Please see the link below for our Deer Management Program

 https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/mercer-county-park-commission/naturalist-department/stewardship/deer-management

Location & Contact:

111-167 Cold Soil Road, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

General Information: 609-303-0700

Picnics, Special Events & Group Use: 609-443-8560 x 110

Events & Recreation: 609-443-8560

History & Establishment: Until recently, what is now known as Mercer Meadows consisted of Rosedale Park, the Mercer County Equestrian Center, Mercer County Park Northwest (the “Pole Farm”), and Curlis Woods.  To unify this system of parks, in 2010 they were merged under the new name Mercer Meadows.  The new park is now divided into five districts – Farm History, Rosedale Park, Ecological, Equestrian, and the Pole Farm – each with unique historical and natural aspects and diverse recreational opportunities.

From 1929 – 1975, the Pole Farm District and much of the Farm History District belonged to American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T), and was the site of a large shortwave radio station used for international communications.  During this period, arrays of radio antennas were distributed throughout the Pole Farm, each configured to communicate with cities worldwide.  Mercer County acquired the property from AT&T in 1998.  A single antenna still stands at the Reed/Bryan Farm entrance.  Several areas of historical interpretation exist throughout the district.

Through the land that is now the Rosedale Park District of Mercer Meadows, there were two creeks that flowed into the Stony Brook.  In the 1950’s and 60’s, these creeks were dammed by the federal government to control the accumulation of sediments downstream in Carnegie Lake during heavy rains.  The lakes and the surrounding farmland were acquired from the Blackwell and Farrington families by Mercer County in 1994 to be maintained as parkland.  The Noah Hunt House, now part of the Mercer Meadows Farm History District, was part of this acquisition.

The Curlis Lake Dam on the west edge of the Equestrian District was constructed in 1960 to reduce the effects of flooding of the Stony Brook.  The main barn at the Equestrian Center was built by the Janet Schaafsma in 1979.  After it was acquired by Mercer County in 1994, the barn was updated to include 31 stalls, indoor and outdoor rings, and eleven horse pastures.

Ecological District: This northernmost district of Mercer Meadows contains habitats such as young forest, meadow, shrubland, and a corridor through which the Stony Brook flows.  For now, access to the Ecological District remains limited to minimize human impact.  This area of Mercer Meadows may be the site of future hiking trails and environmental interpretation.

Equestrian District: The Equestrian Center, a facility of Mercer County, offers boarding, riding lessons, and ring rentals.  The Equestrian District also provides passive recreational opportunities for other park users.  This district is the home of the Mercer Educational Gardens, maintained by the Master Gardeners of Mercer County.  Several trails pass through Curlis Woods, with contain some of the oldest forest at Mercer Meadows, and travel along the edge of Curlis Lake.  This trail system also connects to Main Street in Pennington.

Farm History District: The Farm History District of Mercer Meadows serves to highlight the region’s history as agricultural land.  Remains of several 18th and 19th century farmsteads, including foundations, farm lanes, and field boundaries, are still present from when the area was actively farmed.  The Historic Hunt House, the original parts of which were built by Noah Hunt in the mid 1700’s, remains on Blackwell Road.  The building was restored and now serves as the headquarters of the Mercer County Park Commission. Visitors to the Farm History District can walk the many trails through the park. Interpretive signs are posted throughout the district highlighting historical points of interest. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail also runs through the Farm History District.

Pole Farm District: Since its acquisition in 1998, the Pole Farm has been allowed to revert to natural fields and forest.  In 2012, a 435-acre habitat restoration project was undertaken to improve the grasslands for native wildlife by planting seeds of native grasses and wildflowers.  Today it supports a number of rare and threatened wildlife species, including grassland birds that rely on the large meadows to nest.  A walk on the scenic trails that wind through the meadows and woodlands of the Pole Farm offer nature lovers a chance to see many varieties of plants and wildlife.

Rosedale Park District: The Rosedale Park district provides a scenic and tranquil setting for picnics, walks, and other outdoor recreation.  A system of trails, including a section of the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail, passes through the woodland and fields of the district, providing easy access to the Stony Brook, Willow Pond, and Rosedale Lake.  Fishing is a popular pastime in these three bodies of water, which are also an attraction for wildlife such as Bald Eagles, Osprey, and many varieties of waterfowl.  

Rosedale Park is the only district of Mercer Meadows enhanced to provide both passive and active recreational opportunities, and near the main entrance on Federal City Road are a baseball diamond, an off-leash dog park, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, volleyball net, and several acres of open lawns.

Facilities: 

Picnic Tables: Picnic tables are available at every entrance, as well as in more secluded areas throughout Mercer Meadows.

Picnic Pavilions: The picnic pavilions at the Rosedale Park district can be rented for parties and events.  For more information, click here.

Playgrounds: Two playgrounds are located in the Rosedale Park district, one at the lake’s edge and the other adjacent to the picnic pavilions.  Another playground is located at the Equestrian Center.

Restrooms: Public restrooms are available at most entrances.

Wildlife Viewing Areas: Two observation towers and wildlife blinds are located within the Pole Farm district, each with environmental interpretive information.

Equestrian Center: The Equestrian Center is located on Federal City Road.

Mercer Educational Garden: The Garden, which is open year-round to the public, is located in the Equestrian District on Federal City Road. 

Historic Hunt House: The headquarters of the Mercer County Park Commission, the Hunt House is located on Blackwell Road.  The parking area provides access to the Rosedale Park district and the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail.

Accessibility: Restrooms, picnic areas, wildlife viewing areas, and several trails (Lawrence-Hopewell, Maidenhead, and Twin Pines Trails) are ADA accessible.

Lawrence Hopewell Trail: The Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) is a 20+ miles bicycle and pedestrian recreational trail and transportation corridor through public and private lands in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships, Mercer County, New Jersey. The idea for the LHT grew out of a commitment to improving the quality of life for all who live or work in the region. The LHT supports an active, livable, and sustainable community with alternative forms of transportation to reduce reliance on automobiles. 

The LHT was conceived by employees of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Lawrenceville campus in 2001 and then quickly embraced by staff from Educational Testing Service (ETS). The LHT was officially incorporated in 2002.

The LHT runs through Mercer Meadows and connects the Pole Farm, Rosedale Park and Equestrian Districts. For more information click here.

Master Gardeners of Mercer County: The Master Gardeners of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County is a group of volunteers who provide horticultural information and programs to the community. Trained by faculty and staff of NJAES, Rutgers University, and by horticultural experts, the Master Gardeners are knowledgeable about a wide range of gardening subjects. 

The mission of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County is to excite, inspire, and encourage the residents of Mercer County to participate in the rewarding experience of responsible gardening and pest management. Rutgers Master Gardeners demonstrate responsible gardening at the Mercer Educational Gardens, a two acre site located in the Equestrian District of Mercer Meadows.

Programs & Activities: The following recreational activities are allowed at Mercer Meadows: Fishing, Hiking, Jogging and Biking.

Canoeing & Kayaking: Canoeing and Kayaking is permitted at Rosedale Lake.

Wildlife Viewing: Park users are encouraged to enjoy birds and wildlife from a respectful distance.  A number of wildlife viewing areas, including observation towers and wildlife blinds, are provided throughout Mercer Meadows.

Horseback: Horses are permitted on designated trails.

Nature Programs: For a list of upcoming public nature programs held at Mercer Meadows, please download our Nature Program Newsletter.