Take in the fresh forest air while conserving the history of this land for future generations. The 34-acre Brenner-Penfield Emmaus Preserve is one of four convenient retreats connecting the Emmaus community to South Mountain. Together with the Borough of Emmaus’s South Fourth Street Recreation Area and Shelter House property, there are nearly 50 acres of open space out here to enjoy.
The Brenner-Penfield Emmaus Preserve and 4th Street Recreation Area offer 1.5 miles of trails for hiking, biking, trail running, birding, and exploring.
Charcoal Trail | 0.4 mile | Moderate
Towering oaks and tulip trees stand tall along the rocky hillside, while numerous charcoal flats, flattened areas where early colonists made charcoal, can be seen from this loop trail.
Foundry Trail | 0.6 mile | Difficult
This winding loop trail takes users near remnants of an old foundry while passing through a variety of habitats.
Oley Path | 0.5 mile | Difficult
Walk along sections of an ancient indigenous path on this half-mile loop.
This forested habitat connects to the larger South Mountain landscape and supports a wide diversity of species including deer and foxes. The habitat supports endangered bat and many bird species, including Baltimore oriole, pileated woodpeckers, veery, black-throated blue warblers, worm-eating warblers, and ovenbirds.
These woodlands are abundant with ferns, tall tulip trees, and spring ephemerals like mayapples. Speckled throughout are glacial boulders.
Two very visionary people, Merrill and Nancy Brenner, helped realize the Brenner-Penfield Emmaus Preserve you are visiting today.The local couple long wanted to conserve land for future generations, and partnering with Wildlands Conservancy, their wish for a public preserve legacy came true. The lands they helped permanently protect offer a tucked-away retreat for the region. The Brenners hope their actions inspire others to do their part to restore and sustain the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed.
Penfield, Nancy’s maiden name, doubles to honor her father, a Pennsylvanian and proud parent of five daughters who deeply appreciated nature. The couple has called the Lehigh Valley home since the mid-1970s.Their namesake also supported Brenner-Penfield Macungie Mountain, another Wildlands Conservancy nature preserve located nearby.
One special trail predates this land’s purpose of a nature preserve – the Oley Path was used by early, Lenape people to transport jasper to the Lehigh and Delaware rivers. Walk that same trail today, and your footsteps will become part of this special history, ensuring it is honored and shared for generations to come.
– Preserve is open from dawn to dusk
– No motor vehicles or horses
– Be respectful of neighbors and private property
– Do not damage, disturb, or harm any plants, wildlife, or geology
– No collecting of these natural resources
– Do not dump or litter; carry out all trash
– Pets must be leashed, under control at all times, and cleaned up after
– Be respectful of others using the property; quiet increases the chances of viewing wildlife
– No grafitti
– No glass containers
– No camping or fires
– No alcohol, illegal drugs, or weapons
– Stay on trails
– No hunting or trapping
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