The Oscar E. Olsen Park consists of the largest remaining open space in Bogota and should be considered it’s crown jewel.

Oscar E Olsen Park

It was built on former swampland adjacent to the Hackensack River.  A lot of work has been done to this park since I last walked around it.  The first thing that greeted me as soon as I got out of my car was this bald eagle flying over the Hackensack River.

Bald Eagle over Hackensack River

When I visited there was still a lot of snow. Even the infamous “bridge to nowhere” was covered. The bridge to nowhere is a raised boardwalk right next to the Hackensack River.  A lot of people thought it was a waste of tax payer money when it was built.

It may lead to nowhere but you can see some cool views like the submarine USS Ling:

USS Ling with Bergen County Courthouse in background

Plus the Meadowlands Commission added some signs o’education on the bridge. And don’t worry-the signs themselves are not blurry, just this picture.

There is a pathway which extends from the bridge that encircles the park. It’s a pretty cool park to explore.

Directions: 

From NYC: Go West over the George Washington Bridge; Route 4 west; get off at the exit for River Road just before the bridge over the Hackensack River.  Head south on River Road.  At the junction with West Main Street on the left, turn right.  On the left is an entrance for the park.