Our Work
Jockey Hollow’s 27 miles of trails are some of the most popular hiking attractions in the Northeast with approximately 332,036 recreational visitors each year. Early this spring we got to work on upgrading some of the trails which are subject to frequent erosion and invasive species encroachment. Working with our partners from the NYNJ Trail Conference, we purchased $7,000 of necessary lumber that was employed to become erosion control devices such as water bars, and puncheons, and check dams throughout the trail systems. Work will continue over the summer and into the fall. There a 30 active trail volunteers who oversee other work such as emergency repair work and the cutting back of invasive species in order to keep the trails about 4 feet wide. A recent assessment was conducted by NYNJTC with a multi-year list of necessary recommendations for improvement that we will be partnering with them.
 The old fence surrounding the Wick Garden had seen better days. The beams were listing and the wire fencing was old and compromised.Â
Over the course of one week - our contractor, Fullerton Grounds Maintenance, installed a custom fence made of locally sourced lumber and added new wire mesh just in time for the spring planting that the NJ Herb Society started on May 1st.Â
The new trail would recognize the largest Continental Army mutiny of the Revolutionary War and connect important sites at Jockey Hollow, including the Captain Adam Bettin Monument located on the Jockey Hollow Road across from the Wick Orchard. Â Captain Bettin was an officer killed at Jockey Hollow on January 1, 1781, by troops encamped there.
 During the 1780-1781 winter, a group of about 2,500 American soldiers of Pennsylvania troops were encamped at Morristown, under the command of General Anthony Wayne. Wayne used the Kemble house as his headquarters, arriving here on November 29, 1780. General Washington was headquartered in New Windsor, New York. At the same time, the Continental Army was spread out in small encampments which stretched along the roughly sixty miles from West Point, New York, to Morristown, where the Pennsylvania Line Mutiny Occurred. worst winter of revolution american revolution encampment george washington
Owing to the insidious emerald ash borer, over 120 Ash trees were removed this spring leaving numerous stumps and debris that we assisting the park with the removal of.Â
Working with Fullerton Grounds Maintenance and their heavy equipment we are clearing downed trees and debris from the trailheads and along the main road are currently grinding the stumps. Work will continue throughout the summer and fall.
One of our most critical partner is the  NY-NJ Trail Conference - a long-time partner organization that provides collaborative management for the repair and maintenance of the trail system at Jockey Hollow. It does so through the use of dedicated volunteers whose work is critically important to the park.  FOJH funded the archeological investigations that preceded many of these repairs and purchased the lumber required for the new water bars, puncheons, or boardwalks and check dams.
The Volunteer "Shovel Brigade" built a 150' boardwalk over the ruts and mud on the Blue Trail at Trail Center. Their work ensures that this is a smooth walk replacing the storm-caused ruts and ditches in the center of the trail.   Many thanks to NHP Trail Volunteers (members of NY-NJ Trail Conference, nynjtc.org) who accomplished this project. Huzzah!
Archeological Investigations
From 1779 to 1781, approximately 16,000 men from the Continental Army were encamped within the Jockey Hollow area. Jockey Hollow contains several known archeological sites, and archeological resources dating to the Revolutionary War have been located within the Jockey Hollow unit.Â
Recent archeological investigations have uncovered remains from these events and included excavations at the Hand’s Brigade site, the Connecticut Brigade site, and Fort Hill (Veit et al., 2019). Yet, archeological information is lacking within the locations of proposed trail work and requires initial investigations to assess the potential impact on buried cultural resources accurately.   These investigations will also provide baseline documentation for previously undocumented areas of Jockey Hollow, which will contribute to an Archeological Overview and Assessment.Â
Worst Winter of Revolution
In collaboration with the National Parks Service, the Friends of Jockey Hollow can bring an effective mix of public relations, marketing, and community engagement to raise the profile of this national treasure.
Promote Recreation
One of the most popular hiking attractions in the Northeast continues to be Jockey Hollow’s 27 miles of trails. These well-marked, sometimes rocky stretches of terrain routinely draw thousands of hikers, naturalists, bird watchers, botanists, and scouting groups the world over.
Protect the Environment
With its wealth of woodlands, streams, diverse vegetation, and wildlife, Jockey Hollow is a particularly special place in the nation’s most densely populated state. The park’s 1,300 acres represent a largely natural environmental landscape of both cultural and ecological value.