Our Work

Developing the Penn Line Mutiny Trail

The National Park Service (NPS) is partnering with the Friends of Jockey Hollow to develop a new interpretative hiking trail at the Jockey Hollow Area of the Morristown National Historic Park. The park is currently in the planning stage for this proposal.

The Penn Line Mutiny Trail would span approximately 0.33 miles through upland forest. The trail would be constructed of natural substrate to accommodate hikers. For the first time in present-day, the trail would connect the Bettin Oak Monument to the former Fort Hill redoubt location via the existing White trail.

The trail would interpret events associated with the winter encampments of General George Washington's Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In early 1781, the Continental soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line faced a cold winter, poor housing conditions, and shortages of food and supplies. The soldiers revolted, demanding better conditions and higher pay, as per their enlistment contracts. Their efforts were successful, and the event was considered reflective of the larger grievances between the United States and England during the Revolutionary War.

The NPS invites members of the public to comment on the preliminary project scope and resources to assess in a future impact analysis. You can submit comments through the public website or by mail at Morristown National Historical Park, c/o Jude Pfister, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ 07960.

After considering input received during this initial civic engagement period, the NPS will refine the preliminary alternatives. The next phase will assess compliance needs under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, and other resource protection laws and regulations. Once NPS releases its preliminary NEPA document, the public will have another opportunity to review the proposal.

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. Each spring, we get 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 used as 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. 30 active trail volunteers oversee other work, such as emergency repair work and the cutting back of invasive species, to keep the trails about 4 feet wide.

A collage of photos with trees and bushes.

Owing to the insidious emerald ash borer, over 120 Ash trees were removed in 2023, leaving numerous stumps and debris that we are assisting the park with removing.

Working with Fullerton Grounds Maintenance and their heavy equipment, we are will continue to address this need.

The old fence surrounding the Wick Garden had seen better days. The beams were listing, and the wire fencing was old and compromised. 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.

A group of logos that include the new jersey historical garden foundation.

FOJH is proud to partner with many outstanding organizations that take on various essential jobs that support Jockey Hollow.