• Fairy Trail and River Trail to be closed starting June 15th
• Celebrate National Trails Day: June 6th
• Volunteer Work Days in June
• Mayapple Trail Runs recap
• S.W.A.T. Spring Updates
• Join the SMC Ambassadors!
• Free hikes continue!

Starting on June 15th and continuing through the third week of August, major renovations to the Rahway Fairy Trail and River Trail in South Mountain Reservation will take place as part of a major $1.2 million project funded by a NJ Green Acres grant and Essex County's Open Space Trust Fund. During this time, the Locust Grove parking lot will be closed, the Fairy Trail will be inaccessible, and parts of the River Trail will be off limits.

Planned by the County Parks Department in consultation with the South Mountain Conservancy, this project will enhance the experience of Fairy Trail visitors. It will improve the Locust Grove parking area with a delineated turnaround area and a sidewalk to allow safe passage from Glen Avenue. On the trail itself, there will be improved paths and drainage, rustic benches, and a six-sided shelter at the high point of the trail. In preparation for this work, some 100 fairy houses have already been moved off the trail to protected areas.

The work on the River Trail will encompass its entire length from Locust Grove to South Orange Avenue and allow better access for medical and fire emergency vehicles. It is part of a long-term safety plan involving multiple woods roads throughout the reservation developed by the Conservancy.

During the 90 days of construction, access to trailheads from Locust Grove (besides the Rahway and River Trails) should still be possible, although construction equipment will be parked there. In addition, when specific parts of the River Trail are closed off, signs will be posted indicating alternative routes.

The project will be overseen by the Essex County Parks and Public Works Departments along with the Conservancy. Design work was developed by Suburban Consulting Engineers of Flanders, NJ, and construction will be done by Picerno-Giordano Construction of Kenilworth, NJ.

On Saturday, May 16th, 159 hardy runners charged up the reservation's steep slopes at the Conservancy's 17th Mayapple Trail Runs. With routes ranging from one mile (a kids' race) to a grueling 50+-mile ultramarathon that ascends over 6,000 feet, there was a distance suited for every stalwart trail runner. (Detailed course descriptions are HERE.) The event, the Conservancy's largest annual fundraiser, netted approximately $7,400, which will fund diverse programs from Forest Regeneration to trail improvements.

 SMC Chair Dennis Percher, who served again as race director, was assisted by Joe Brandine with his state-of-the-art chip timing system. This is laughably distant from the clock dial held high to herald the start of races and the pen-and-paper timing system used years ago. We've come a long way! This year we also improved our water resupply system by purchasing eight refillable 7-gallon water containers after running out last year in the hot weather (upper 80s).

This race could not have been as successful without the support of Essex County Parks, which provided additional portable toilets, tents, tables and chairs. The Millburn Fire Department with EMS staff and an ATV was critical to ensuring our runners' safety throughout the day and had to deal with bloody scrapes and a dislocated knee this year. We were also supported by the nearby Sneaker Factory which provided electrolyte drinks.

Finally, this event could not have taken place without three dozen dedicated volunteers. Whether creating GPX tracks for runners, marking the 27 miles of trail with ribbon and chalk (and later removing the ribbons), staffing aid stations at the Locust Grove, Turtle Back and Mayapple picnic areas, or shuttling refilled water containers where needed, these volunteers made these races possible. Hats off to all of them.

The tally for this USA Track and Field sanctioned race, (though somewhat less than last year's 202 runners), was: 50 mile (8 finishers, 1 DNF); 50K (25 finishers, 2 DNF); 20 mile (37 finishers); 10 mile (58 finishers); and 5 mile (25 finishers). Three kids ran the rocky one-mile course.
 

Pictured below, Race End: Last volunteers and the last 50 mile runner (second from right) 

The South Mountain Conservancy Ambassadors Program is a dedicated team of volunteers who serve as friendly, knowledgeable stewards of the South Mountain Reservation.

Ambassadors help us preserve, protect, and restore the Reservation by:

• Educating visitors about SMC’s mission and programs
• Encouraging responsible trail use
• Promoting membership, donations, and volunteer opportunities
• Sharing trail knowledge and engaging with hikers
• Gathering feedback to improve the visitor experience

• Minimum of 4 volunteer days per year (ideally one weekend day per month at key Reservation locations) You choose your days!
• Occasional tabling at community events (fairs, festivals, etc.)
• Must be 18+

Ready to represent the Conservancy on the trails? Apply here:

We provide training, uniforms and materials — including SMC information, SMR guides and outreach guidance — so you’ll feel confident and prepared.

For more information, contact Program Coordinators Penni Malakates and John Bylancik at smcambassadors@somocon.org