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Long Pond Ironworks State Park
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LONG POND IRONWORKS STATE PARK
LONG POND IRONWORKS STATE PARK
c/o Ringwood State Park
Ringwood, New Jersey   07456-1799

Phone: 973-962-7031
The old stone walls, furnaces and other remnants of the once industrious ironworking community now sit tranquilly next to the swiftly flowing Wanaque River. The village is undergoing research and restoration and one waterwheel has been reconstructed. Future plans call for additional restoration work.
History of the Area
Long Pond Ironworks was founded in 1766 by German ironmaster Peter Hasenclever. Hasenclever brought 500 ironworkers and their families from Germany to build an ironworks "plantation," including a furnace, forge, houses, shops and farms. A dam at "Long Pond" (Greenwood Lake) on the upper Wanaque River provided the hydropower to operate a blast for the furnace and a large forge. Two more furnaces were constructed in the 1860s. Operations at the site ceased in 1882 due to the industry-wide conversion to anthracite furnaces using Pennsylvania coal.

The remnants of the ironmaking industrial structures at this site date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Furnaces, casting house ruins, charging areas, ice houses, waterwheels and other structures are a part of the remains. The area is currently undergoing restoration: one waterwheel has been reconstructed and several houses stabilized. The "Old Country Store" has been renovated and now houses the Long Pond Ironworks Museum.

The original Village of Hewitt grew up around the 19th-century iron enterprise. This settlement included a church, a store/post office, schoolhouses, and dwellings and outbuildings for workers and managers. Many of these cultural resources remain intact or as ruins.

Members of the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks offer tours of the furnace area and village on the second Saturday of the month, noon and 2 pm, April through November. The museum is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4 pm, with an earlier opening on tour dates during the April through November tour season. It is open by arrangement throughout the year. For more information, call (973) 657-1688.
Fishing
Anglers can enjoy fishing in the park's three bodies of water: Monksville Reservoir, Long Pond and Greenwood Lake. The reservoir is home to largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye. In addition to these species, muskellunge are also found in both ponds. Greenwood lake offers a variety of fish including striped bass, perch and catfish.



Picnicking
Long Pond Ironworks State Park offers picnic areas with tables and grills, perfect for family outings or group gatherings.
Bicycling
Bicycling is permitted on designated paths, but riders should be aware of rough terrain and steep inclines.

Mountain biking enthusiasts will find challenging trails with varied topography.

The park's rugged landscape requires a high level of skill for safe cycling.

Riders are advised to wear helmets at all times due to the potential risk from uneven surfaces or sudden drops.

Cycling after dark is not recommended as there are no lit pathways within this area.

Please note that some areas may restrict bicycling during certain seasons for conservation reasons.

Remember: safety first! Always follow posted signs and respect nature while enjoying your ride through these historic grounds.
Birding
The park offers diverse birding opportunities with over 200 species recorded, including warblers and waterfowl. Birdwatchers can explore various habitats such as forests, wetlands, rivers and ponds. The area is particularly popular during migration seasons for spotting rare birds.
Area Attractions
* Boating/canoeing: electric motors, gas motors (10 hp), trailer launch, cartop launch, boat ramps * Birdwatching * Fishing * Hunting * Winter sports: ice fishing, cross-country skiing

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Directions
From Route 287 take exit 57. Follow Skyline Drive to Route 511 (Greenwood Lake Turnpike). Turn right and travel approx. five miles. From Route 23 take Union Valley Road (Route 513) approx. six miles and bear right onto Marshall Hill Road, which becomes Greenwood Lake Turnpike (Route 511). Parking is available at the north boat ramp, Beech Road and historic district parking lots.

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New Jersey
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New Jersey State Parks

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