Garret Mountain Reservation is 568 acre (2.3 km2) park located in southern Passaic County, New Jersey, United States and one of several National Natural Landmarks in New Jersey. Most of it is located within the Borough of Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson), although it also extends into the cities of Paterson and Clifton.
The reservation covers the northernmost part of the First Watchung Mountain and reaches over 500 feet (152 m) above sea level.
The Passaic County Parks Department operates the park while the Passaic County Sheriff is responsible for law enforcement in the reservation.
It is easily accessible from both Interstate 80 and the Garden State Parkway (via Route 19) as well as the local roads.
Garret Mountain Reservation is the county's major recreational area, providing the visitors with grass fields, several miles of walking/running trails, basketball courts, picnic areas, Barbour's Pond is state stocked with fish for anglers, as well as an Equestrian Center with horseback riding lessons. Since the park is an oasis of woodland surrounded by urbanity, Garret Mountain is a migrant trap for migrating song birds, including 35 species of Warblers, numerous Vireos, Orioles, Sparrows and Thrushes. Birdwatchers from the Tri-state areas flock to this hotspot for great views of 150+ species per year along the easily accessible trails.
Lambert Castle, located on the eastern slope of the mountain, just off Route 19, is a 19th century castle which has been recently renovated and now hosts the Passaic County Museum (open to the public). The Morris Canal once ran at the site of Lambert Castle.
For the past several decades, the reservation has been the site of hundreds of high school and college cross country meets in the fall, including the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) High School State Sectional Championships at the end of every October.
Famous quotes containing the words garret, mountain and/or reservation:
“That garret of the earth—that knuckle-end of England—that land of Calvin, oat-cakes, and sulphur.”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845)
“Give me the islands of the upper air,
all mountains
and the towering mountain trees.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
“Music is so much a part of their daily lives that if an Indian visits another reservation one of the first questions asked on his return is: “What new songs did you learn?””
—Federal Writers’ Project Of The Wor, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)