Spruce Run Preserve

A beautiful property in Clinton Township has been preserved through the combined efforts of the Hunterdon Land Trust, Clinton Township, and the New Jersey Green Acres program.. A wooded 20-acre parcel along Valley Crest Road was preserved using Green Acres funds. Another 75-acre lot between Valley Crest Road and Allerton Road was preserved using a combination of Clinton Township and Green Acres funding.

In the spring of 2004, Bob LeCompte contacted the Hunterdon Land Trust because he was interested in permanently preserving his farmland and wooded areas. “I love to see kids playing here. I was an Eagle Scout as a kid and later a scoutmaster. I was always interested in the woods and open space. Now I want to make sure this pristine area is always here for my family and the community.” Mr. LeCompte’s granddaughter Devon, whose home is on the property, is studying agricultural business at Oklahoma State. Mr. LeCompte hopes to continue farming and operating a recreational camp for young people on the site.

The Land Trust put him in touch with Clinton Township and helped facilitate the preservation by working with Mr. LeCompte and the Clinton Township Open Space Committee chairperson, Cathy Sipe. The Land Trust completed some of the early technical work, including appraisals and drafting easements. It also created the first maps used to define which portions of the property would have trails and which would continue farming.

The 75-acre lot is primarily agricultural land which is currently supporting many uses including a tenant horse farm, an apple and peach orchard, hay fields and a small Christmas tree farm. The horse farm has an equestrian school and a summer camp for Clinton Township youth. This parcel will have a trail along its western boundary which will run from Valley Crest Road to Allerton Road.  The trail area was preserved by Green Acres and will be open for public recreation when the trail is completed. This parcel is across the street from woods surrounding Round Valley Reservoir.

The 20-acre lot is mostly wooded and was preserved with Green Acres funding. This portion will also have a public-access trail which will connect with the 75-acre lot trail.