On December 4, 2011, Watershed Advocacy group Bergen SWAN (Save the Watershed Action Network) teamed with naturalist Nancy Slowik to host the first ever Emerson Woods nature walk. Once targeted for intense development, the woods are now preserved and help protect the Oradell Reservoir from non-point source pollution.
Emerson Woods and Oradell Reservoir
Bergen SWAN played a major role in preserving Emerson Woods. Bergen SWAN has fought for almost 24 years to help preserve the remaining forests surrounding upper Bergen County’s reservoirs. The most recent settlement occurred in 2009 with United Water. United Water manages the Oradell, Lake Tappan and Woodcliff Lake Reservoirs in Bergen County. After 5 years of negotiations with Bergen SWAN & the Hackensack Riverkeeper, United Water agreed to granting conservation easements on 3,100 watershed acres to the NJDEP in addition to setting aside $1 million to assist in acquiring and preserving additional land along the Hackensack River and its tributaries. United Water has since become a close ally of Bergen SWAN by helping to sponsor events such as the 2010 “Planting in the Park” in Pascack Brook County Park and allowing Bergen SWAN to host the December 4th nature walk on United Water watershed land-land which is normally not open to the general public.
Nature Tour
Emerson Woods Nature Tour
The tour, led by naturalist Nancy Slowik, started in the United Water recreation parking lot near Lakeview Terrace in Emerson, NJ. Once the group was organized, Bergen SWAN opened up the gate to the Oradell Reservoir providing a rare opportunity to walk along the shore of the reservoir. Nancy directed the tour to the waterfowl present on the open water of the reservoir. Double-crested Cormorant were seen in addition to Hooded Mergansers.
Double Crested Cormorant
Heading away from the shore, the tour passed a stand of American Sycamore with their white peeling bark.
American Sycamore
Early settlers used to make buttons out of American Sycamore seedpods. The “button” is found inside the seedpod. This practice created another name for the American Sycamore: the Buttonwood Tree. Nancy pointed out Poison Ivy growing on a dead hemlock tree. Members of the tour were advised to never touch the hairy vine of Poison Ivy as you can still get a painful itchy rash even in winter.
Poison Ivy Rope on Dead Hemlock Tree
Palmolive dish washing liquid was recommended as an inexpensive cure for poison ivy. The tour then led participants up a gas line right of way for about ¼ a mile.
Along the way, White-Tail deer were seen browsing in the woods west of the right of way.
White Tail Deer
As the group proceeded on, Nancy pointed out large rectangular holes found on a dead tree.
Up ahead on the gas trail was a stand of Northern Red Oak with its characteristic “ski slope” bark. Nancy informed the tour that when a northern red oak gets cut it admits a foul odor.
Northern Red Oak
Shortly before turning west onto the Heck Ditch trail, the group happened upon a White Pine plantation.
White Pine Plantation
White pines make excellent habitat for Great Horn Owls and other birds of prey which frequent Emerson Woods.
Possible Hawk or Owl nest in White Pine
Cones of White Pine are sticky with the seeds found inside. Native Americans used to chew on White Pine needles to obtain Vitamin C.
Heck Ditch
As the group passed the Heck Ditch Nancy pointed out that the oily looking water surface of the ditch was caused by bacteria decomposing leaves.
Ground Pine
Ground Pine was found growing in large colonies on the other side of the Heck ditch trail. Ground Pine takes years to become established.
Scouring Rush near Cotton Wood Tree
After walking for about 15-20 minutes on the Heck Ditch trail, the tour headed south on the Equisetum trail which leads back to the United Water Recreating parking lot. Along the way, Nancy pointed out large growths of equisetum growing near massive Cottonwood trees. This collection of equisetum is thought to consist of the largest stand in New Jersey. Equisetum are members of an ancient order of plants and appeared well before the appearance of the first flowering plants. Equisetum was known to early settlers as “Scouring Rush”-a name given for its ability to clean and scrub pots and pans.
