The N.J. Meadowlands Commission’s thoughts go out to all who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. DeKorte Park and other Meadowlands sites took a huge hit from Hurricane Sandy. Major cleanups are underway.
We understand that our parks are a major public resource for birders and non-birders alike, and we want to get them open again as soon as possible, butthe public's safety is our paramount concern.
An update on our parks and natural areas follows.
* DeKorte Park is closed to all recreational uses — including birding. For your own safety, please do not attempt to visit the park for these purposes. You will be turned away. Major repairs are underway, and more than 400 tons of debris (mostly fragments of dead Phragmites called wrack) have been removed. Check this blog for updates.
* The park’s Environment Center is open for previously scheduled public programs only, beginning one half-hour before the start of the program.
* The William D. McDowell Observatory is open for free public viewing nights on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. excluding holidays.
* River Barge Park in Carlstadt and Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus are closed for cleanup efforts and repairs. Tons of debris have been been cleared at the entrance to the park.
* Tons of debris have been removed from the main path at Harrier Meadow, and downed trees blocking the roadway have been removed. Volunteer-driven cleanups at this site are scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, November 23, from 10 to noon, and Sunday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.
* The main access to the Kearny Marsh at Gunnell Oval has been blocked by massive amounts of storm-related debris.
The commission appreciates your patience during these difficult times.
Closed forever?! Or just closed till it can be cleaned up and repaired? I really hope its not closed forever. 🙁
We will reopen DeKorte Park as soon as we possibly will can. Will know better later this week.
Took quick peek from Disposal Rd. inside of the park. Noticed a cleanup crew removing debris from trees and bushes.
Also saw a hawk sitting on the branch near downed tree by security booth. Could not see any significant damage from Disposal Rd. side, and I did not want anger security guy and sneak inside.
Me and my wife both hope for speedy “recovery” and look forward
to visit park again.
Early this morning there was a PSEG crew with with some strange caterpillar-tracked vehicle heading out onto the the Saw Mill Creek Trail. It looked like a big deal. Had a Merlin, a Cooper’s, and one or two kestrels on Disposal Road for my trouble. I’m seeing the Merlin rather frequently near the gated landfill entrance.
Went by Gunnell Oval, WOW 🙁
Greg,
Pretty amazing/depressing. Will be a long way back. On Wednesday night at the talk at the MEC, will do a quick rundown of the situation with all the sites.
I gather from recent reports that Disposal Road is open and that anything you can see from Disposal Road is fair — is that right?