In the summer of 2010, Passaic River Coalition staff, interns, and volunteers created a new interpretive trail at our Highlands Meadow Property in Ringwood, NJ. This circular trail takes visitors back in time to learn about life on a late 19th century farm. Visitors can follow the trail guide and read about different features on the property as marked by numbered trail tags.
This walking tour is a short hike taking you back to a late 19th/early 20th century farm. Please respect the buildings and structures still standing here and let your imagination see the life lived here by three generations of the Vreeland-Rhinesmith family.
Highlands Meadow was the Vreeland family farm. Three generations worked this farm from the 1880s into the mid-20th century. Each generation looked after the next as the younger generations cared for the farm and family as time passed. Peter Vreeland bought the land in 1882 and married Jane Fenner. They raised 8 children in a farmhouse that no longer exists. They gave their oldest son, James, the property below the farm where there is currently an office building. Their youngest son, Harry, built a second farmhouse (now the red house) next to the original. He and his wife Susie Mae Benjamin raised 11 children there. Harry’s daughter Jennie Jane married Orlin Rhinesmith and they raised their family of 10 in the two Highlands Meadow farmhouses built by her parents and grandparents.
The Highlands Meadow Trail (marked by yellow circular tags) also connects to the Monks Trail (marked in white) that makes a loop around Long Pond Ironworks State Park. The property is located at 1101 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Ringwood, NJ. The PRC owns the red house on the hill which is rented by Skylands C.L.E.A.N.
Parking is available in a gravel lot at the end of the driveway and to the RIGHT. The trail starts at the red farmhouse.