Giant Cottonwood
The group headed back to the parking lot as twilight descended. As we walked, we happened upon an abandoned red-eye vireo nest. The red-eye vireo spends the winter living in South America.
The group proceeded to the parking area and the tour concluded.
Emerson Woods Preserve
A special thanks to Bergen SWAN and Nancy Slowik for offering the opportunity to explore Emerson Woods in great detail. For more information on Bergen SWAN click here.
The Emerson Woods Preserve are accessible from off of Main Street in Emerson or Lakeview Drive. Ample parking is available on Summer Street. Be sure to check out Bergen SWAN if you wish to participate in nature walks, community clean-ups and educational events in Emerson Woods.
Twinney Park, located off of Red Birch Court, has Valleau Cemetery to the southeast, Franklin Turnpike to the North and dense residential development to the south and west. Ridgewater Water, which supplies water to an estimated 65,000 residents in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff has Twinney Well located to the east of the park.
Ridgewood Water Dept Twinney Well
Twinney Park’s three acres consist of remnant deciduous woodlands and freshwater wetlands. The focal point of the park is Twinney Pond. Twinney Pond, at almost an acre, is a figure eight shaped freshwater body of water created from glaciers.
Twinney Pond
Trail
Twinney Pond Trail Map
A rough trail encircles the pond. Occasionally the path is laden with woodchips. The trail goes through upland and freshwater wetland habitat.
Mallards and Ducklings on Twinney Pond
Twinney Pond is home to Mallards, Wood Ducks and other waterfowl. American Bullfrogs and Green frogs can be heard seasonally. The surrounding remnant woodland is home to countless eastern chipmunks and eastern gray squirrels as well as other mammals.
Flora
The pond and woodlands features a nice diversity of flora including:
American Beech
White Pine
Swamp White Oak
Red Oak (NJ’s State Tree)
False Solomon's Seal
The park is open from dusk to dawn. It is absolutely amazing to find a natural pond teeming with wildlife in such a built up area. Click here for directions.
Do you have a special memory or additional information regarding Twinney Park? Comment below or e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com
Signs of spring have been slowly showing since the end of February when Skunk Cabbage flowers started to make an appearance.
Skunk Cabbage Flowers
And since the winter of 2010-2011 was an especially snowy and cold one, I thought it was important to show by way of photography how nature is renewing itself. Enjoy the spring photography tour!
Dutchman Breeches in Franklin Lakes Lorrimer Sanctuary
Dwarf Ginseng in Ridgewood's Grove Park
False Hellebore Sprouting in Ridgewood's Grove Park
Vernal Pond in Pequannock's Cherry Street Park
Trout Lilies carpeting floor of Hackensack's Borg's Woods
Spicebush blooming in Hackensack's Borg's Woods with understory of Skunk Cabbage
Pink Lady Slipper at Silas Condict County Park Kinnelon, NJ
Feel free to e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com with any comments, memories or suggestion! Thank you and have fun exploring!
Englewood’s Flat Rock Nature Preserve consists of 150 acres of second growth woodland, wetlands, meadows, gardens and ponds and nature building managed by Flat Rock Nature Association, a non-profit organization which hosts educational programs. 75 acres of the preserve are city owned Green Acres lands and 75 acres consist of the former Allison Woods Park which officially became part of Flat Rock Nature Preserve in 1988.
William O. Allison Memoriam
The preserve is surrounded on the north, south and west by dense residential housing. Englewood Cliffs is to the east of the preserve. Flat Rock Nature Preserve is a remnant section of a once massive hardwood forest on the western palisades. This forest remained intact until about 1859 when large scale logging occurred to provide railroad ties for the northern railroad which had extended into Englewood. Overtime, the forest grew back on land that was to become the Flat Rock Nature Preserve.
