LOCATION: Range Road,  Linden, Union County

PURPOSE: To construct a walkway/trail with observation areas through the Hawk Rise Preserve.

BACKGROUND: In 2007, the Department entered an Administrative Consent Order with the City of Linden which included providing startup funds for the development of the Linden City Greenway public access areas.  As part of a Merck Natural Resource Damage (NRD) settlement as well as Green Acres funding and a loan, moneys were used to design and construct public access areas following the Department’s approval of the Linden City Greenway and Public Access Plan.

SUMMARY: The project consisted of developing the Hawk Rise Conservation Area which entails the construction of a walkway/trail with observation areas throughout the preserve as well as a walkway trail that leads to the Rahway River and includes an observation/viewing platform.  The observation points allow visitors to see and enjoy the panoramic view of the Rahway River, as well as the freshwater and salt marsh wetlands; the mature deciduous forest; and the resident and migratory wildlife population.  Additionally, the project also included a gravel driveway with a parking lot, fencing, a footbridge, information kiosks, a wetland bridge/elevated boardwalk and landscaping.

FUNDING: Portions of the funding for this project was from a Merck Natural Resource Damage Settlement.