Abandoned Bogs

[PinesExplr]

Recently moved to the area, exploring Wharton/Lebenon on weekends trips. Interested in finding out about the history/background of some abandoned bogs that boarder Wharton in Medford. Posted signs say "Land Preservation 313", but other signs in the area say State Forest.

Anybody know what "313" is, or anything about this area? At first it looks like a couple of small bogs, but from the photos its looks like it was a huge complex long, long ago. I looked at old maps .. nada (one says Jobstown bogs, but Jobstown is miles away)... someone else said "Old Company Bogs" .. but no info on that.

Also near this spot is the old "West Jersey Cranberry Meadows", anyone know the current status of that? Appears from signs to be a private Duck Hunting preserve.

Any info would or ideas would be appreciated.
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.818195,-74.816895&spn=0.020699,0.040036&t=h&hl=en

 

[Teegate]

The Cranberry Meadow are private bogs; however, it appeared to me that many of them are not in use. At least on the southern end toward Atco.

There was some discussion here on this before, and one of the members also lived nearby and knew a little about them.

I know there is one member here who most likely knows quite a bit, but I have not noticed him on in a while.

Here is the previous post on this.

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/showthread.php?t=1729&highlight=meadow

Guy

 

[PinesExplr]

ah ha - good info

Thanks Guy,

This site is great, should have found it long ago. I've been asking folks about this area for a year without much result. So I guess my place backs up to the old Jobstown Bog -- the maps in that thread are spot-on. With these facts, I'm sure I can find out more about the bogs.

I kinda would like to find a dry route from to top of those bogs down into Wharton proper - but that looks like a challenge. I did hike along an old, overgrown dike, but turned back because it was getting dicey and I had my 2 year-old son with me.

I have some pics of the bogs and a 5' Northern Pine snake that visited us -- I see a lot of hawks, turtles, etc. ...but no dog-like animals, although I hear dogs at night (could be domestic).

Interesting that one of those old maps has the State Forest boundary depicted - even the disconnected part near "Grassy Lake" which appears gone now. I guess that was part of the original Wharton Tract that was originally purchased back in the 1800s by the man himself.

Thks again, Ed

 

[Teegate]

This is somewaht related to your post. In April of this year I hiked in from Jackson road to the very southern tip of Cranberry Meadow and posted this about our day. If you are into wet hiking you may want to try this one day. Just take a compass

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/showthread.php?t=1704

Guy

 

[PinesExplr]

313

Has anyone seen the yellow posted signs that say "Land Preservation 313"?

Clueless as to what that means -- private, public ?

Anyone know ? Maybe a Medford thing?

The bogs (Jobstown) must have been abandon for some time, there are lots of mature Oak, Birch, Cedar trees growing in some of the sections (esp the NE section which is forest now)

thks

 

[Teegate]

Has anyone seen the yellow posted signs that say "Land Preservation 313"?


thks

I think that earlier thread shows a photo of that sign. I will have to check.

Guy

 

[Teegate]

Here it is. The person who posted (Raiden098) posted the link from the "recent items" folder which changes.

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=random&cat=10365&pos=-3224


I fixed the link on his post.

Guy

 

[RMICKLE]

Has anyone seen the yellow posted signs that say "Land Preservation 313"?

Clueless as to what that means -- private, public ?

Anyone know ? Maybe a Medford thing?

It looks like it’s private land used for hunting by it’s members. Here’s more info on NJSA 23:3-29:

www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/semi-wild_info.pdf

I was at a Medford Township Council meeting the other night and the Pinelands Commission had a presentation of their plan for a Greenway from Wharton State Forest across the southern end of Medford and across Evesham Township. They are going to work with the townships, county and various state agencies to buy development rights through Open Space funds, Green Acres, etc. They specifically mention West Jersey Bog as being on the list to try to protect.

It’s nice to see they want to buy land and/or development rights in forested areas instead of ground like “Cow Point” in Medford (for $12 million I think) which was mostly wetlands anyway and wasn’t able to be built on for the most part.

Roy

 

[Teegate]

plan for a Greenway from Wharton State Forest across the southern end of Medford and across Evesham Township. They are going to work with the townships, county and various state agencies to buy development rights through Open Space funds, Green Acres, etc. They specifically mention West Jersey Bog as being on the list to try to protect.

Roy

That area has some really nice places that need to be saved.

Guy

 

[PinesExplr]

Land Pres

Here it is. The person who posted (Raiden098) posted the link from the "recent items" folder which changes.

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=random&cat=10365&pos=-3224


I fixed the link on his post.

Guy

Ah, I did not notice the ref to 313 on that sign. I've gone as far as that sign - so it would seem the West Jersey Cranberry Meadows is 313 Land that has an additional license for bird hunting.

There are other yellow signs down the powerline easement, north of WJCM around what I now know is the Jobstown bogs. My property backs to this 313 land -- in fact this sign is on my property. Going south from my backyard, I'm about 100 yards from the Wharton boundry.

It would be nice to be able to hike or ride a bike the short distance over this 313 land into Wharton (legally), there are some decent trails/paths through the bogs. This sign (the hand written "Land Preservation 313" is faded on the Name line) - looks to forbid trespassing for any purpose.

I think I've also seen these signs posted off of Fairview, near Cranberry Pines School. Anybody ever heard of anybody getting prosecuted ? Maybe I can write to the 313 Corp for some limited permission.

 

[Teegate]

Most people especially if you are an adjacent property owner will allow you to walk across their property with permission. I would ask, tell them who you are and where you live, and see what happens. Ask for a name or a written letter.

Guy