Flat Rock Brook Forest
Over the years, several development proposals threatened the forest. In 1900, a few acres of the future nature preserve experienced quarrying which occurred until 1925. Today, the staging area of the quarry is the present day parking area of the nature center. A handicap accessible .1 of a mile boardwalk, constructed in 1989, goes near cliffs that were exposed during the quarry operations.
Quarry Boardwalk
Quarry Boardwalk Trail
Around 1907, a huge cemetery was proposed for the woods of Flat Rock but was declined by the city due to the land being unsuited for this purpose. In 1927 Paterno Construction Company bought land in the future preserve in order to construct residential development. Roads were constructed throughout Flat Rock’s forest. Construction of the houses was soon to follow but the great depression occurred effectively canceling the development. The roads became the foundation of the present trails found in the nature preserve. Over the next few decades new development threats came and went but the woods remained.
In 1968, the citizens of Englewood voted to approve a city bond issue to acquire and preserve the remaining open land in Englewood. In 1973, the organization that would become Flat Rock Nature Preserve was formed to manage the preserved open space.
Flat Rock Brook
Flat Rock Brook
Flat Rock flows into the preserve from the north. The brook is a tributary of the Overpeck Creek (Flat Rock’s confluence with the Overpeck Creek is just south of the border between Englewood and Leonia) which is a tributary of the Hackensack River. Flat Rock Brook is classified as FW2-NT (Fresh water, non-trout). The water quality has been designated as poor as indicated by the variety and number of sampled invertebrates. The water quality was tested by the Flat Rock Brook Nature Association which formed a stream study team to evaluate the health of Flat Rock. Recently, the Flat Rock Brook Nature Association received a grant of $9, 625 to help restore Flat Rock Brook by encouraging native plant species and removing invasive exotic plants. The grant was received from the Watershed Institute.
Killifish in Flat Rock Brook
Flat Rock Ponds
Flat Rock Brook Nature Preserve features two ponds, Quarry Pond and MacFadden’s Pond.
Turtles in Quarry Pond
Quarry Pond is located to the south of the preserve near the nature center’s building. Quarry Pond has not been dredged since the 1970s. Sediment from nearby trails have been filling in the pond causing decreasing oxygen levels. Duckweed, an aquatic plant, has taken over the pond. In the fall of 2010, city officials voted to use funds from an unused 2007 bond ordinance to dredge the pond. If the pond does not get dredged, it will disappear and become a marshland which seems to be the fate of MacFadden’s Pond. MacFadden’s Pond is found in the northern area of the preserve. The pond was formed by the damming of Flat Rock Brook as it enters the preserve from the north.
MacFadden's Pond
The city of Englewood approved a dredging project for the pond in 2007 but when the cost to dredge the pond was found to be more than a million dollars, the dredging plan was canceled.
Trails
Red Trail
In addition to the quarry boardwalk, the preserve features over three miles of trails. The red trail is the longest at 1.2 miles and traverses the heart of the preserve and helps to connect Macfadden’s Pond with the nature center. The white trail, at .6 encircles the nature center and goes through gardens and around Quarry Pond. The .6 orange trail traverses in the western section of the preserve near Flat Rock.
Orange Trail
The yellow trail goes over a mystery bridge (called a mystery because the bridge appeared mysteriously one weekend) near Macfadden pond and back to the red trail. Click here for a trail map.
Mystery Bridge
Flora and Fauna
The preserve features flora such as:
Red Maple
Chestnut Oak
Witch Hazel
Jack in the Pulpit
Spicebush
Milkweed
For Fauna,
White Tail Deer, painted turtles, eastern gray squirrels, wild turkeys and eastern chipmunks have been observed among others.
Eastern Chipmunk
The preserve is open for hiking seven days a week from dawn to dusk. Click here for directions.
Feel free to e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com with any comments, memories or suggestion! Thank you and have fun exploring!
Welcome to the Poplar Road Wildlife Sanctuary! The preserve has Poplar Road to the north, Lake Tappan to the east, Cherry Brook flowing to the west and the confluence of Cherry Brook and the Hackensack River to the south.
