ABOUT

LOCATION

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

HUNTING

WILDLIFE AND HABITAT

TRAIL AND GUIDE INFORMATION

SUMMARY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

PARK BROCHURE

ABOUT TOWER HILL RESERVE

Tower Hill, a former farm of 150 acres, is today comprised of 216 acres of meadows, forested slopes, and wetlands. The farmhouse, built by Conrad Wene before his death in 1848, started out as a one-room cottage. The stone springhouse was built in the 1840s and is unusual in that it is a two-story structure.

The farm was purchased as a weekend retreat for Ira and Margaret Devonald on behalf of their seven siblings in 1932. Commuting from West Orange, the siblings participated in chores ranging from growing oats and corn to raising sheep and fighting birds. Eventually, three of the children, Edwin, Florence, and Margaret, resided at the farm year-round. Margaret sold the farm to the County in 1983.

Acreage 216 Meeting Room NO Softball Field NO Biking Mtn. NO Bridle Trail NO Canoeing NO X-Country Skiing YES Fishing NO Fitness Trail NO

Gardens NO Greenhouse NO Hiking/Nature Trails YES 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.

{To Top}

 

LOCATION

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 944 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD, ASBURY, NJ 08802

Location: Tower Hill is located in Bethlehem Township on Mountain View Road. A grass parking lot is available. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this park.

Directions from the Clinton Area: Take I-78 west to exit 12. At the stop sign, make a left onto Route 173 and then a quick right onto Route 635. Proceed to the village of Norton and turn left onto Norton Church Road. After a short distance, turn right onto Mountain View Road. The parking lot will be on the left hand side.

Directions from the Bloomsbury Area: Take I-78 east to exit 11. From the exit ramp turn left and cross over the I-78. Follow the circle around and turn right onto Strotz Road. Continue on Strotz Road to Norton Church Road and turn right. Proceed to Mountain View Road, turn left and continue to the parking lot on the left.

 

{To Top}

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Tower Hill offers an easy hiking trail which is approximately 1 mile in length. The trail meanders along the edge of the meadows that comprise most of the reserve. Mountain biking and cross-country skiing are permitted on the trail. Horseback riding is not permitted within the park. The trail crosses Mountain View Road twice. Please use caution when crossing.

{To Top}

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.

{To Top}

WILDLIFE AND HABITAT

The meadows at Tower Hill are managed for grassland birds. Seasonal mowing is done after the nesting season, to ensure that the species have the chance to nest successfully. Bluebird houses stand throughout the meadows and the birds can be spotted all year long. Other species of note reported within the park include American Woodcock and Baltimore Oriole.

The meadows contain beautiful wildflowers such as white clover, butter and eggs, and white snakeroot. These wildflowers draw butterflies such as Monarchs and swallowtails to the meadows.

Part of Tower Hill has become a marshy wetland due to the efforts of local beavers. Evidence of these beavers and their activity can be seen in the form of chewed stumps, fallen trees, and a dam.

{To Top}

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.

• Park Brochure and Trail Map
• Trail Map
• Tower Hill and Jugtown Mountain Trail Connector
• Cross Country Skiing Reference Guide

{To Top}