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The South Cape May Meadows Preserve, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), is a jewel among New Jersey's protected landscapes. Spanning over 200 acres adjacent to Cape May State Park, the preserve is celebrated for its diverse habitats, including beaches, dunes, freshwater wetlands, and fields. As a crucial stopover along the Atlantic Flyway, it offers refuge to rare and endangered shorebirds as well as native and migratory birds, making it a globally renowned paradise for birders. It also supports a wide variety of terrestrial species year-round.
The Preserve also has a variety of features aimed at enhancing visitor experience, promoting sustainability, and supporting its diverse wildlife. These features include a welcome shed with a green roof, a rain garden, purple martin houses, a raised wildlife viewing platform, an osprey platform with a streaming camera, benches, interpretive signs, and an 80-foot bird blind.


[gallery link="none" columns="4" ids="15545,15582,15554,15566"]

 
With its rich biodiversity, scenic beauty and unique features, the South Cape May Meadows Preserve is a site of high public interest and use, attracting approximately 90,000 visitors each year. To accommodate the high level of public interest and improve accessibility, TNC contracted Princeton Hydro to upgrade the existing path network to make it more physically accessible and to create new pathways that open up previously unreachable areas of the Preserve.
Given that much of the site is composed of freshwater wetlands, creating accessible pathways without disturbing these sensitive areas presented a unique challenge that required innovative solutions. To address this, the centerpiece of the project was the construction of an elevated boardwalk trail in the western area of the preserve. Slated for completion in September 2024, the new boardwalk will add 2,675 linear feet of elevated walking paths throughout the preserve, along with a 480-square-foot elevated viewing platform. The boardwalk will wind through previously inaccessible wetland areas and is designed to comply with ADA standards, ensuring that visitors of all abilities can explore and enjoy the preserve's unique maritime landscape.
Led by TNC, the Princeton Hydro team was responsible for designing, permitting, and overseeing construction for the project, with Renova serving as the primary construction partner. The images below are renderings and a mapped layout of the project site created by Landscape Architect Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP of Princeton Hydro, the lead project designer and project manager:
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15568,15569"]





Sustainable Construction Practices & Accessibility Enhancements
To minimize environmental impact during construction, the boardwalk is being installed using a top-down construction method. This approach required finding a product that could meet all design requirements while supporting the necessary equipment for construction from above. The project team selected GreenWalk™, a proprietary structure system manufactured by IDEAL Foundation Systems. GreenWalk™ is a highly engineered, modular, zero-maintenance boardwalk system that meets all of the project criteria while ensuring minimal disturbance to the wetland.
This video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the boardwalk installation process and the intricate work involved in bringing this accessible pathway to life. Watch now to see how we're making nature more accessible for everyone:
https://youtu.be/wSJeYM8ajPE
In addition to the boardwalk, the Princeton Hydro team designed and permitted several site improvements to enhance accessibility and visitor experience:
Existing trail surface types were assessed for sturdiness, and cost-effective measures were implemented to enhance accessibility. This included leveling the existing gravel and sandy portions of the Main and East trails and replacing them with a firmer, more stable surface.
[gallery link="none" ids="15581,15578,15580"]
Equipped with safety railing, handrails, seated observation areas, and educational signs in both braille and English print, the boardwalk is designed to provide support for people with accessibility considerations.
[gallery link="none" ids="15542,15535,15579"]


The existing parking lot was upgraded to include formal ADA spaces. One-third of the original stone parking lot was converted to concrete to improve accessibility.
These efforts ensure that the South Cape May Meadows Preserve remains an inclusive and ecologically sensitive destination, allowing all visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty and biodiversity of this unique maritime landscape.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15567,15526"]
Speroff emphasized that the boardwalk is more than just a pathway through nature; it symbolizes a collective commitment to protecting and celebrating the environment: “It stands as a reminder that we can create spaces that are both beautiful and functional, without compromising the health of our planet. By choosing sustainable materials and practices, we have set a standard for future projects in our community and beyond. Moreover, this boardwalk represents our pledge to inclusivity, going above and beyond the minimum standards for ADA compliance. We created a space where everyone, regardless of physical abilities, can enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings—a place where families can come together, individuals can find solitude, and nature can be experienced by all.”




