Garret Mountain Reservation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Garret Mountain Reservation | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) | |
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| Location | West Paterson, New Jersey |
| Nearest city | Paterson |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 568 acres (2.3 km²) |
| Governing body | Passaic County, New Jersey |
Garret Mountain Reservation is 568 acre (2.3 km²) park located in southern Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. Most of it is located within the Borough of West Paterson, although it also extends into the cities of Paterson and Clifton.
The reservation covers the northernmost part of the First Watchung Mountain and reaches over 500 feet (152 m) above sea level.
The Passaic County Parks Department operates the park while the Passaic County Sheriff is responsible for law enforcement in the reservation.
It is easily accessible from both Interstate 80 and the Garden State Parkway (via Route 19) as well as the local roads.
Garret Mountain is the county's major recreational area, providing the visitors with grass fields, several miles of walking/running trails, basketball courts, picnic areas, Barbour Pond stocked with fish for anglers, as well as an Equestrian Center with horseback riding lessons. Since the park is an oasis of woodland surrounded by suburbia, Garret Mountain is a migrant trap for returning spring birds, subsequently attracting several birdwatchers to its easily accessible trails.
The Lambert Castle, located on the eastern slope of the mountain, just off Route 19, is a 19th century castle which has been recently renovated and now hosts the Passaic County Museum (open to the public).
For the past several decades, the reservation has been the site of hundreds of high school and college cross country meets in the fall, including the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) High School State Sectional Championships at the end of every October.
