This post is from Toni, duly annointed steward.
Omick Preserve is a patch of woods on the north slope of the Sourland Ridge, east of Rte. 31, a little south of Ringoes. There is access from Rte. 31 via a 50' ROW just south of Ms. Omick's house. The southern edge is theoretically accessible from Rocktown Rd. via a trail easement, but there is no place to park. Basically it is undeveloped, but has a stream, a former farm pond turned into a bog, a logging road including a bridge over the stream, and a few deer stands.
I've been messing around in there for a bout a year now, mostly attacking multiflora and the red maples invading the bog. We are trying to restore the bog area, which has interesting vegetation. Jared and I plan to do a PSI this May.
Jared, I wanted to add photos, but don't see how. Maybe next week.
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Toni,
ReplyDeleteYou can add photos when you type in your post. There's a little icon in a bar of other icons, right above the box you type into. It's made o vaguely resemble a photo or something. if you click around up there you'll find it, as well as options for making bold text, italics, different typefaces and all that stuff.
It was with deep relief that I happened to run across your blog ... realizing that the Omick Preserve you are refering to was the farm my mother, Margaret Emery grew up on! Ms. Omick is the wife of my cousin Jimmy (now deceased) who inherrited the farm from his parents Nellie (Emery) and James Omick, who in turn, inherrited it from Alonzo and Sarah (Shepherd) Emery/Embley. As a child I had the privilege of wandering the fields with my mother, exploring the pond and hearing her tales of sledding on "graveyard hill" ... not sure if there really was a graveyard or merely called that by her siblings. Mom used to say "on a good day" she could get a running start with her sled and go all the way down the hills, across the fields to the Hill/Drake property off of Wertsville Rd. where she would spend the day with Bertha Susan Hill (who married J. Orion Drake)
ReplyDeleteIt's heartening to think that, though the farmhouse, which was situated very close to Rt 31 on the south side of the parcel of land where Gladys'house is located is gone along with other structures, the property will be kept clear and hopefully with trails for the public and free from construction. Enjoy your time and work there and I look forward to any photos you may post in the future.
Wow! You guys haven't kept this up - do you have another one you are using now? My cousin sent me the article saying the preserve was now open! She was very excited and arranged a trip to NJ to walk the trail on the farm where her grandmother was raised; I'm planning a trip this summer; I was surprised that Gladys Omick was never mentioned by name in the otherwise very good article - I know she used to be slightly reclusive and maybe she didn't want her name out there, but even Jimmy's name could have been used since the farm last belonged to him; but be that as it may, it is still great to see that beautiful farm being put to good use where everyone can enjoy it! The farmhouse is gone, but the memories are still there!
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