Located within Kettle Run, Tomlinson Mill, Kenilworth and Egret roads, the 835-acre Samost property in Evesham is part of the New Jersey Pinelands and contains the headwaters of the Black Run, an important freshwater tributary.
The Burlington County Commissioners and Evesham Township’s mayor and council have announced permanent preservation of an ecologically-sensitive property next to the Black Run Preserve.
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation announced this month a binding contract of sale with the owners of the 835-acre Samost property. Located within Kettle Run, Tomlinson Mill, Kenilworth and Egret roads, the property is part of the New Jersey Pinelands and contains the headwaters of the Black Run, an important freshwater tributary that feeds into the southwest branch of the Rancocas Creek. The property also contains critical habitat for numerous native plants and animal species.
The county is partnering with the foundation on the property’s acquisition by contributing $5 million of open-space funds toward the purchase. The county funding represents about a third of the $15-million acquisition.
The township is another partner that will ultimately take ownership of the property and incorporate it into the existing 1,300-acre Black Run Preserve.
“Preserving the Black Run Headwaters Property means water quality, critical plant and animal habitat – and the overall ecological integrity of the area – will be protected for generations to come,” said the foundation’s Robyn Jeney. “This effort is a testament to the conservation values of the property owners, who have been a pleasure to work with.”
A possible regional trail connection to the Black Run Preserve was analyzed and recommended in the Southern Regional Trails Feasibility Study the county recently completed. The 251-page document describes possible routes, objectives, benefits, challenges, projected costs and available funding mechanisms to expand the county’s trail network through Evesham and seven other towns in central and southern Burlington County.
The full report is available online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/23227/Southern-Regional-Trails-Feasibility-Report/January-23-2026.