Celebrating a New Chapter in Visitor Experience

On Sunday, August 4, TNC hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the South Cape May Meadows Preserve to unveil the new boardwalk trail and site enhancements. The event highlighted the significant strides made in increasing the preserve’s accessibility and offered attendees a preview of the new features, including four metal plaques with tactile elements and braille, showcasing nature themes like the life cycle of a butterfly and frog, turtle shells, and dragonflies.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15576,15546"]


Speeches were given by Barbara Brummer, State Director of The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey; Paulo Rodriguez Heyman, President of Renova; Mark Gallagher, Vice President of Princeton Hydro; and both the father and grandmother of Julian Tao Knipper. The Knipper family generously donated to the project in memory of Julian, who dearly loved Cape May and tragically passed away at the age of three. The project also honored Pat and Clay Sutton, esteemed educators, authors, naturalists, photographers, lecturers, nature tour leaders, and long-time champions for the protection of Cape May’s rich biodiversity. The new trail was officially dedicated to Julian, Pat and Clay.
[gallery columns="4" link="none" ids="15551,15559,15541,15536"]


Speroff expressed deep appreciation for the donors, stating, “The belief in this project and the willingness to invest in this vision made it possible to create a space that is accessible to all and harmonious with our natural surroundings. These contributions are not just financial; they are investments in the future of the Cape May community and our planet.”
It is essential to also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of those who made this project possible, creating a space where people of all abilities can enjoy nature, reflect, and find peace. Special thanks go to The Nature Conservancy, particularly Barbara Brummer, Eric Olsen, Damon Noe, Elliot Nagele, and the TNC project staff. The Renova Team's hard work and dedication were instrumental in bringing the one-of-a-kind boardwalk to life. Additionally, the design team, including IDEAL Foundation Systems, Bedford, L2A, and JBCI, played a crucial role in the project’s success. And, members of the Princeton Hydro team, especially Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP; Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E.; Ryan Eno, EIT; Ivy Babson; and Casey Pantaleo, P.E.
[gallery link="none" ids="15563,15544,15560,15547,15549,15552,15548,15562,15550"]



A Legacy of Collaboration
The Nature Conservancy and Princeton Hydro have a storied history of working on impactful projects together, from removing obsolete dams and opening up miles of river for fish passage to eradicating invasive species right here on this property. A few years ago, we designed the removal of Columbia Lake Dam, which reconnected 20 miles of stream, with American Shad returning to their native spawning grounds upstream just months after it was removed. And now, as this South Cape May Meadows Preserve project nears completion, we celebrate a project that offers everyone the chance to experience its natural beauty and biodiversity. This collaboration between Princeton Hydro and TNC underscores the importance of creating inclusive spaces that honor and protect our natural world.
Within the next few weeks, stay tuned for more updates and photos as we near completion on this exciting project, ensuring that the South Cape May Meadows Preserve remains a cherished destination for all who visit.
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The South Cape May Meadows Preserve, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), is a jewel among New Jersey's protected landscapes. Spanning over 200 acres adjacent to Cape May State Park, the preserve is celebrated for its diverse habitats, including beaches, dunes, freshwater wetlands, and fields. As a crucial stopover along the Atlantic Flyway, it offers refuge to rare and endangered shorebirds as well as native and migratory birds, making it a globally renowned paradise for birders. It also supports a wide variety of terrestrial species year-round.
The Preserve also has a variety of features aimed at enhancing visitor experience, promoting sustainability, and supporting its diverse wildlife. These features include a welcome shed with a green roof, a rain garden, purple martin houses, a raised wildlife viewing platform, an osprey platform with a streaming camera, benches, interpretive signs, and an 80-foot bird blind.


[gallery link="none" columns="4" ids="15545,15582,15554,15566"]

 
With its rich biodiversity, scenic beauty and unique features, the South Cape May Meadows Preserve is a site of high public interest and use, attracting approximately 90,000 visitors each year. To accommodate the high level of public interest and improve accessibility, TNC contracted Princeton Hydro to upgrade the existing path network to make it more physically accessible and to create new pathways that open up previously unreachable areas of the Preserve.
Given that much of the site is composed of freshwater wetlands, creating accessible pathways without disturbing these sensitive areas presented a unique challenge that required innovative solutions. To address this, the centerpiece of the project was the construction of an elevated boardwalk trail in the western area of the preserve. Slated for completion in September 2024, the new boardwalk will add 2,675 linear feet of elevated walking paths throughout the preserve, along with a 480-square-foot elevated viewing platform. The boardwalk will wind through previously inaccessible wetland areas and is designed to comply with ADA standards, ensuring that visitors of all abilities can explore and enjoy the preserve's unique maritime landscape.
Led by TNC, the Princeton Hydro team was responsible for designing, permitting, and overseeing construction for the project, with Renova serving as the primary construction partner. The images below are renderings and a mapped layout of the project site created by Landscape Architect Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP of Princeton Hydro, the lead project designer and project manager:
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15568,15569"]





