Metuchen historic landmark to be rededicated Sunday

• The trough dates back more than 100 years.

METUCHEN - The Woodwild Park horse trough, a landmark in the borough for more than a century, has gotten a much needed makeover.

"I love Metuchen and I love history," said resident Richard Miller, treasurer of the Woodwild Park Association, who spearheaded a fundraiser to restore the antique trough. "I love preservation and this is part of the borough's rich history."

The horse trough, which stands on a triangle on Oak Avenue and Middlesex Avenue (Route 27)  will be rededicated at 1 p.m. Sunday.

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The triangle is part of Woodwild Park, an undeveloped 3.5 acre public park and sanctuary. Located between Middlesex,Oak and East Chestnut avenues, the park is managed by the nonprofit Woodwild Park Association, which was founded in 1897 and currently has about 50 members, Miller said.

In 1900, Middlesex Water Company was offering free municipal water from these fountains, Miller said.

"The borough didn't want it, so Charles Corbin, the founder of Metuchen Savings Bank, whose brother was the president of Middlesex Water Company, agreed to put the fountain on his land," he said.

Miller said the big bowl in the front of the trough was for horses, a small bowl at the bottom was for dogs and a bowl in the back was for humans.

Eventually the water was cutoff and in the 1950s the fountain, which was close to the curb, was moved back on the property.

In 1980, the fountain was restored , but Miller said "over time it started to deteriorate."

Miller got involved with the project after noticing the grounds were in desperate need of care. In 2005, he took on the task of maintaining the site.

In addition, he joined the garden club, which seasonally changes the flowers in the bowl. He also joined the Woodwild Park Association.

About two year ago he sounded the alarm about the trough's need to be restored. .

"It was rusting badly," he said.

About a year ago, the association, which relies on members’ dues to pay all costs, including annual insurance fees and maintenance, formed a fundraising committee, under the leadership of chair Nancy Zerbe. The group's goal was $60,000.

"Besides restoring the horse trough, the fundraiser would cover the cost to replace an old, slate sidewalk, which is in terrible shape and restore an eroded driveway to preserve the pillars that stand at the entrance to the park," Miller said.

Miller said the association also is hoping to raise enough to have a reserve in the event of an emergency, as well as plant some native plants at the site and eradicate some of the non native invasive plants.

Raising funds for the project has been a community effort, he added.

The Metuchen Arts Council hosted its "Art in the Garden" event last year at Woodwild Park, with proceeds from the event benefiting the project. In addition, the Borough Improvement League held an auction of donated art work from artists, which were auctioned off. Proceeds from that also went to Woodwild.

The association also received a donation from Metuchen Savings Bank,  as well as large and small donations from individuals and a few other businesses. Miller said a plaque will be placed at the park with the names of those who donated $1,000 or more.

The Metuchen Department of Public Works also pitched in by putting a new pad down where the trough stands.

Bids were solicited for the trough's restoration and Robinson Iron in Alexander City, Alabama, was selected to do the job. The trough was picked up in December and was returned to the borough on April 12.

"They disassembled it, sandblasted it and repaired it," he said. "It looks fantastic."

Miller said the restoration of the trough, which was acknowledged with a state preservation award, is just the first phase of the project.

The group has raised about $28,000 of its $60,000 goal and the fundraising is continuing.

"We did meet our goal to restore the horse trough, but we still need more if people want to donate," he said.

Additional information is available at www.woodwildpark.org.

Staff Writer Susan Loyer: 732-565-7243; sloyer@gannettnj.com