The South Mountain Fairy Trail is a half-mile hiking path in the South Mountain Reservation in Millburn, New Jersey, named as such due to the many miniature "fairy houses" along the path.[1][2] The trail is part of the mile-long Rahway Trail.[3]
History edit
The South Mountain Fairy Trail was started by New Jersey artist Therese Ojibway in 2011.[4][5] Ojibway began building fairy houses for the South Mountain Reservation's Rahway Trail in hopes of creating a safe outdoor space for her young autistic son to be able to visit. After placing the initial structures on her own, the South Mountain Conservancy gave Ojibway official permission to continue the project.[6] Ojibway did so, creating around 30 fairy houses by 2015.[5]
Around 2016, visitors to the trail began leaving their own structures, some of which were "crude" or made of plastic. Ojibway, in response, erected a sign on one of the houses, declaring that "Fairies Like: Acorns, pine cones, shells, flowers and pretty stones. Not plastic". The Conservancy was also displeased with the new structures, feeling that it violated the "take nothing, leave nothing" approach to the outdoors which the Conservancy attempted to promote. They ultimately erected their own sign, asking visitors to only leave fairy houses made of natural materials.[5]
The trail attracted many visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, as an outdoor kid-friendly activity. The increase in visitors led to soil compaction and erosion on the path, and destruction of plant life along the path.[7]
Since 2022, the trail has been upkept by Julie Gould and Beth Kelly.[6][8] In 2023, the trail hosted its first annual Fairy Day.[8]
Trail edit
The half-mile path is fairly flat, and is bordered with a rope fence to discourage hikers from trampling surrounding plant life.[3]
The approximately 80 fairy houses on the trail are made and repaired by volunteers. Trailkeepers encourage house creators to use natural materials that can decompose in the forest, and muted, natural colors.[6] Visitors are asked not to disturb the existing structures or to add their own.[3]
As of 2024, the South Mountain Conservancy has proposed a plan to improve the trail by adding benches and a covered pavillion.[8]
References edit
- ^ Free, Cathy (2024-03-28). "She made a fairy trail for her autistic son; now it's a public destination". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Take a Magical Walk Through South Mountain's "Fairy Trail"". Best of Essex. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ a b c Ink, Maria Bou (2022-10-27). "Why The New Jersey Fairy Trail Is Just Magical As It Sounds". TheTravel. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ Szumel, Erika (2020-06-25). "Wander New Jersey's South Mountain Fairy Trail". NJ MOM®. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ a b c George, Tara (2016-07-16). "Thumbelina's Secret Architect, Creating Fairy Houses on a New Jersey Trail". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ a b c O'Kane, Caitlin (2024-02-27). "She wanted a space for her son, who has autism, to explore nature. So, she created a whimsical fairy forest". CBS News. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ Kiefer, Eric (2021-08-20). "Take A Photo Tour Of This Amazing 'Fairy Trail' In New Jersey". West Orange, NJ Patch. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ a b c Gordon, Julie (2024-03-18). "The South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail Is a Magical Place to Visit". New Jersey Monthly. Retrieved 2024-03-29.