Oldman’s Creek Preserve

The Oldman’s Creek Preserve was the first parcel of preserved land owned outright by the South Jersey Land & Water Trust. This 39-acre property in Auburn, NJ, was preserved in 2009 through the combined efforts of the NJDEP Green Acres Program, NJDEP Office of Natural Resources Restoration, Conservation Resources Inc., and New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

The property features 3,000 feet of stream frontage along Oldman’s Creek, significant old-growth forest, nature and hiking trails, a 1790s-era homestead, an historic log cabin and a post-and-beam barn.

The property was formerly used as a summer residence for the Selack family from 1913 to 1938, then as Boy Scout Camp Kimble from 1938-1967. The MacKannan family purchased the property in 1967 and operated their family enterprise, the Auburn Hills Campground, until 1982. The MacKannan family’s vision for seeing the property preserved forever was the impetus for the acquisition of the land by the South Jersey Land & Water Trust.

The preservation of a property often leads to the preservation of contiguous and surrounding properties; the South Jersey Land & Water Trust hopes that the Oldman’s Creek Preserve serves as an example for the future preservation of more parcels of land in this area of South Jersey.

The South Jersey Land & Water Trust’s Oldmans Creek Preserve is located at 21 Main Street/Auburn-Pointers Rd., Swedesboro, NJ 08085.

• From Route 40 east: Continue on Rte. 40 and turn left on Pointer’s Auburn Road (CR-646) go 3.0 miles and continue on Main Street for 0.4 mile. The house is on
  the left.
• From Route 40 west: Pass through Woodstown and turn right on Pointer’s Auburn Road (CR- 646) go 3.0 miles and continue on Main Street for 0.4 mile. The house is on the left.
• From Route 55: Take US-322 towards Mullica Hill. Turn left on S Main Street (Rt 45), go 0.2 mile. Turn right on High St., go 3.1 miles. Bear right on Franklinville Rd (CR-538), go 1.2 miles. Bear left on CR-666, go 0.6 mile. Bear left on Auburn Rd (CR-551), go 3.4 miles. Continue on Main St., the house is on the right.
• From I-295: Take exit #10 Center Square Road towards Swedesboro, turn right onto Auburn Road (CR-551), go 2.4 miles. Continue on Main St., the house is on the right.

THE PRESERVE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM DAWN TO DUSK FOR ACTIVITIES COMPATIBLE WITH THE QUIET ENJOYMENT OF THE PRESERVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION. PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES LISTED BELOW TO PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THIS SPECIAL PLACE AS WELL AS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ANY INJURY WHILE ENJOYING THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THIS UNIQUE HABITAT. PLEASE CARRY OUT ANYTHING THAT YOU CARRY IN TO THE PRESERVE.

1. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

2. NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ALLOWED BEYOND THE PRESERVE DESIGNATED PARKING AREA

3. NO HUNTING OR FISHING 

4. NO CAMPING

5. NO FIRES

6. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

7. NO LITTERING

8. NO BICYCLING OR SLEDDING 

9. CANOES AND KAYAKS MAY BE PUT INTO THE CREEK AT THE PRESERVE LANDING, BUT MUST BE PORTAGED IN BY HAND OR BY HAND-PULLING ON WHEELS.