Sustainable Construction Practices & Accessibility Enhancements
To minimize environmental impact during construction, the boardwalk is being installed using a top-down construction method. This approach required finding a product that could meet all design requirements while supporting the necessary equipment for construction from above. The project team selected GreenWalk™, a proprietary structure system manufactured by IDEAL Foundation Systems. GreenWalk™ is a highly engineered, modular, zero-maintenance boardwalk system that meets all of the project criteria while ensuring minimal disturbance to the wetland.
This video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the boardwalk installation process and the intricate work involved in bringing this accessible pathway to life. Watch now to see how we're making nature more accessible for everyone:
https://youtu.be/wSJeYM8ajPE
In addition to the boardwalk, the Princeton Hydro team designed and permitted several site improvements to enhance accessibility and visitor experience:
Existing trail surface types were assessed for sturdiness, and cost-effective measures were implemented to enhance accessibility. This included leveling the existing gravel and sandy portions of the Main and East trails and replacing them with a firmer, more stable surface.
[gallery link="none" ids="15581,15578,15580"]
Equipped with safety railing, handrails, seated observation areas, and educational signs in both braille and English print, the boardwalk is designed to provide support for people with accessibility considerations.
[gallery link="none" ids="15542,15535,15579"]


The existing parking lot was upgraded to include formal ADA spaces. One-third of the original stone parking lot was converted to concrete to improve accessibility.
These efforts ensure that the South Cape May Meadows Preserve remains an inclusive and ecologically sensitive destination, allowing all visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty and biodiversity of this unique maritime landscape.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15567,15526"]
Speroff emphasized that the boardwalk is more than just a pathway through nature; it symbolizes a collective commitment to protecting and celebrating the environment: “It stands as a reminder that we can create spaces that are both beautiful and functional, without compromising the health of our planet. By choosing sustainable materials and practices, we have set a standard for future projects in our community and beyond. Moreover, this boardwalk represents our pledge to inclusivity, going above and beyond the minimum standards for ADA compliance. We created a space where everyone, regardless of physical abilities, can enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings—a place where families can come together, individuals can find solitude, and nature can be experienced by all.”




Celebrating a New Chapter in Visitor Experience

On Sunday, August 4, TNC hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the South Cape May Meadows Preserve to unveil the new boardwalk trail and site enhancements. The event highlighted the significant strides made in increasing the preserve’s accessibility and offered attendees a preview of the new features, including four metal plaques with tactile elements and braille, showcasing nature themes like the life cycle of a butterfly and frog, turtle shells, and dragonflies.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15576,15546"]


Speeches were given by Barbara Brummer, State Director of The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey; Paulo Rodriguez Heyman, President of Renova; Mark Gallagher, Vice President of Princeton Hydro; and both the father and grandmother of Julian Tao Knipper. The Knipper family generously donated to the project in memory of Julian, who dearly loved Cape May and tragically passed away at the age of three. The project also honored Pat and Clay Sutton, esteemed educators, authors, naturalists, photographers, lecturers, nature tour leaders, and long-time champions for the protection of Cape May’s rich biodiversity. The new trail was officially dedicated to Julian, Pat and Clay.
[gallery columns="4" link="none" ids="15551,15559,15541,15536"]


Speroff expressed deep appreciation for the donors, stating, “The belief in this project and the willingness to invest in this vision made it possible to create a space that is accessible to all and harmonious with our natural surroundings. These contributions are not just financial; they are investments in the future of the Cape May community and our planet.”
It is essential to also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of those who made this project possible, creating a space where people of all abilities can enjoy nature, reflect, and find peace. Special thanks go to The Nature Conservancy, particularly Barbara Brummer, Eric Olsen, Damon Noe, Elliot Nagele, and the TNC project staff. The Renova Team's hard work and dedication were instrumental in bringing the one-of-a-kind boardwalk to life. Additionally, the design team, including IDEAL Foundation Systems, Bedford, L2A, and JBCI, played a crucial role in the project’s success. And, members of the Princeton Hydro team, especially Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP; Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E.; Ryan Eno, EIT; Ivy Babson; and Casey Pantaleo, P.E.
[gallery link="none" ids="15563,15544,15560,15547,15549,15552,15548,15562,15550"]



A Legacy of Collaboration
The Nature Conservancy and Princeton Hydro have a storied history of working on impactful projects together, from removing obsolete dams and opening up miles of river for fish passage to eradicating invasive species right here on this property. A few years ago, we designed the removal of Columbia Lake Dam, which reconnected 20 miles of stream, with American Shad returning to their native spawning grounds upstream just months after it was removed. And now, as this South Cape May Meadows Preserve project nears completion, we celebrate a project that offers everyone the chance to experience its natural beauty and biodiversity. This collaboration between Princeton Hydro and TNC underscores the importance of creating inclusive spaces that honor and protect our natural world.
Within the next few weeks, stay tuned for more updates and photos as we near completion on this exciting project, ensuring that the South Cape May Meadows Preserve remains a cherished destination for all who visit.
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