| Location | South Brunswick, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Area | 1,078 acres (4.36 km2) |
Pigeon Swamp State Park is a 1,078-acre (4.36-square kilometre) New Jersey state park located on Deans Rhode Hall Road (Middlesex CR-610) in South Brunswick, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. It is an undeveloped park, with a mix of habitats including open ponds and uplands hardwood forests. It also includes a good example of an inner coastal plain lowland deciduous hardwood forest.[1] At one time, it was a major nesting site for passenger pigeons before they became extinct.[2] It was declared a National Natural Landmark in December 1976.[3]
The park is located in the Lawrence Brook watershed.
History
The name of the park came from one of its original owners, Ann Pidgeon, daughter of Jeremiah Basse.[2] It transferred to John Wetheril in 1761. In 1780, the building of the Great Ditch was begun which attempted to drain Pigeon Swamp in order to create farmland.[2] The ditch was maintained by the state until the mid 19th century. In 1945, the Dallenbach Sand Company dredged part of the site, near what is now I-95.[4] The dredged section is clearly visible from Deans Rhode Hall Road as an open area with a large lake. The entire area is fenced off.
As of February 1973, Pigeon Swamp was a 2,600 acres (11 km2) unprotected wetland. In 1974, efforts began to turn it into a state park. The park comprises a large number of land plots, owned by the state of New Jersey and managed by its Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry.[5] Development continues to occur nearby, although there are attempts to preserve space for historical or environmental reasons.[6][7]
Flora and fauna
Many instances of sweetgum, red maple, pin oak and black gum trees are visible from the road and trails.[8] In the open meadows, kestrels and red-tailed hawks have been spotted. There are also vernal pools which are heavily used by amphibians[9]
Visiting
The park is mostly undeveloped land, with no facilities, other than a small parking area. Deer hunting is allowed in the park, so appropriate cautions must be taken during deer season, including wearing Blaze orange clothing.[10]
A certain area of the park is closed off to the general public. It is used as a training facility for large cranes and tractors. The area, which includes a lake, is surrounded by barbed wire fences.
References
- ^ "NJ Wildlife Action Plan: 01/23/08". New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. January 23, 2008. p. 350. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ "A History of South Brunswick Township". South Brunswick Public Library. 2001. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ "National Natural Landmark Summary". NPS. Feb 5, 2004. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ Kotun, Maria (2004). South Brunswick. Arcadia Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7385-3594-4.
- ^ "State Owned Property, Middlesex County". New Jersey Treasury. 2007. pp. 12, 13. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ "The Van Dyke Farm (Pulda Farm) - 2006". Preservation NJ. 2006. Retrieved 2009-03-14. [dead link]
- ^ "East Village Association Campaign to Save Pulda Farm in South Brunswick". NY NJ Baykeeper. 2004. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ Cooney, Dr Patrick L (April 17, 2004). "Pigeon Swamp". NYNJCTbotany.org. Archived from the original on April 28, 2003. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ Gaetano, Chris (November 3, 2005). "Walk shows residents natural beauty in S.B.". North/South Brunswick Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 15, 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ "Public Deer Hunting Land in New Jersey". New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. December 9, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-14.