In December 2006 the former Maple Ridge Golf Course closed. For decades it had been one of most popular and enjoyable courses in Southern New Jersey. For years it had been known as Tall Pines, later The Eagle’s Nest and finally, Maple Ridge. It was sold to a development company that moved forward with plans to construct 123 homes on the site.
The Maple Ridge property consists of 112 acres in Northern Gloucester County, NJ and is located west of Woodbury-Glassboro, Rd. and south of Bark Bridge Rd. The northern portion of the property lies in Deptford Township and the southern portion in Mantua Township. It is a beautiful place. The topography is varied and aesthetic. There are open meadows now on the former greens and fairways. Groves and alleys of mature conifers and deciduous trees are scattered across the landscape. The terrain in many areas is rolling and hilly, more reminiscent of the piedmont than the inner coastal plain of northern Gloucester County. The most striking natural feature is a great stream valley through which runs the Mantua Creek. There are areas of marsh and wetlands, and patches of eastern hardwood forest.
There are paved walkways (originally put in for golf carts) that are perfect for walking or jogging throughout the property and two footbridges to cross Mantua Creek. The cost to convert Maple Ridge to a public park and to maintain it would be minimal. Preventing a large residential development so close to Mantua Creek would also help prevent degradation of water quality from residential runoff. Potential traffic and highway congestion problems resulting from large scale development would also be ameliorated by preservation.
The property is home to abundant wildlife, including such mammals as White-tail deer, Red fox, raccoon and opossum. A wonderful variety of birds can be spotted by even casual visitors, including many varieties of hawks, bald eagles, and the Short-eared owl. The many trees at Maple Ridge, both native and exotic make the site a de facto arboretum. Knowledgeable naturalists have begun the process of a natural resources inventory at Maple Ridge.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality- prevent runoff associated with development
Status: Local conservation groups that have rallied to the support of a county nature park at Maple Ridge include: Gloucester County Nature Club, Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, South Jersey Land and Water Trust, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, as well as the Wenonah Environmental Commission, Maple Ridge Preservation Committee, The Township of Deptford, The Township of Mantua, the Borough of Wenonah, and the Gloucester County Office of Land Preservation.