Poplar Road Nature Sanctuary with Lake Tappan Dam and confluence of Cherry Brook with Hackensack River
The sanctuary consists of 18 acres of White Pine plantation, upland, wetlands and a meadow with beautiful views of the Lake Tappan Reservoir.
Lake Tappan
The 1,255 acre Lake Tappan Reservoir (formed by impounding the Hackensack River via the Lake Tappan dam in 1966) is owned and operated by United Water.
The 18 wooded acres were part of a 44 acre tract of woods known as the River Vale Woods. The 44 acres were once part of United Water’s watershed buffer but were later sold to developers who planned to turn the 44 wooded acres into high density dwellings. On December 23, 2002, after six years of wrangling, 18 of the 44 acres were bought by the township of River Vale using grants and loans from the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund, NJ Green Acres and the Bergen County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. In 2010, 11 wooded acres off of Stanley Place near the sanctuary were preserved and will be part of the 18 acres of thePreserve bringing the total acreage to 29. An additional 5 acres (which contain a section of Cherry Brook) were purchased by the Township earlier in 2010. The remaining 10 acres, which are located across the street from the Poplar Road Nature Sanctuary were clear cut for a townhouse development in the summer of 2010.
Trails
Poplar Road Sanctuary Trailmap
After parking, proceed through the gate of the Poplar Road Nature Sanctuary towards the kiosk which is stored with informational brochures during the warmer months provided by Bergen SWAN.
Kiosk in White Pine Plantation
From the kiosk, head west through a White Pine plantation which is in the final stages of succession. As time progresses and more of the White Pines succumb to storms and other natural conditions, hardwood forest trees such as Sugar Maple will take the White Pine tree place.
White Pine Plantation
Follow the trail south to the Cherry Brook floodplain. Information signage regarding Sugar Maple and Tulip Tree may be found on the right of the trail near a chain link fence which separates the sanctuary from United Water watershed land. Turn left after skirting a brief wetland area and head east towards Lake Tappan. This section of the trail divides the White Pine plantation from the established hardwood forest.
Trail
Straight ahead is a meadow and views of Lake Tappan.
Poplar Nature Sanctuary Meadow
The meadow is a managed grassland that is periodically mowed to prevent it from becoming a forest via succession. Leaving the meadow, head north via a United Water service road and then take a left heading west back through the White Pine plantation to the kiosk to complete the hike.
Flora that may be found in the sanctuary include:
Red Maple
Sugar Maple
White Pine
American Beech
Sassafras
Smooth Sumac
Virginia Creeper
Hay-Scented Fern
Jewelweed
Fauna observed at the sanctuary and in the nearby watershed include
From Exit 5 off the Palisades Interstate Parkway head south on Route 303; turn left (west) onto Oak Tree Road; follow it around to make a left turn (west) onto Washington Street/Old Tappan Road; turn right onto Washington Avenue north (heading northeast); follow it around to a curved turn left onto Poplar Road. The parking area is a short ways down on the left (south side) of the road.
Feel free to e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com with any comments, memories or suggestion! Thank you and have fun exploring!
Teaneck Creek Conservancy (TCC) is a 46 acre urban forested wetland located in Teaneck, NJ. The conservancy has created a natural masterpiece by blending the perfect mixture of artwork with nature. Artwork may appear around the corner on any of TCC’s nature trails such as this wooden turtle (carved from a Black Locust tree trunk) which may be found on the blue trail.
Turtle carved from Black Locust Tree Trunk
Artwork greets you as soon as you arrive in the parking lot of the Puffin Cultural Forum.
Puffin Sculpture Park
Artwork in the Puffin Sculpture Park
More Artwork in the Puffin Sculpture Park
The park is bordered to the north by Fycke Lane, DeGraw Avenue to the south, Teaneck Road to the west and Teaneck Creek to the east. The park is owned by Bergen County and managed by the Teaneck Creek Conservancy.
