08/28/2026
Maggie’s Point at Plainsboro Preserve Reopened
After several months of closure for improvements and environmental reforestation, Mayor Ed Yates cut the ribbon to officially reopen Maggie’s Point at the Plainsboro Preserve.
Mayor Yates and guest speakers highlighted the unique natural beauty of the Plainsboro Preserve and the special significance of Maggie’s Point, which was named in honor of Margaret Schaefer for her tireless advocacy of environmental causes and her love for the Preserve. Pictured from left to right are Chris Gammons of Colliers Engineering and Design (CED), former mayor Peter Cantu, Matt Bradley of CED, Mayor Ed Yates, Committeeman Neil Lewis and Henry Schaefer.
The restoration project was undertaken to protect and preserve this popular destination for future generations, while improving public access and enhancing the ecological health of the site. Working closely with the township, CED developed improvements that balanced environmental stewardship with visitor experience. The project included trail stabilization and reconstruction, shoreline protection measures to address erosion, native planting and reforestation efforts, habitat restoration, and enhancements designed to improve the long-term resilience of the peninsula and surrounding landscape.
The Plainsboro Preserve is a cooperative project between the Township of Plainsboro and Middlesex County. In 1999, 530 acres of land formerly owned by the Turkey Island Corporation and the Walker Gordon Laboratory Company were acquired jointly: Middlesex County purchased and owns 401 acres and provided a grant for the township to purchase an additional 126 acres. In 2003, the County acquired an additional 126 acres of the former Perrine Tract to expand the Preserve. The township has since added further acreage and currently maintains responsibility for the management of the County-owned portions.
Spanning over 1,000 acres, the Preserve supports a diverse array of habitats, the 50-acre McCormack Lake, and more than five miles of hiking trails for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts. The Township of Plainsboro manages the Preserve alongside the 6,500-square-foot Rush Holt Environmental Education Center, which provides year-round environmental education opportunities for the community.
Come visit the Preserve and Maggie’s Point!
