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MANVILLE: Duke Farms’ ‘new era’ opens May 19

By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
   Duke Farms officials say they will “usher in a new era of the property’s history” when they open a new orientation center and miles of trails Saturday, May 19.
   The former estate, once the home to the Duke family of tobacco and energy fame, will expand its educational programs and recreational opportunities.
   ”We are pleased and excited to offer public access to almost 1,000 acres of the core area of the property for self-discovery,” said Timothy M. Taylor, executive director of the Duke Farms Foundation.
   Duke Farms is located on 2,740 acres in northern Hillsborough. A few years ago, the mission of Duke Farms was rethought, and officials chose to make the site a “model of environmental stewardship in the 21st century and to inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land.”
   Visitors will be able to explore 18 miles of new trails through woodlands and meadows and past lakes and waterfalls. Along the way, more than two dozen interpretive signs and audio tours explain the history of the property, the significance of the native habitat and the stewardship practices in use.
   The opening-day ceremonies will take place in the orientation center, located on Duke’s Parkway West between Route 206 and Roycefield Road. The foundation has renovated the century-old Farm Barn, a 22,000-square-foot former horse and dairy barn that has been renovated using the highest energy standards in building materials and daily use.
   Activities May 19 will include a bird walk, fun run, bike ride, program on bald eagles, tethered balloon rides, walks to look for mushrooms and swamp animal life. Open-air artists will paint landscapes, 20 rain barrels will be decorated, visits to the organic community garden visits are encouraged, and you can learn how to transplant a native plant.
   Sunday, there will be a program on bats, geocaching and bird, tree and meadow walks.
   All activities are free, although some programs require advance registration as space is limited. Events are rain or shine, though some events may be rescheduled for Sunday in the event of inclement weather.
   In addition to the orientation center, built in 1906 as a thoroughbred horse barn, the Farm Barn building will house a classroom and café on the first floor and staff offices on the second floor. It is powered by a solar array on the property.
   Rather than build anew, “we made the decision to capture the embedded energy of the existing building for adaptive reuse,” Mr. Taylor said. “The renovated Farm Barn now serves as a model for adaptable structures as well as regenerative habitats that may be replicated on a small or large scale by others.”
   Visitors may walk, bicycle or roller blade into the cultural core of the former estate or hop aboard a two-carriage tram that will take them into the core area north of Duke’s Parkway West where the trail network will be open to the public.
   The site offers 4 miles of paved lanes that are wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly, and cyclists are welcome to bike more than 12 miles of paved and gravel paths.
   Picnic tables are available at several locations, but there is a carry-in, carry-out policy so visitors should bring along trash bags to carry out any refuse. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed, and pets are prohibited in deference to the native wildlife.
   The tram will stop at three locations in the core of the property:
   • The Old Foundation, which is the site of the start of a never-completed mansion for the Duke family. The steel was donated to a World War I effort.
   • The Orchid Range, the property’s oldest conservatory, now is renovated to LEED gold standards. It houses a tropical orchid display and a semi-tropical coastal floral display;
   • The Great Meadow is a once-manicured expanse of lawn that is now a native wildflower meadow, making it a great place to see butterflies. From there, visitors may follow lanes, paths and trails to explore the property further and see the results of extensive habitat regeneration.
   Duke Farms has removed invasive nonnative plants from 830 acres of the property, and 325 acres of meadows have been restored, Mr. Taylor said.
   ”More than 200,000 plants have been propagated from seed collected from our own specimen trees, bushes, shrubs, forbs and flowers in our onsite native nursery,” he said. “These plants have been used to replace the nonnative species that have been removed.”
   Duke Farms is introducing an expanded offering of educational programs, from family programs to more advanced classes for professionals who want to learn more about eco-friendly landscaping and building practices.
   Recreational activities include a GeoTrail that will open Sunday, May 20. Visitors should bring their GPS to find 11 geocaches located on the site; those who do will receive a commemorative Duke Farms token. There also is orienteering, which is point-to-point navigation with a map and compass.
   Duke Farms will continue as a destination for bird-watchers. The property was one of the first sites designated an “Important Bird Area” by New Jersey Audubon; more than 230 species of birds have been identified on the property.
   In the summer months, the wildflower meadows attract butterflies and butterfly watchers. With nine lakes and a variety of habitats, dragonfly enthusiasts also will enjoy visiting the property as will those who enjoy wildflowers and native trees and plants; Duke Farms is home to several state-champion trees.
   ”We hope that people will come to Duke Farms to enjoy nature and, along the way, become more aware of issues and solutions that impact the health of our ecosystem,” Mr. Taylor said. “And we hope that they will take what they learn here and apply it to their home environment where seemingly small changes can have an aggregated huge impact on our environment.”
   Beginning May 19, Duke Farms will be open six days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but closing Wednesdays. There will be no fee to visit.
   For information, a schedule of opening-day activities or to register for programs, visit www.dukefarms.org.