The river corridor provides an excellent habitat for waterfowl, which can be viewed all along the river. Aquatic reptiles, such as Painted Turtles, are regularly observed perched on the stone and tree outcroppings along the banks of the river.
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