Teaneck Creek Conservancy
TCC was founded in 2001 by the Puffin Foundation after red survey flags were found on the woodland in back of the building at 20 Puffin Way in Teaneck, NJ. After discovering that the property was owned by the County of Bergen, TCC signed a long term licensing agreement with the county to allow it to develop the property into a park. The conservancy applied and received $500,000 from NJ Green Acres, $450,000 from Bergen County Parks Department and Open Space Trust Fund, $50,000 from the Puffin Foundation and $300,000 from the NJ Wetlands Mitigation Council to form trails, site improvements and wetland hydrology analysis. Teaneck Creek Conservancy became part of Bergen County’s Overpeck Park system in July of 2004 and opened up to the public on May 7, 2006.
The 1.5 mile Teaneck Creek, for which TCC is named, is a tributary of Overpeck Creek which in turn is a tributary of the Hackensack River.
Teaneck Creek
There are two tributaries of Teaneck Creek found in the conservancy.
Tributary stream confluence with Teaneck Creek
95% of Teaneck Creek’s watershed is urban which causes flash hydrology during storm events. Flash hydrology consists of the rapid movement of water through Teaneck’s storm system into Teaneck Creek, followed by a rapid elevation of water height, accelerated water flows and then a rapid return to low flow water levels. Flash hydrology can destabilize the stream channel by erosion of the stream banks.
Despite Teaneck Creek’s poor water quality due to non-point source pollution, the creek and surrounding wetlands and woodlands host a large diversity of wildlife. Wildlife that have been observed at TCC include snapping turtles, mallards, killifish, green frogs, bullfrogs, eastern box turtle, great egret, blue heron, red fox and white-tail deer.
Killifish
Female Mallard & Ducklings in Teaneck Creek
Wetland Restoration
Degraded Wetlands
The 46 acres which comprise Teaneck Creek Conservancy experienced degradation from dumping and filing of debris in the 1960’s during construction of the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 80. The dumping of debris caused degradation in TCC’s wetlands by cutting off the historic hydrology to Teaneck Creek causing the wetlands to act more as a perched bog rather than a functioning riparian wetland. A Conceptual Wetland Restoration Plan was developed for the preserve after three years of study by Rutgers University, United States Geologic Survey and TRC Omni. The restoration plan essentially breaks the 46 acres into four sections (Section A, B, C & D). Each section will have its own restoration plan based upon existing soil, vegetation and hydrology.
A, B, C & D Restoration Areas
Section A consists of 9 acres and is located in the northeastern section of the preserve near Fycke Lane. Section A consists of the highest quality forested wetlands remaining in Teaneck Creek Conservancy. Analysis of the soil indicates that the 9 acres have remained unchanged for the past two to three hundred years. The goal for this area is to maintain the existing conditions and protect the 9 acres from future negative environmental impacts that may occur.
Section B, at 15 acres is located in the heart of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy. A prominent feature of Section B is a body of water known as Dragonfly Pond whose water comes directly from storm water runoff from nearby Teaneck Road.
DragonFly Pond
Dragonfly pond is surrounded by large stands of Common Reed. The goal for Section B is to leave existing stands of Common Reed near the pond and prevent its spread by planting native shade trees. Common Reed, though invasive, is useful in removing excess nutrients and sequestering contaminants from water. In addition, given the source of water for Dragonfly Pond, the area is prone to drought conditions in the summer months. Under drought conditions, obligate wetland plants such as Skunk Cabbage cannot survive.
While invasive plants such as Garlic Mustard and mile-a-minute vine are found throughout Teaneck Creek Conservancy’s 46 acres, they are especially plentiful in the 14 acre Section C and 8 acre section D.
