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Around 2016, visitors to the trail began leaving their own structures, some of which were "crude" or made of plastic. Ojibway, in response, erected a sign on one of the houses, declaring that "Fairies Like: Acorns, pine cones, shells, flowers and pretty stones. Not plastic". The
Conservancy was also
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for the South
Mountain Reservation's Rahway Trail in hopes of creating a safe outdoor space for her young autistic son to be able to visit. After placing the initial structures on her own, the South Mountain Conservancy gave Ojibway official permission to continue the project. Ojibway did so,
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The approximately 80 fairy houses on the trail are made and repaired by volunteers. Trailkeepers encourage house creators to use natural materials that can decompose in the forest, and muted, natural colors. Visitors are asked not to disturb the existing structures or to add their own.
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displeased with the new structures, feeling that it violated the "take nothing, leave nothing" approach to the outdoors which the
Conservancy attempted to promote. They ultimately erected their own sign, asking visitors to only leave fairy houses made of natural materials.
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The trail attracted many visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, as an outdoor kid-friendly activity. The increase in visitors led to soil compaction and erosion on the path, and destruction of plant life along the path.
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The half-mile path is fairly flat, and is bordered with a rope fence to discourage hikers from trampling surrounding plant life.
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As of 2024, the South
Mountain Conservancy has proposed a plan to improve the trail by adding benches and a covered pavilion.
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Since 2022, the trail has been upkept by Julie Gould and Beth Kelly. In 2023, the trail hosted its first annual Fairy Day.
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The South
Mountain Fairy Trail was started by New Jersey artist Therese Ojibway in 2011. Ojibway began building
240:"She wanted a space for her son, who has autism, to explore nature. So, she created a whimsical fairy forest"
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205:"Thumbelina's Secret Architect, Creating Fairy Houses on a New Jersey Trail"
96:"She made a fairy trail for her autistic son; now it's a public destination"
295:"The South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail Is a Magical Place to Visit"
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39:" along the path. The trail is part of the mile-long Rahway Trail.
265:"Take A Photo Tour Of This Amazing 'Fairy Trail' In New Jersey"
150:"Why The New Jersey Fairy Trail Is Just Magical As It Sounds"
120:"Take a Magical Walk Through South Mountain's "Fairy Trail""
378:Sculpture gardens, trails and parks in New Jersey
175:"Wander New Jersey's South Mountain Fairy Trail"
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35:, named as such due to the many miniature "
52:creating around 30 fairy houses by 2015.
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16:Hiking path in Millburn, New Jersey
23:is a half-mile hiking path in the
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368:2011 establishments in New Jersey
238:O'Kane, Caitlin (2024-02-27).
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148:Ink, Maria Bou (2022-10-27).
293:Gordon, Julie (2024-03-18).
173:Szumel, Erika (2020-06-25).
263:Kiefer, Eric (2021-08-20).
203:George, Tara (2016-07-16).
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94:Free, Cathy (2024-03-28).
25:South Mountain Reservation
21:South Mountain Fairy Trail
269:West Orange, NJ Patch
373:Millburn, New Jersey
344:40.7275°N 74.3044°W
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100:The Washington Post
299:New Jersey Monthly
209:The New York Times
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362:Categories
335:74°18′16″W
332:40°43′39″N
304:2024-03-29
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219:2024-03-29
184:2024-03-29
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129:2024-03-29
105:2024-03-29
82:References
33:New Jersey
154:TheTravel
244:CBS News
29:Millburn
179:NJ MOM®
43:History
67:Trail
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