In the summer, I avoid this place like the plague, but in the fall and winter, it is a bird…read moreenthusiast paradise.

I think the people of Allendale may be trying to keep this place hidden, but I rode my bike past,…read moresaw it and now the secret is out! This is a big beautiful park with a lot to do. Plenty of parking and open fields for you to walk or picnic. There's a a lot of picnic tables, a picnic table and a few grills. There is a memorial, soccer fields, baseball fields, basketball courts, and a playground. The best part of the lake is probably the lake. I didn't go in but there were a lot of people in the water and on the beech. There were lifeguards and a few docks. Check out their website for specifics on hours, membership or permits.

Great place for a stroll, jog or hike w friends and family. Awesome learning center and wild life…read moreexhibits to explore.

Part of the Bergen County Park System, the J.A. Mcfaul Envirinmental Center is an education and…read morewildlife oasis in an otherwise suburban community. The center features both an indoor and outdoor experience. The outdoor experience offers well maintained nature trails which circumvent a large duck pond where you wild find swans, turtles, waterlillies and other wildlife. A beautiful gazebo overlooks the pond and is surrounded by flowerbeds. Hiking along the lake trail will take you to a two story observation deck. Many people use the paved entrance road to walk or jog. It is a one mile go-around with many joggers the day I visited. For those interested in an up close look at a red-tailed hawk, owls, pigeons and a red fox, the center has caged environments especially for that purpose. The indoor environmental center is a good sized facility designed to educate visitors about native fauna and flora. There are two main rooms. The room off the looby has a variety of fis tanks displaying turtles, snakes, frogs, etc.. Educational displays feature charts, photos, taxidermy and artifacts. I particularly liked the bear display. Adjacent to this room is the observatory room. Large windows give you an opportunity to view the duck pond and wildlife. This room has displays ranging from bats, bees, trees, etc.. Well maintained restrooms are available. In summary. While this is not comparable to a large zoo. it has many things to look at and experience for a well spent morning or afternoon. The facility is free of charge.

Be aware: Locals Only. Beautiful local park, very well kept and pretty walking trail.read more

Great place to go hiking. Wear your rubber boots and you can go walk through the shallow parts of…read morethe glen. If you prefer the dry trail overlooking the glen that is pretty also.

Nice town park. Good playground equipment. Sand pit with toys, expect your child to get dirty…read more Plenty of perking. Also tennis courts and ball fields.

Here I sit in the caboose tapping away on my phone while my son piles the mulch on the table in…read morefront of us. His breathing is erratic and his cheeks red. Perhaps even more noticeable is is persistent laughter. It is contagious. Every time the trains go by he runs up to the bordering fence (there's a lot of distance, a road and trees and another fence) to wave hello and goodbye. He plays well in the sandbox and loves walking around the perimeter. But enough about my child. This place is spacious! Plenty of parking. There's tennis and hockey courts, the playground, sandbox, fountain. There's plenty of benches to sit and spectate. Also there are some baseball and soccer fields and bleachers. Now, where's the restroom?

Nice park for the beginner or more experienced hiker or just someone who wants to have some peace…read moreand quiet outdoors for a couple of hours. The parking lot is big and there is a bathroom, which is appreciated. I took a look at the trail map before I left to find one of a decent length, so check out options, but the trails are well-marked. Once you get past the main train next to the lake, you can find yourself pretty alone except for another occasional hiker, but you can vibe with nature, see a waterfall, and just breathe in the fresh air. Some of the trails are long, but I paced one that was only a couple of miles and still got some nice scenery and a lot of steps in. It's great this park isn't too far from the urban areas of Northern NJ and there are many trail options so you can visit again and experience something new. There's also a sign for trout fishing if that's your thing. Check it out if you want to get away for the day.

This was my first time and what a blast! What I love about…read morehiking is that there's so many cool and magical places that you can't get to by car. For decades I've driven up 287 and wondered what was in all the hills and mountains and today I finally got to see. I met up with my local plus size hiking group for our last hike of the year and Ramapo was a first for all of us despite being longtime New Jerseyans. We did the Macmillan trail and clocked about 3.5 miles total. We went the long trail around the reservoir and then dipped back down the waterfall trail. Very thankful we did it that way - I think all the stairs on the waterfall trail would have been treacherous given the conditions and a bit demoralizing. Getting the big hills out the way first and enjoying the lake made the waterfall that much sweeter. So many dogs and kind people on the trail. Trash was almost non-existent. Tons of rocks and logs to sit a spell - but at below freezing temps we kept it moving lol. Highlights: -ample parking (bc it was cold) -giant rocks -waterfalls -exposed slabs -gorgeous vistas -the swan!!

