Welcome to Hawk Rise Sanctuary, a 95-acre ecological preserve and wetland complex, which was carved out of a former landfill in Linden, New Jersey.
This park is open from dawn to dusk and includes a “double-legged" lollipop trail of about 1.5 miles that alternates between boardwalk and gravel paths. In addition to panoramic views of the Rahway River, trails are equipped with interpretive signage to provide visitors with habitat descriptions and information regarding over 120 species of birds and other wildlife that have been seen in the area.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land where water drains into an individual stream, lake or other body of water. It includes all of the land, soil, rocks, plants, and animals as well as people and everything built by people. It is separated from other watersheds by high points in the area such as hills or slopes. The Rahway River Watershed encompasses 83 square miles or 53,000 acres.
Your Watershed Address
Just like you have a home address where you receive mail, you also have a watershed address – although what leaves your watershed address is more important than what arrives! When water leaves your yard, street or sidewalk it travels somewhere. Some seeps into the soil, but surface water flows downhill into a storm drain, stream, river or lake.
Most of the rain that falls on a driveway in Linden flows into a storm drain, which flows into the Rahway River, which flows into the Arthur Kill and eventually into the ocean. So, wherever you live, remember to keep your storm drains clear of leaves and debris and never pour anything down the storm drain!
Despite manmade landscape dominating the region, nature remains resilient with oases of remarkable natural areas tucked in pockets along the various branches of the Rahway River. Preservation and restoration of Hawk Rise increases the green footprint not only for people but also for wildlife.