The Marshalls Corner/Thompson Preserve represents a blend of habitats and land use—forest, meadow, and farmland. In 2010 seven acres of abandoned farmland were converted to native forbs and grasses. The remaining field acreage is leased to a local organic farmer. Native pollinator strips were planted along the active farm fields to provide habitat for native bees & butterflies. A corridor of forest shelters the Stony Brook and a tributary.
The Marshalls Corner/Thompson preserve features a FoHVOS Community Conservation project.
This 1.6 mile hiking trail is located on the Marshalls Corner/Thompson Preserve in Hopewell. It is a loop that starts out alongside agricultural fields then splits after about a quarter mile. The left fork leads through the forest where you will see young hardwood trees like oak, maple and ash. The trail overlooks a tributary of the Stony Brook while in the forest. The trail then enters a wetland that follows the main branch of the Stony Brook and has many views of giant sycamore trees on the banks. Once you leave the wetland, you return to the forest up a small hill. The trail takes you through restored meadows and you will see native wildflowers over 6 feet in height, best seen from a viewing stand. The trail then runs along the northern edge of one of the farm fields and back to the parking area.
The three fields (17 of the 57 acres) in the southwestern portion of the preserve are leased for organic farming and foraging of wild plants. In the summer of 2010, two overgrown fields totaling 8.5 acres were prepared for a restoration project. The meadows of native wildflowers and grasses that you see are a result of that restoration. Numerous species of animals can be found here, including deer, fox and birds like blue jays, woodpeckers and juncos.
Also, amphibians like frogs and toads can be found in the wetlands.
Click here to read the stewardship plan for detailed ecological information.
The Marshalls Corner/Thompson Preserve has a grassy parking area with 5-6 parking spots available. Click here for Google Maps directions. Use the address 95 Pennington-Hopewell Rd. Hopewell, NJ for a GPS, or use the coordinates 40.362742, -74.793609.