Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary

I've enjoyed this spot since I was a child and short cut my way to grammar school through it! A short walk through the grounds is both a way to recharge and relax. You see an amazing number of birds and other animals.

The Stone House is charming, if you have small children they have wonderful programs about the environment among other activities. And I have a personal connection-my best friend grew up in the house that Stewart Hartshorn built for Cora a few blocks away.

Lush hilly terrain. The Arboretum is fenced in so deer can't bother the native plants. It turned into a lovely day, so the birds are out. I can sit here for hours just watching the leaves sway. There are walking trails, plenty of benches, and a Stone house that has exhibits and information. Park is open all year round, but apparently the Stone house is only open on certain days. It is not open now.

Very quiet, so peaceful here. Another great place to do some bird watching. There are lots of different types of wildflowers and trees. Hilly walking trails. We love this place. Street parking is easy to find.

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education, forest conservation, encouraging citizen science and volunteerism.

The land was gifted to Cora E. Hartshorn by her father in 1923. The stone house was completed in 1933 and the buildings and property were given to the Millburn township upon Cora's death in 1958. In 1961 the Short Hills Garden Club took possession. A major building renovation took place in 2007.

Today the arboretum features 16.45 acres and about 3 miles of trails. It is a sanctuary for 40 species of trees, birds and native wildflowers, ferns and other flora. Walk along well established trails featuring unique topological features such as a Kettle moraine and a natural amphitheater sculpted by glaciers.

Inside the the stone house are animal exhibits, mounted specimens of birds and mammals and a small collection of live animals which I did not see because the building was closed.

I am planning to return later in the Fall to observe the numerous migratory birds that rest and feed on their way south. There is a trail map that can be downloaded on their website. Dogs are not allowed and parking is only on the Hartshorn Arboretum side of the street.