Project Description
Burlington County’s Crystal Lake Park is a 370-acre preserved farm in Mansfield, NJ comprised of rolling fields, a beautiful lake, woodlands and ravines. Clay was historically mined for brickmaking, leaving eroded ravines impacting Crystal Lake.
Prime consultant Taylor Design Group led a team from conceptual design through construction administration for this $2.6 million project that reflects the site’s agricultural vernacular.
The Park creates trailheads and multi-use trails as part of the Delaware River Heritage Trail, with restrooms, pavilion, and information kiosk; accented by brick pavements paying homage to the site history.
Equestrian facilities include trailer parking, hitching rails, and a unique mounting ramp allowing riders of all ages, sizes and physical abilities to mount horses of all sizes! Typical designs bring the rider up ramps to fixed platforms; this solution keeps the rider at-grade on a sidewalk; the horse moves downslope to the perfect height, providing infinite mounting heights.
Tall Fescue trails and buffers separate farming from hikers while slowing and filtering stormwater runoff from fields; reducing erosion and improving water quality in the Lake.
Improved woodland trails meander through mature forest while rustic footbridges cross streams, and footprint-etched plank walkways facilitate hikers crossing wetlands.
