Whippany NJ County Offers Great Outdoor Recreation

whippany nj county

Whippany nj county has plenty to offer the homebuyer looking for a quality neighborhood. It has a great school system, low tax rates and is easy to access by highways. The neighborhood is a popular choice for families and those seeking to move to a new area in Morris County.

The Whippany River – the county’s only major waterway – is a pristine, wild river that flows through Whippenny Township and Morristown. It is protected by the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee and runs through a network of parks and greenways. The Patriot’s Path, a walking and biking trail, snakes through the river’s tributaries and across its wide-open reaches to provide outdoor recreation for Morris County residents and visitors.

One of the best places to see the river is the George Griswold Frelinghuysen Arboretum, a 127-acre nature preserve in Morris and Hanover townships. There are trails through the forest, including a loop around a beautiful man-made lake, and there’s a lovely waterfall. The park is open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat in summer.

Another good place to walk along the river is in Washington Valley. The township has a wonderful trail that runs through an old-growth forest on the south side of the river, and it drops you off at Washington Valley Road. You can walk back on pavement, or you can cross the road and follow the trail along the edge of the river for a while. The secluded woodland is teeming with wildlife, from wood ducks to bog turtles.

You can also take a drive through the Troy Meadows, the largest of the Whippany’s trout streams, where it flows through hardwood forests, swampy marshes and a few open fields. The stream is a state “Category One” trout production river, and its water is clean enough to support many species of fish.

When you’re ready to find out more about the river, head over to the Whippany River Museum. This quaint historic building, located in Hanover Township, is filled with artifacts and photographs related to the river’s history.

It’s a great place to visit and a fascinating part of Morris County’s history. The museum features displays, exhibits and books about the river’s wildlife, its history and its environmental significance.

The museum also offers programs and events to help the public learn more about the river and its people. A guided tour is available on Mondays.

Once you’ve taken in the sights, be sure to stop in for a drink or two at one of the many pubs and restaurants in Whippany. Il Capricio serves a tasty Italian menu while Nikko Japanese Restaurant offers Southern Japanese fare. The Auld Shebeen Pub has genuine Irish beers and lots of dark wood paneling for a comfortable atmosphere.

You can also explore the historical landmarks in the neighborhood. Founded in 1685, the village of Whippenny became the first settlement in what is now Morris County. An iron forge was the first industry here, a church was built and a “burying yard” was established along the Whippanong River.