Mile-a-minute-weed and 1st year Garlic Mustard rosettes
Section C and D are located in the southeast and southwest section of the park respectively. These areas of the park historically received the largest amount of disturbance during the construction of Route 80 and the NJ Turnpike. The soil consists primarily of debris. Only pockets of native vegetation remain in the 8 acre section D. The restoration plan for section D indicates that 5-6 acres will be clear cut and reconfigured into a series of freshwater wetlands. 3 upland native wooden acres will be spared. In Section C, a large clay berm was constructed in past wetland management efforts to help stem flooding from Teaneck Creek. Restoration efforts call for the clay berm to be broken so that water will be able to flow and pool creating new freshwater wetland habitat naturally.
It is hoped that 20 new forested freshwater wetlands will be created from the Conceptual Wetland Restoration Plan for the Teaneck Creek Conservancy.
Mallards on Teaneck Creek
Trails
Teaneck Creek Conservancy Trail Map
Teaneck Creek Conservancy features 3 trails. All trails are nearly flat. Blazes are created in the shape of a turtle and are colored and numbered. Trail maps are available near the entrance by the parking lot for the Puffin Cultural Forum. Click here for a map of Teaneck Creek Conservancy from Bergen County’s Overpeck County Park webpage.
Red Trail
The handicapped accessible red trail is .65 of a mile, the woodchip lined blue trail is .27 of a mile and the rustic green trail is .38 of a mile. The red trail traverses the preserve from DeGraw Avenue to Fycke Lane. Part of the red trail includes the historic public service trolley route which was in service from 1899-1938. The public service trolley route connected Paterson to Edgewater where a ferry took passengers to NYC.
Remains of Historic Public Trolley Route on Red Trail
The red trail includes many sites such as a big Silver Maple, two massive black willows, Dragonfly Pond, an outdoor ecology classroom and the Five Pipes. The five pipes were leftover massive drainage pipes that are large enough to stand in. Rather than discard them, volunteers painted the interiors and exteriors to represent five eras of time.
Fives Pipes before any work was done
Primer with sketching
Completion!
The exteriors of the five pipes represent natures flora and fauna found at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy across time. The interiors of the five pipes represent the human relationship to TCC in 5 different historical eras. These eras include:
1. Native American (The Lenape)
2. Colonial Period (The Dutch and the English)
3. A new nation’s early years (1776-1899)
4. USA: The 20th Century
5. USA: The 21st Century and Beyond
The outdoor ecology classroom is located near the highest quality forested wetlands remaining in TCC (Section A near Fycke Lane). Formerly, the location of the classroom was surrounded by large dense stands of Common Reed. After most of the Common Reed was removed, native trees, shrubs and herbaceous species were planted. The outdoor ecology classroom was built after receiving funding of $100,000 from private and public sources in 2003. The classroom has four 12-foot long benches, a boardwalk and a 30 foot –wide five-sided opening in the middle that looks down into wetlands.
Outdoor Ecology Classroom
Accessible from the red trail, The Green trail traverses near the eastern section through a Cottonwood forest.
Green Trail
This trail is the only trail in the park system that was designed and built by volunteers. The red and blue trail were designed and built by contractors. In addition to views of Teaneck Creek, the Green trail features the Lenape Turtle Peace Labyrinth made from rubble found in Teaneck Creek Conservancy.
Labyrinth this way
Labyrinth Summer
Labyrinth Winter
The labyrinth is shaped in the form of a giant turtle. The Lenape Native Americans believed that the world began when a giant turtle swam to the surface of an ocean that covered the earth and the turtle’s back supported the continent. Hikers are encouraged to follow the rubblestone to the center of the labyrinth. A sign posted at the entrance states “A walk to the labyrinth’s center can provide an opportunity to meditate, heal and grow”. The green trail then follows Teaneck Creek until the intersection with the red trail at the Five Pipes. The red trail can then be followed either north to the Outdoor Classroom or south to the intersection with the blue trail.
