ABOUT THE ROUND MOUNTAIN SECTION OF DEER PATH PARK

PHYSICAL LOCATION: 100 FOOTHILL ROAD, FLEMINGOTN, NJ 08822

Formed during the Triassic Period, Round Mountain reaches an elevation of 600 feet above sea level. The mountain was originally used by the Lenni Lenape for encampments. Early European settlers used the mountain for a variety of resource. Timber was cut for lumber as well as for heating fuel. Fertile farmland surrounding the base of the mountain provided food for the settlers. Today evidence of these past uses can be found throughout the park. The logging road has been incorporated into the trail system and stone walls can be found at the edges of farm fields.

Purchased from Frank Keogh, the County acquired 55 acres in 1979. Since then, an additional 181 acres have been preserved raising the Round Mountain Section’s total acreage to 236 acres.

Location: The Round Mountain Section is located in Readington Township on West Woodschurch Road. The park is open from 8:00 AM to sunset. Parking and restrooms are available at Deer Path Park.

Directions from the Flemington Area: Take Route 31 north about 4 miles from the Flemington Circle. Turn right onto West Woodschurch Road, following the signs for Deer Path Park and the YMCA. Proceed about 0.7 miles on West Woodschurch Road to the entrance to the park on the right. Continue past the YMCA entrance (the immediate right off of the driveway). The parking lot for the soccer fields will be on the left-hand side of the driveway. Park in this lot and walk across the soccer fields to the gate at the far right corner. Opposite this gate and across West Woodschurch Road is the entrance to the Round Mountain Section. Please be careful crossing West Woodschurch Road.

Directions from the Clinton Area: Take Route 31 south about 6.5 miles from Interstate 78. Turn left onto West Woodschurch Road at the signs for Deer Path Park and the YMCA. Then follow the corresponding directions above.

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.

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RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Round Mountain offers many trails for public use. Visitors can hike, bike, cross country ski, and ride horses on the trails.

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TRAILS
NOTE: Maps should be printed on Legal Size Paper

• Printable Trail Map (pdf file):
  • Peter Buell Trail: This trail was named in honor of a former employee. Peter Buell initiated and continued to be instrumental in creating trails and trail networks within the county. The Peter Buell Trail branches off near the top of the self-guided Nature Trail and spans across Round Mountain. The trail eventually brings hikers out to Foothill Rd.
• Self Guide to the Nature Trail at the Round Mountain (pdf file): The trailhead leads you on a leisurely 1.5 hike. Along the trail, numbered posts mark sites of interest described in the corresponding trail guide.
  • NOTE: Trail guides are set up as foldable brochures. Please print and fold in half vertically to view in proper order. Additionally, depending on your printer, you may have to rearrange pages.
• Cross-Country Sking Reference Guide (pdf file)

For a connecting trail system please check out the following:

• Readington Trail Association
• Bowman-Stickney Farmstead

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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. See the Departments Controlled Hunting Rules and Regulations for additional information. Visitors during hunting season are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or confine visits to Sundays.

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WILDLIFE AND HABITAT

Round Mountain’s 236 acres provide habitat to a diversified wildlife population. The forest canopy contains deciduous trees such as Oaks, Maples, Ashes, and Beech. Evergreens such as White Pine and Red Cedar are present in isolated groves or at the edges of fields.

Round Mountain serves as a resting area for migratory birds and is home for many year round residents. Woodland birds such as Wood Thrush, and Warblers, such as Common Yellowthroat and Black-throated Blue, have been seen within the park. Wild Turkeys are also a common site. Bluebird and Kestrel boxes have been installed to increase nesting opportunities for these species. There is a mountain stream which provides suitable habitat for amphibians, while the rocky terrain in some areas of the park provides suitable habitat for reptiles. Whitetail Deer are common and sightings of Red Fox have been frequently reported. There has also been evidence of nocturnal mammals such as Raccoons and Striped Skunks .

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