Community Park North Forest Restoration Project

This joint project between the Municipality and the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) seeks to restore 45 acres of forest at Community Park North, part of the greater Mountain Lakes Recreation Area that comprises nearly 400 acres of preserved open space and farmland. Over the past decades, a large portion of this spruce and pine plantation was blown down in major storms, allowing invasive species to flourish, which, in combination with excessive deer browsing, have suppressed the natural regeneration of the forest. This project will remove invasive species and plant thousands of native trees and shrubs in their place, improving habitat and resources for birds and other animals. It will also increase the amount of carbon sequestered by the forest in future years and make it more resilient to climate change.

Work will begin in July 2025 and continue until October 2027. The trails through Community Park North will be closed between July15th and October 15th 2025 but are expected to remain open for the remainder of the project’s duration. There will be some noise and disturbance associated with the invasive species removal and planting work phases – see the image below for a breakdown of each phase and what to expect. Deer exclosures will be put up around several planting areas to protect the young trees and shrubs and will remain in place until these become established.

This project is funded by a Natural Climate Solution Grant awarded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.