Blue Trail
The blue trail, located in the northwestern section of TCC, goes through a dense area of wetlands and reeds. It is the location of one of the first temporary art exhibits I saw at Teaneck Creek Conservancy: Windows on the Park. Old window frames were taken and hung up alongside the blue trail to challenge the separation between public and private spaces.
2009 Windows on the Park Exhibit
Windows on the Park Public Space-Private Space
Soon after leaving this area, the blue trail heads back to the red trail where the hike began.
Flora
TCC includes over 140 native species of plants. These include:
Red Maple
Silver Maple
Green Ash
Virginia Creeper
Pokeweed
Skunk Cabbage
Jewelweed
Eastern Cottonwood
Click here to check out the official website of Teaneck Creek Conservancy. Click here for directions to this unique urban wetland.
Leonia’s 14 acre Highwood Hills natural area was acquired by the Borough of Leonia using Green Acre funding in 1972 and 1980.The nature preserve is bordered to the east by the Plaza West Shopping Center, to the south by the borough of Palisades Park, and by dense residential housing to the north and west.
Highwood Hills Leonia Green Acres
The property was acquired through the efforts of the Leonia Environmental Commission, mayor and council and citizens. The Leonia Environmental Commission, scouts and volunteers sponsor educational activities, clean-ups and special programs on occasion at Highwood Hills.
Trails
Highwood Hills Trail Map
Trail
The preserve features 6 trails. The Main Trail goes in a north to south direction across the perimeter of the preserve and parallels a seasonal stream.
Sensitive Fern around seasonal stream
Sassafras saplings were found throughout the main trail. These trees grow well in open woods on moist, well-drained, sandy loam soils. This tree has three basic leave patterns making it a really interesting tree to look at. One of the types of leaves even looks like a mitten.
Sassafras
There are five trails which branch off the main trail. The Lizard Pond trail branches to the west of the preserve in a loop fashion. The pond leads to a vernal pond (Lizard Pond) which was mud at the time of my summer 2010 visit.
Lizard Pond (Vernal Pond)
The Birch Trail, which heads to the east of the preserve in a loop fashion from the main trail, features a railroad tie staircase and bridges over the seasonal stream.
Railroad Tie Stairway
Bridge over seasonal stream
The Chestnut trail branches off the main trail at the extreme southern extent of the preserve. The Chestnut trail leads to the Gulch Trail or back to another railroad tie staircase. It was along this staircase that I found some cool turkey tail fungus on some old logs.
Turkey Tails on some old logs
The Gulch Trail either leads back to Lizard Pond Trail or the Douglas Spur Trail which connects back to the Main Trail. Each trail, regardless of the length, has character and is worth exploring.
Beautiful Highwood Hills
The preserve is a unique remnant palisades forest located just minutes from the George Washington Bridge.
Contact the Leonia Environmental Commission for more information. The entrance to the preserve is located on Highwood Avenue in Leonia, NJ or off of Roff Avenue, Glen Avenue or 4th street in Palisades Park. Parking is available on Highwood Avenue near the entrance or on Roff and Glen Avenue.
Eastern Gray Squirrel in Leonia's Highwood Hills Natural Area
Feel free to e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com with any comments, memories or suggestion! Thank you and have fun exploring!
The Borough of Oradell‘s Lotus Woods Nature Walk located in densely populated Bergen County NJ is a 10 acre wetland preserve featuring a woodland trail next to the Van Saun Mill Brook.
Lotus Woods Nature Walk
The woods were preserved by the Mayor and Council of Oradell in the early nineties. The trail has been maintained by the Oradell Boy Scouts since 1991. The boy scouts also help remove invasive plants and replace them with native plants. The Lotus Notes Nature Walk is a forest island completely surrounded by dense residential development. But you wouldn’t know that by looking at the photo below.
The Van Saun Mill Brook, a tributary of the Hackensack River, flows through the center of the woods. The Van Saun Mill Brook is monitored by the Bergen County Environmental Council further south of the preserve in nearby Van Saun Park three times a year to determine the quality of the water. The Lotus Woods help to protect the Van Saun Mill Brook from non-point source pollution.
