Fall Foliage Walk in the Houdaille Quarry this Sunday

Nature lovers get a rare chance to tour the Grand Canyon of Union County this week.

The Houdaille Quarry will be open on Sunday, October 23 and Sunday, November 6 at 1:30 p.m. for walks sponsored by the Springfield Environmental Commission.

The Quarry, located between Rt. 78 and Mount View Road in Springfield, is an ecologically unique area with trails leading to a deep basin and a beautiful pond where wild turkeys, foxes, coyotes and colorful migrating birds have been spotted. It is an important part of the greenway linking Briant Park, Hidden Valley Park, and Watchung Reservation.

In a press release about the walk, the Environmental Commission notes that basalt, a hard black volcanic rock, was once quarried here, and crushed to make gravel for road construction. During the construction of Route 78, the building debris (rocks, dirt and gravel) was used to fill in sections of the area. Now the quarry is the site of the largest leaf composting facility in the Union County,  servicing 10 municipalities.

The Springfield Environmental Commission will lead moderately strenuous two mile round trips down to the pond at 2 p.m., with the possibility of some shorter walks to scenic viewpoints. The commission reccommends participants wear sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeved shirts. Binoculars and cameras are suggested. Children need to be accompanied by responsible adults.

From, travel along Shunpike Road towards Summit and make a left after the Baltusrol Golf course onto Mount View Rd. The Quarry entrance is on the right about one mile up Mount View Road—look for the signs.  Enter the gate and park in the designated parking area.

The tour will be held rain or shine, only severe weather will cancel it.  There is no rain date. For more information, see the Springfield Environmental Commission facebook page.