The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society will celebrate the opening of River Barge Bark in Carlstadt on Saturday, May 19, with a day of free, family-friendly activities focused on raising awareness of the importance of environmental protection, conservation and keeping our waterways clean.
The events include free 30-minute guided boat rides on the NJMC's pontoon boats.
River Barge Park Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, May 20.
Activities at the scenic, 5.5-acre park on the Hackensack River also include mini kayak lessons provided by REI, environmental education activities for children conducted by Meadowlands Environment Center educators and park tours.
There will also be bird watching, a live barn owl exhibit, environmental exhibitors, food vendors and more.
The park provides much-needed boating and paddling access to the Hackensack River in southern Bergen County while magnificent riverfront views provide a tranquil setting for relaxation, bird watching and experiencing the Meadowlands District’s stunning natural beauty and unique urban ecosystem up-close.
The park includes a boat ramp, docks, paddling and rowing launch points, a 17-slip marina, a scenic promenade with picnic tables, paths lined by native plants and an education pavilion.*
River Barge Park Day events include a reading and book signing session for kids at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. by Tom Yezerski, whose beautifully-illustrated children’s book, “Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story,” was named to the New York Times list of 10 Notable Children’s Picture Books for 2011.
Kids can also participate in water chemistry activities using science kits to test water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and ph, and observe organisms found in the Hackensack River under the microscope.
The Bergen County Audubon Society will help visitors find birds and other wildlife through spotting scopes.
The Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute will have a computer showing real-time water quality data from several monitoring stations throughout the Meadowlands District. They also have a “Soak the Polluter” activity planned for children.
Other exhibitors include wildlife educator Joe D’Angeli, who will present a live Barn Owl exhibit throughout the day, the Hackensack Canoe Club, and the Wanda Canoe Club. The Meadowlands Museum will showcase the region’s rich history, while the Meadowlands YMCA has activities planned for all ages.
Environmental groups including the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program, and the New York-New Jersey Harbor Coalition will inform visitors about protecting, restoring and improving safe access to waterways.
The Rutherford Green Team will talk about how to move toward and maintain sustainable communities.
River Barge Park Day is hosted by the NJMC and the BCAS and was made possible by funding from the NewYork-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program and the NEIWPCC.
The NJMC purchased the park property, which was once slated for residential development, with major funding provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The construction of River Barge Park advances the NJMC’s commitment to sustainability and green building. The education pavilion features a thatched roof consisting of Phragmites from New Jersey marshes, while the pavilion, tables and bench furnishings were constructed with 300-year-old first-growth long leaf yellow pine salvaged from the Barge Club restaurant, which formerly stood on the site.
The park also includes energy-efficient lighting and sustainable storm water management, collection and filtering systems.
All parking for River Barge Park Day is at the Izod Center, Lot 28, just minutes from the park. Free shuttle bus service will be provided for all visitors to and from Lot 28 throughout the day.
*Due to space limitations, visitors may not bring their own kayaks, canoes or boats to River Barge Park Day.
For more information, please call 201-460-4619.