Van Suan Mill Brook
Much of the preserve is dominated by typical wetland vegetation such as Sensitive Fern and Skunk Cabbage.
Sensitive Fern
The trail is level and is an easy pleasant walk next to a bubbling brook. The woods are a perfect way to observe nature at a slow pace. The main entrance to the preserve is on Amaryllis Avenue between Seminole Street and Summit Avenue in Oradell. It’s a nice slice of nature.
Welcome to the NJ Audubon’s Lorrimer Sanctuary! The property was bequeathed to the NJ Audubon Society by Ms. Lucine Lorrimer in 1956. The 14 acre preserve features forest and field habitats, a butterfly garden and a visitor center with a gift shop and exhibits including live animals. The sanctuary features an excellent self guided trail through the Field, Butterfly and Woodland trails.
Outside a large window in the visitor center is a multitude of bird feeders. This Red-Belly Woodpeckerwas there the day I visited.
Red-Belly Woodpecker
Trails
Lorrimer Sanctuary Trail Guide
There are two main trails (in addition to a buttefly garden trail) which are mostly flat to be explored at the Lorrimer Sanctuary. Both trails travel in a loop fashion and make for very easy walking. Be sure to take your time and enjoy the forest!
Field Trail
The 1/6 of a mile field trail once wound through an actual field. Through succession, the trail now wounds through a young forest. Before the surrounding private property was developed, barn owls frequented the area. This box pictured below was built for barn owl habitat.
At 1/3 of a mile, the woodland trail is the longest trail and features both wetlands and upland habitat. The trail loops past secondary growth forest. The land was once used for as an orchard, farmland and livestock pasture. Interpretive signage has been placed on both the Field and Woodland trails to describe the geology, flora and fauna of the Lorrimer Sanctuary.
Woodland Trail Interpretive Signage
The sanctuary is worth going to. Be sure to visit the gift shop as all proceeds are used to help maintain the preserve. Click here for more information and the address.
Feel free to e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com with any comments, memories or suggestion! Thank you and have fun exploring!
The Ridgefield Nature center consists of 5.4 acres of deciduous wooded wetlands and upland.
Ridgefield Nature Center
The nature center is only open on Saturdays to the public from 8AM-Noon.
Ridgefield Nature Center Trail
The interpretive trail is wide and lined with old tree trunks. There are more than 25 educational signage covering everything from Pokeweed (as listed in the picture below) to Sassafras Trees.
One of the more unique trees found at Ridgefield Nature Center is the American Persimmon tree. The tree is thought to be growing here at its extreme northern limit. The tree is found generally in the south. The bark of the Persimmon tree resembles alligator skin.
The day I visited the nature center this gigantic old mushroom was found and was on display.
Mushroom
The forest is surrounded by dense residential development to the north, south and west of the property. To the east of the forest is the Ridgefield Community Garden.
Ridgefield Community Garden
The garden is open for local residents to plant veggies or establish a butterfly garden. Wolf Creek flows to the east of the gardens and includes an estimated .58 of an acre of wetlands. The creek is a tribute of Bellmans Creek, a major lower Hackensack River Tributary. Both the community garden and Ridgefield Nature Center were once owned by the Great Bear Company which used the property to distribute bottled water. The Borough of Ridgefield purchased the combined 12 acres of the community garden and Ridgefield Nature Center land in 1975.
The woods are open to the public on Saturdays from 8am to Noon. Group Tours can be made by appointment by calling 201-943-5215 x353. The community garden is accessible to the public at any time during the day. Click here for more information regarding the Ridgefield Nature Center. The nature center is maintained by members of the Ridgefield Environmental Commission.
Ridgefield Nature Center and Community Garden
Feel free to e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com with any comments, memories or suggestion! Thank you and have fun exploring!
