Trail Improvements in Norvin Green North and Long Pond Ironworks State Park

October 14, 2020
Kylie Yang, Program Coordinator
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

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Trail Improvements in Norvin Green North and Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Wyanokie High Point Fall Sunrise. Photo by Diana Richards.

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Several trail improvements, which aim to make trails easier to follow, are underway in Norvin Green State Forest-North and Long Pond Ironworks State Park. The improvements include changing blaze colors and creating new trails, and are being undertaken in conjunction with JORBA (Jersey Off Road Biking Association).

This "Proposed Trail Changes" map shows the new planned trail system in Norvin Green-North and Long Pond Ironworks. Please take a moment to review this map, and photograph or print it for easy reference during your outing.

As of December 3, 2020 the changes include: 

  • Lake Sonoma Loop (orange blazes) is complete
  • Construction of the Tapawingo Loop (blue blazes) is underway by JORBA. This blue loop is the only new multi-use trail in the area - all others retain their historic use, including all hiking-only in Norvin Green.

  • Manaticut Loop (yellow blazes) is complete

  • West Brook Connector (pink blazes) is complete

The changes being made to the trail system at Norvin Green State Forest-North and Long Pond Ironworks State Park were sparked by a rise in visitation, which has been accompanied by a rise in lost hikers, leading to a persistent need for the services of local search and rescue. This concept of reinvisioning trail systems to create loop trails has already been successfully introduced at Ramapo Valley County Reservation in New Jersey, where reports of lost trail users have been drastically reduced and the overall hiking experience has been greatly improved.