Bergen County Parks

Saddle River County Park

760 Saddle River Rd Saddle Brook, NJ 07663 (201) 796-0324

Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ridgewood, Rochelle Park and Saddle Brook

Saddle River County Park is a 577-acre linear park that meanders with the Saddle River and its tributary brooks. It consists of five park areas that are linked by a multi-use path, including circular paths around some ponds.

Multi-use pathway/Bicycle-Pedestrian Path: This bike and pedestrian path travels from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park and is approximately 6 miles in length. This continuous path runs through Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Saddle Brook and Rochelle Park and under Route 4. This path also follows the Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and passes by the Historic Easton Tower at Route 4. The path features a scenic waterfall at Dunkerhook Park, and there are three ponds, tree-shaded picnic areas, pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts and athletic fields accessible along the path.

Van Saun Park

216 Forest Ave Paramus, NJ 07652 (201) 261-7312

Within its 146 acres, Van Saun County Park offers a wide range of activities that is sure to please the entire family. Some of its popular attractions include the nationally accredited Bergen County Zoological Park, the historic Washington Spring Garden, train, carousel, pony rides, several age-appropriate playgrounds and picnic and fishing areas.

Amenities • Multi-use pathway/Bicycle-Pedestrian Path: Winding through Van Saun County Park, this 1.5-mile trail takes you by the nationally accredited Bergen County Zoological Park, historic Washington Spring Garden, and the Millennium Carousel • Walden Pond • ADA accessible brand-new Harmony Playground with water sprinkler feature (open seasonally, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily) • Millennium Carousel (fee) • Bergen County Zoological Park (fee) • Van Saun Tennis Center (Summer Camp for Kids, Sunday Doubles Scramble, Singles Leagues, private lessons) • Picnicking–- pavilions, three with electric (permits needed) • Miniature Train Ride (fee)

• Pony rides (fee) • Sledding • Fishing (NJ State Fishing License Required) • Three Athletic fields – soccer, baseball, softball (permit needed) • Dog park near the Continental Avenue entrance in River Edge

Palisades Interstate Park Commission

1 Alpine Approach Rd

Alpine, NJ 07620 (201) 461-1776

Overlooking the Hudson River in Bergen County, the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey is about 12 miles long, a half-mile wide, and encompasses 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shorefront, uplands, and cliffs.

Within this park you will find more than 30 miles of hiking and ski trails, a boat launching ramp, a scenic riverside drive, a cliff-top park- way and overlooks, riverfront picnic areas and playgrounds, a nature sanctuary, two boat basins, historic sites — and mile after mile of rugged woodlands and vistas just minutes from midtown Manhattan.

The Palisades Interstate Park is a National Historic Landmark and the Palisades are a National Natural Landmark. The Long Path and Shore Trail are National Recreation Trails.

Amenities Activities: Biking Birding Hiking General Information: Pet-Friendly (Leashed) Restrooms

Wood Dale County Park

Prospect Ave Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677

(201) 666-3881

The 118-acre Wood Dale County Park is a suburban gem that has become quite popular with walkers of all ages. Around its pond, the park fea- tures shady picnic groves, a pavilion and a gazebo.

Amenities

Tennis courts (two with lights)

Off-leash dog-park area Pedestrian Pathway Playground

Picnicking – pavilion with electric (permit required) Fishing (NJ State Fishing License Required) Model Boating (by permit)

Thielke Arboretum Of Glen Rock 460 Doremus Ave Glen Rock, NJ 07452

(201) 447-0452

The Thielke Arboretum of Glen Rock is a serene oasis in the midst of busy suburbia. The arboretum is a wetland forest, with nature trails, gardens, a spring fed pond, and a sparkling brook. The arboretum’s eleven acres support many species of trees and plants, the majority of which are native to this area. The arboretum also has many trees recommended by Rutgers, the state university, for planting in New Jersey residential landscapes. The arboretum is a natural habitat for birds, butterflies, amphibians and a waterfowl as well as other native inhabitants of the animal kingdom.

The antique gazebo, located at the end of the 2000 Millennium kousa dog- wood allee, is a popular site for special occasions and celebrations. The Thielke Arboretum has a well-rounded education program, offering New Jersey Core Curriculum based nature tours, for grades pre-kindergarten through high school science classes, and environ- mental groups as well as nature tours for adults and visitors. Tours are led by knowledgeable volunteer docents.

Overpeck County Park 40 Fort Lee Rd, Leonia, NJ 07605

(201) 336-7275

Amenities • Children’s playground • Five miles of paths for pedestrian and bicycle use • Observation deck/ nature overlook • Canoe/kayak launch (car top only)

• Dock • 3,000-seat amphitheater • 40-acre open field • One softball field • One baseball field • Two artificial turf soccer fields • Six tennis courts • Three comfort stations • Two concession areas

Samuel Nelkin County Park Rose Street, Wallington

Tucked against a hillside, the 17 acres of Samuel Nelkin County Park provides a variety of activities for visitors, including a large new acces- sible playground.

Amenities Tennis courts (2)

Baseball/softball Pedestrian walkway Playground

Fishing (NJ State Fishing License Required)

Picnicking – pavilion with electric (permit required) Sledding Ice-skating Dog Park

Ramapo Valley County Reservation Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), Mahwah (201) 327-3500

Ramapo Valley County Reservation is Bergen County’s largest park area and is located on the edge of the Highlands Region. With the recent additions of Camp Glen Gray, Camp Tamarack and Camp Todd, the park has grown to over 4,000 acres. Visitors can hike the hills and valleys and enjoy the Ramapo River and several ponds. Hiking and camping are available. Several tent campsites are available around Scarlet Oak Pond For sketch maps of the trails, call (201) 327-3500. Tent camping is allowed in designated areas. Call Bergen County Parks Department at (201) 336-7279 for camping permits and rules. Fishing permitted on the reservation/special rules apply. (A valid NJ fishing license is required, no license is required under age 14). Cross-country skiing is also available during the winter.

Amenities Camping (by permit only) Canoe/Kayak access to Ramapo River Cross-Country Skiing Fishing (NJ State Fishing License Required) Marked hiking trails Tent campsites – April-November (by permit only)