ABOUT SUNNYSIDE PICNIC AREA

Sunnyside Picnic Area was owned by Charles W. Alpaugh from 1921 until 1932. He was president of the South Branch Power Company and a self-proclaimed “Pioneer Power Developer.” He proposed a plan to harness the waters of the South Branch by constructing a power plant to generate hydroelectricity. His venture never gained public support and the project was abandoned by 1928. The property changed hands several times until 1975. That year, the County acquired the land as an addition to the South Branch Reservation.

Today, the South Branch Reservation encompasses over a thousand acres and helps preserve the watershed of the South Branch of the Raritan River. The reservation preserves wildlife habitat and provides recreational opportunities.

LOCATION

PHYSICAL LOCATION: 47 KICENIUK ROAD, ANNANDALE, NJ 08801

Sunnyside Picnic Area is located on Kiceniuk Road, Clinton Township. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Please note that there are no restroom facilities in this area.

Directions from the Flemington Area: From the Flemington Circle, take Route 31 north about 5.6 miles, make a right onto the jug handle for Stanton Station Road. On Stanton Station Road, make the first right onto Lilac Drive. Travel approximately one mile to Kiceniuk Road and turn left. After crossing the railroad tracks, Kiceniuk bears to the right. Do not proceed straight and cross the river. Continue along Kiceniuk, the parking lot is on the left just before the bridge.

Directions from the Clinton Area: Take Route 31 south about 5 miles from Interstate 78 to the traffic light for Payne Road. Turn right onto Payne Road and proceed to the end. Turn left on to Lilac Drive and proceed for just over a mile. Turn right at Kiceniuk Road and follow the directions above.

{To Top}

Additional Information:

The Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation Department 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.

{To Top}

TRAIL 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.

• Printable Trail Map
• Cross Country Skiing Reference Guide
• Download Park Brochure/Guide

{To Top}

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Adjacent to the South Branch of the Raritan River, Sunnyside offers a wonderful location for fishing. The river is stocked with Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout. A trail runs the length of the property and provides several points of access to the river. A state fishing license with a trout stamp must be displayed while fishing along the river.

Along the trail, four picnic sites with grills are available for public use. 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 corridor along the river provides 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.

{To Top}