ABOUT
THE SCHICK RESERVE
 Consisting of 311 acres of rolling hills, fields, and woodlands, this was the site of dairy and farming operations for the Apgar and Schick families for over 150 years. In 1844, Philip Apgar, a blacksmith, and his wife, Rebecca, acquired the first 126 acres. To meet the needs of an expanding farm and family of 13 children, they built several barns, including a Pennsylvania-German style bank barn which still stands.
The farm remained in the family until 1917, when a neighboring farmer, Herman Schick, bought 160 acres, farm equipment, and livestock for $5000. He added another 120 acres to the farm in 1932. Eventually retiring
from farming, he died in 1997 at the age of
101. His son, Curtis, sold the farm to the
County as open space in 1994. In 2011, the Alexandria Equestrian Society agreed to construct and adopt a trail system on the property. The total length of the trail system adds up to about eight miles.
 AGRICULTURAL
USE The
County leases much of the land to a local farmer. In accepting the lease,
the farmer has agreed to farm the property while complying to a management
plan. Please be considerate. Stay on the trails and do not pick or damage any crops.
WILDLIFE
AND HABITAT The
fields at the Schick Reserve offer a wonderful opportunity to view and
find evidence of some of the County’s predators. Scan the skies to
see if any raptors are hunting in the area. Red Tailed Hawks are common
and Northern Harriers have been known to reside here during the winter
season. While walking the field roads, look for scat and tracks of coyotes
and foxes.
There
is an abundance of edge habitat throughout the Schick Reserve. The field
edges provide shelter to several birds throughout the season. Some of
the rarer species sighted include Fox Sparrows and Brown Thrashers. Small
mammals, such as rabbits and skunks, also take advantage of this terrain.
| Acreage |
311 |
| Meeting Room |
NO |
| Softball Field |
NO |
| Biking Mtn. |
NO |
| Bridle Trail |
YES |
| Canoeing |
NO |
| X-Country Skiing |
NO |
| Fishing |
NO |
| Fitness Trail |
NO |
|
| Gardens |
NO |
| Greenhouse |
NO |
| Hiking/Nature Trails |
NO |
| Horseshoe Court |
NO |
| Hunting |
YES |
| Information Board |
NO |
| Nature Study |
YES |
| Picnic Pavilions |
NO |
|
| Picnic Sites |
NO |
| Playground Area |
NO |
| Restrooms |
NO |
| Scenic Overlook |
NO |
| Soccer Field |
NO |
| Wedding Gazebo |
NO |
| Parking |
YES |
| Group Camp Sites |
NO |
| Reservable Facilities |
NO |
|
The
Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation Division is dedicated to preserving
open space and natural resources, providing safe parks and facilities,
and offering educational and recreational opportunities, all contributing
to an enhanced quality of life for present and future generations.
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LOCATION
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 190 HICKORY CORNER ROAD, MILFORD, NJ 08848
Location:
Schick Reserve is located in Alexandria Township with parking areas on Schick Road and Little York—Mt Pleasant Road/Route 631. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no restroom facilities.
From the Clinton Area to Schick Road: Take Interstate 78 west to exit 11 and cross over I-78 and follow the signs for Pattenburg. Follow Route 614 through Pattenburg to the junction with Route 579. Turn left onto Route 579 and make the first right onto Hickory Corner Road. Proceed for 1.5 miles, turn right on Schick Road, and make a quick left into a gravel parking lot.
From the Clinton Area to Route 631: Take Interstate 78 west to exit 11 and cross over I-78 and follow the signs for Pattenburg. Follow Route 614 to the Little York intersection with Route 631. Turn left onto 631 and park in the gravel lot on the left just after the firehouse.
From the Flemington Area to Schick Road: From the Route 31/202 Circle, take route 12 west to Route 579. Turn right on to Route 579 and travel through Pittstown to Hickory Corner Road. (Be careful to follow signs for Route 579 because it makes several turns.) Turn left onto Hickory Corner Road, and proceed 1.5 miles. Turn right on Schick Road, and make a quick left into a gravel parking lot.
From the Flemington Area to Route 631: Proceed as above; once on Hickory Corner, continue past Schick Road and turn right onto 631 at the T-intersection. Park in the gravel lot on the right just before the firehouse.
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RECREATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES
Schick
Reserve is an undeveloped park. No formal trail system exists within the
reserve. The general public can hike along the edge of the fields and
the farmer’s service roads. Be prepared for hiking in occasional
brushy or muddy areas. Long pants and waterproof shoes are recommended.
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 Division 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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