HARRIER MEADOWS (North Arlington)

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This 70 acre* site is located within the Saw Mill Creek basin.  It was acquired by the NJMC in 1996 from the Land Reserve and Franklin Contracting Company.  Harrier Meadows was initially part of a large marsh system influenced by Kingsland Creek and Sawmill Creek.  The wetland has been cut off from full tidal inundation due to the construction of a pipeline and the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. 

In the 1960’s, Harrier Meadow was the disposal site for shot rock from the construction of US Route 280. The location of Harrier Meadow lies in the shadow of the 85 foot ridge of exposed red shale that stretches from North Arlington to Lyndhurst.  In 1710, the nearby property was sold to Arent Schuyler for 300 pounds.  In 1719, an accidental discovery by one of Schuyler’s slaves ploughed up a rock while working in the field.  The rock was identified as copper and was evidence there was a valuable deposit of copper ore to be mined out of the ridge.  The Schuyler Mines opened and proved to be very profitable.  Approximately ¼ miles south, through the vegetation you can still see one of the shafts where the Schuyler Copper Mines were located.  These entrance holes in the side of the ridge are now sealed.

The restoration at Harrier Meadow was completed in September 1998. There are passerine habitats along the marsh; dabbling duck, shorebird and wading bird breeding, wintering and migratory habitats; greater access for fish and some degree of mosquito control. The adjoining Erie Landfill is currently being converted into an upland habitat. 

Access to the site is limited and not open to the general public.