Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve, Protected area in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve is a protected area in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, covering wetlands, woodlands, and open meadows around a former reservoir site. Trails wind through the terrain, moving between dry upland sections and low, wet ground near the old waterline.
The land was turned into a reservoir in 1919 when Molly Ann Brook was dammed to supply water to nearby communities. After the reservoir was taken out of service, the site received protected status in 2011.
Schools from nearby towns bring groups here regularly, as the mix of wetlands, woods, and open meadows makes it easy to observe local wildlife up close. Organized programs help visitors read the landscape and understand what they are actually looking at.
The preserve has two entry points: a main entrance with parking on High Mountain Road and a pedestrian entrance on Ewing Avenue. Because the ground shifts between wet, muddy sections and drier upland paths, sturdy waterproof footwear is a good idea.
Along the old reservoir shoreline, outcrops of volcanic basalt roughly 200 million years old are visible from the trail. These rocks are part of the same geological formation that runs through much of the northeastern US.
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