McFaul Center Comes Alive in Springtime
By Veronica MacDonald Ditko
Spring is here and wildlife is in abundance, especially at the James A. McFaul Environmental Center on Crescent Avenue in Wyckoff. So far, the magnolia trees have bloomed and the daffodils are out in full force on Daffodil Hill. Around the swamp, which has a two-thirds mile long walking trail, there are lots of curious sounds.
“The Spring Peepers are out this time of year,” said environmental manager Peter Both about a local frog species. “They almost sound like birds, they don’t really sound like frogs. People often hear them at night and mistake them for birds.”
The center offers a variety of weekday programs for groups of children including Critter Corner, an indoor hands-on experience with live animals. The main building houses reptiles and amphibians to regulate their temperatures, and several aquariums. Both admits he is partial to snakes, however he said it’s a tough decision picking a favorite animal with so many critters around. Most of indoor animals were once pets; however their owners did not know how to care for them properly and donated them, said Both.
The main building overlooks the waterfowl pond and has an auditorium, browsing library, and nature exhibits. Free movies are shown every Tuesday. Art displays are also updated every month.
Winding paths on this 81-acre site lead to woodland gardens and animal shelters. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk winds along the edge of the pond to a two-story observation platform, which overlooks a butterfly and hummingbird garden. An outdoor enclosure by the main building also features turtles.
“The turtle area is open and free-roaming,” said Both.
Other children’s programs at the center include Sensing Nature which is an outdoor sense-enlivening activity; Dinomite Dinos which discusses fossils and dinosaur extinction; Water World which discusses wetlands wildlife and features the use of dip nets and field guides; Lives of the Lenape which showcases artifacts, legends, and history of the Lenape Indians; and more. Seasonal activities such as maple sugaring and apple cider pressing are also available. All programs cost a minimal fee – less than $2 per child.
Throughout summer, there are a series of age-appropriate programs where children make crafts such as bird houses and feeders and learn about nature. Call 201-891-5571 to reserve.
The public is also welcome to walk the swamp trail, which is lined with graphics. A covered picnic pavilion near the main building and a wooded picnic area offer areas for respite.
The McFaul center is part of the Bergen County Parks system and is free to visitors. It is open year-round. The land has had a long history of animal usage. It was originally an 81-acre pig farm before it was purchased in 1962 by the parks system. The 2.5-acre waterfowl pond was excavated in 1966 and the animal shelters were built soon after. It was named the McFaul Wildlife Center in 1987 to honor longtime Bergen County Parks executive director, James A. McFaul, who was instrumental in developing the site. In 1990, the name was changed to the James A. McFaul Environmental Center to better reflect the park’s programs. Pets are not allowed.