The Springfield Environmental Commission has announced that the 2017 Houdaille Quarry Walk will take place from 1-3 PM on Sunday, November 19. Alyson Miller, Chair, reminded potential participants that “The Quarry Walk is a once a year event. There is no other access to this pristine natural area. This is an opportunity to see the tracks from and sometimes even the animals that inhabit the area including turkeys, raccoons, deer, coyotes, foxes and many kinds of birds. One of the highlights comes at the bottom of the Quarry where there is a pond and a tunnel under I-78.”

The Houdaille Quarry has been through many incarnations, beginning as part of a vast lava flow from an ancient volcano and continuing to its more modern use as a site for mining rock and gravel used for road building. Part of the site is now used as the Union County leaf composting facility. Another section is used by the Union County Model Airplane Club for constructing and flying model airplanes.

The annual Quarry Hike offers a guided 90-minute tour of the area. Appropriate clothing including long pants, long-sleeved shirts and jackets as well as sturdy walking shoes is suggested. This vigorous walk is not for young children (under age 7) or anyone who is physically comprised. No children’s strollers are permitted.

The entrance to the Quarry is located on Mountview Road (off Shunpike Road) in Springfield, NJ. Parking is on Mountview Road with some availability inside the gates.

For more information, please contact Mary Feldman, Springfield Environmental Commission at 908.239.2358 or [email protected]

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The Springfield Environmental Commission works with the Township of Springfield and its citizens to educate and advocate for positive changes to our environment and plays a significant role in municipal master planning, land use ordinance development and site plan reviews. The Commission sponsors several annual events including the Houdaille Quarry Walk, Clean Community Day and an Arbor Day Tree Giveaway.