We love this park. It's got parking all around a one way loop around the center pond. Two beautiful…read morefountains shoot water up in the middle. There are benches throughout, a reasonable amount of geese (not too much poop throughout), picnic tables, a pavilion, a dog park if you desire, turtles, fish and it's all simple to walk. It's flat with everything centered around the pond. There are trees for shade, plus plenty of sun. It's always been a great time here. Take a couple loops around the pond, sit, relax, you'll go home refreshed. There's a small walkout deck that could be ideal for fishing. I've seen sunnies, but imagine other fish dwell here too. Joggers, walkers, dog walkers, thinkers...many come here and take it all in, yet it never feels crowded. Enjoy and...just watch out for the patches of poison ivy!

Chill af, toke up with the boys and name all the geese. Our favorite goose is Crip, he has a Crip…read morewalk. Also people have cool dogs you can look at.

This is a beautifully maintained nature preserve with walking paths, trails, kayaking/water…read moreboarding, and a picnic area. There is no cost to visit here and it is usually quiet. The flat trail is stroller friendly, very scenic with plenty of benches and picnic tables for resting and eating. There are trails (one which apparently leads to a beautiful waterfall) but not able to access with a stroller. Bring your own trash bag to take with you as there are no garbage cans. You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself. The views of the water were gorgeous, and the boys enjoyed throwing rocks into the water and watching other people kayak and water board. You can bring your own kayak or rent one in the summer. CJ loved the little houses made of sticks all over the preserve. They are a great opportunity for pretend play. Will go back? There's something about this place The views were beautiful, the preserve itself was so clean and well maintained, and plenty to do with the kids!

This place is very nice. Good easy path around the lake that's clean and recently trimmed. There…read moreare benches along the path and trash bins. There's a small parking lot there and a dock for you to bring your own kayak or rent one of their own

What a cute spot to enjoy the outdoors. Was there in middle of Oct. to do my son and his wife…read morewedding photos. So many perfect shots.

It's almost surprising to me how many people in Glen Rock have no idea that this hidden oasis…read moreexists, but alas it does, and it's abundance of wildlife and beauty still manage to take my breath every time I visit. Tucked off of Doremus Ave., just short of the pool is a woodchip lined walkway that will guide you through a path of wonder to the beautifully maintained and manicured arboretum. Surrounding the fountained pond are countless types of flowers and trees all with placards identifying the species and from where they were derived, a large gazebo sits atop a brick paved walk much of which is engraved with donors of the parks mission of preservation and conservation. The park is maintained by The Friends of the Glen Rock Arboretum, and have a myriad of volunteer opportunities that many of the local schools and residents partake in. Most recently they've begun developing plans for an environmental center which will provide educational resourcing to the town. This is a spectacular community gem that has been a mainstay since the early 1900s, and there's good reason for it...visit, and you'll know why.

They need better crowd control and communication regarding the park closing. It's awful how…read morecongested the entire area becomes on the weekends. Online "park full" and electric signage on major highways People need to understand Closed is Closed and move on - you're not special, no accommodations, go home. Try next weekend and get there earlier. SMH - as I just drove by area after sitting in traffic for 10 mins.

Today I had one of the worst experiences at Darlington Lake with my 9-year-old son…read more He wanted to try the splash area, so I bought the tickets. As soon as we got there, he went into the water and sat down--without a life vest. I calmly tried to explain to him that it was against the rules and he needed to wear a vest because it could be dangerous. Suddenly, a lifeguard started yelling at us to get out of the water. I told him my son has autism and asked for some patience, but he kept yelling. Then a second lifeguard began screaming even louder. People around us started staring while the shouting continued, and my son began to get very agitated. I couldn't hold it together--I broke down crying. Thankfully, an angel came over to help. He spoke gently to my son, and my son told him it was our first time there. This kind man helped calm him down and encouraged him to get out of the water--and he did. (I later found out that he works with children with special needs at the Special Olympics, and I'm incredibly grateful for his help.) I told my son, "Let's just go," and promised him we'd try again another day--but honestly, I don't plan to go back. I cried the whole way home. My son just wanted to enjoy the splash pad, but I couldn't handle another situation like that. I absolutely do not recommend this place. This should never have happened. My son has severe anxiety, and two years ago he went into catatonia. Only in the last few months have we started going out again. Today was supposed to be a small, brave step forward--but it turned into a deeply traumatic experience instead.