Jungle Habitat - Today

Today

For years after it closed, the site's deteriorated buildings remained, and rumors of animals still roaming the property attracted curiosity seekers. Accounts of such explorations were published in Weird NJ magazine, and on its website.

The 800 acre (3.2 km²) Jungle Habitat property, containing 26 miles (42 km) of paved roads, was purchased by New Jersey for $1,450,000 in 1988. The property, adjacent to Norvin Green State Forest, is part of Long Pond Ironworks State Park and is administered by Ringwood State Park. In 2007, under the direction of Ringwood State Park, the Ramapo Valley Cycling Club (a chapter of the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association, also known as JORBA) performed a massive cleanup of the park, with 70 volunteers contributing. Brush was cleared and two dumpsters of trash were removed. Today, under the management of Ringwood State Park, JORBA is building single-track trails designed for shared, non-motorized use (bicycle, equestrian and foot traffic only). Currently, there are eleven to twelve miles of single-track trails on the land, with more being planned in 2008.

Negotiation is underway between West Milford and the State of New Jersey to lease the 10-acre (40,000 m2) macadam parking lot for recreational use. In recent years, the property been used to host West Milford township's Fourth of July celebrations (known as Thunder in the Highlands) under a special-use permit. In addition, a local bicycle shop also sponsors "Rumble in the Jungle," an annual mountain bike race. The area has become popular with dog walkers, mountain bikers, trail runners and equestrians.