One of Essex County’s largest outdoor spaces is South Mountain Reservation, located across Millburn, West Orange, and South Orange and boasting about 2,110 acres of land along the Rahway River and nearly 20 miles of walking and hiking trails. Perhaps the most notable of these trails is the Fairy Trail, which sits on the edge of the reservation in Millburn and is home to 100 unique fairy homes visitors can spot from the trail. Keep reading to learn how the South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail came to be and what makes it special today.
About The Fairy Trail
For over a decade, delightful fairy houses have been mysteriously appearing along a half-mile stretch of the white-blazed Rahway Trail. In the early days, these charming creations were mainly the handiwork of a local artist and the Fairy Trail’s founder, Therese Ojibway.
Therese wanted her autistic son to have a safe place to discover and explore these mythical dwellings. The South Mountain Conservancy took notice, and when they learned of the intent, they allowed Therese to continue building her kingdom into what is now known as the Fairy Trail.
Read More: A Guide To The Essex County Parks System
Therese and her son have moved out of the area, but the Conservancy maintains the trail. Beth Kelly and Julie Gould are at the forefront as co-coordinators of the trail, managing the “fairy experience” portion. They believe the trail is uniquely magical, and as Beth said, “It is more than a path through the woods. The fairy houses are crafted with imagination and love. It is a fairy tale that comes to life.”
Maintaining The Trail
At the top of the list for maintaining the trail, visitors are asked to Leave No Trace: not adding fairy homes to the trail or constructing lean-tos or other structures as they disrupt the natural habitat, strip and compact the forest floor, and prevent seedlings from growing.
Additionally, Beth and Julie ask visitors to respect the fragile structures. While visitors can open most small doors to view interiors, they should be gentle with the houses and not remove any items. They also ask fairy seekers to stay on the path, where fairy homes are visible, to protect the bordering vegetation.
They also welcome the addition of new fairy houses, as long as they meet specific criteria and photos are submitted beforehand. Beth told The Montclair Girl, “There are wonderful benefits to making/building a Fairy House. Children are outside enjoying the natural environment, it gets them away from computer screens, encourages healthy, creative, and imaginative play, and best of all, it creates an opportunity to make memories and build connections.”
Visiting + Events
In addition to welcoming daily visitors, the Conservancy hosts an annual Fairy Tales at the Fairy Trail event every spring. The day is filled with activities at the reservation and on the trail, such as a scavenger hunt, storytelling, fairy house building, face painting, and searching for fairies. Those interested can join the South Mountain Fairy Trail Facebook group to stay connected.
Beth and Julie are proud of what the trail brings to the community. Beth said, “Whether you’re a child searching for adventure or an adult looking to recapture your inner child, the Fairy Trail is a unique and unforgettable experience. It is a journey that makes you feel like you are on a passage through a living storybook.”
See More: Where to Go Hiking Near Hoboken + Jersey City
When heading to the trail, search Locust Grove Parking Lot or 197 Glen Avenue, Millburn, in Maps. Both will lead to the parking lot where visitors can access the trailhead. Parking fills up quickly, but there are spots across the street if the lot is full. The trailhead starts to the left of the parking area along the Rahway Trail (white-blazed). A large Fairy Trail Welcome sign to the right greets visitors.
A Guide to Thrift Stores + Antique Shops in Montclair
While the idea of sustainability is certainly not new, the list of industries sharing their ethical practices and goals for reducing waste continues to grow. The second-hand marketplace for fashion, jewelry, and furnishings has existed for decades but is seeing a revival — especially in towns with a bustling arts scene, like Montclair. Whether antiquing has always been a hobby or minimizing the carbon footprint is top of mind, we’ve compiled a list of can't-miss spots. Read on for the list of thrift stores and antique shops to visit in Montclair, New Jersey.
Fashion + Accessories
2nd STREET Montclair | 10 South Park Street
2nd STREET first established itself in Japan in 1996. Today, the second-hand franchise has over 700 locations in Japan and the United States, with one being on South Park Street in Montclair. At 2nd STREET thrifters can find one-of-a-kind pieces in all sorts of styles and aesthetics. This spot "[has] unique items that can’t be found just anywhere," per its website.
Read More: A Trip to the Antique Village of Andover, New Jersey
Acorn General Store | 41 Church Street
Acorn General Store is a place "for busy, sustainably minded people who want to shop better so they can live better," co-owner Jacob Baccus shared with The Montclair Girl. Everything at this shop, which includes apparel, accessories, home goods, body care, gifts, and kids and pet toys, is vintage or artisan-made.
Connie’s Vintage Trunk | 220 Bloomfield Avenue
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Browsing through Connie’s Vintage Trunk is like scrolling through the decades. There are women’s dresses from as early as the 1920s and menswear dating back to the 1940s. At this spot, locals can find silk robes, embroidered kaftans, fur coats, and denim jumpsuits — it’s almost like a museum.
Genevieve’s Exclusive Vintage Collection | 10 Lackawanna Plaza
Genevieve's Exclusive Vintage Collection is a consignment shop selling designer vintage clothing, denim, outerwear, shoes, and accessories. With a commitment to sustainable fashion, the team behind this shop spends hours at a time searching and curating one-of-a-kind pieces. Locals can shop at this store in person or online.
Little Treasure Thrift Shop | 2 Maple Avenue
The store is a non-profit that provides the local community with clothing, office supplies, household goods, sturdy paper bags, artwork, and everything else in between. Montclairions can drop things off when the shop is open and transform what no longer serves them into someone else’s little treasure.
New Life Boutique | 182 Glenridge Avenue
New Life Boutique is an upscale consignment shop providing clothes, accessories, shoes, and more for women, men, and children. Montclair locals can find curated designer items, winter coats, and even vintage toys at this spot.
One Savvy Design Luxury Consignment | 629B Valley Road
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What began as a side business buying and refinishing furniture has now turned into a consignment store giving new life to used handbags and clothing. Gucci belts, Tom Ford sunglasses, Dior sneakers, and a Roberto Cavalli blouse can all be found here.
Toni's Closet | 73 South Fullerton Avenue
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Toni's Closet opened in 2020 as a part of Toni's Kitchen. With donations of gently used clothing, toys, and home items, the homeless, near-homeless, and low-income communities are able to shop for the items needed to ensure they can be met without judgment.
Home + Furnishings
Jerry’s Antiques + Estates | 229 Glenridge Avenue
This is a one-stop shop for lovers of vintage and eclectic goods. Selling and buying funky Christmas tree ornaments, designer handbags, antique furniture, and more, Jerry’s is a must-visit destination. This store can also help with estate sales planning or selling smaller quantities of family valuables.
See More: A Guide to Vintage + Thrift Stores in Hudson County
Montclair Antique Center | 34 Church Street
This antique heaven is a collection of pieces from over 50 dealers and it isn’t even the entire inventory. Inside this shop, locals will find such gems as a vintage leather Hermes watch, an upholstered chair from Italy circa 1900, a canvas oil painting from the 1800s, and a rare Picasso-original tapestry.
