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

See all

Part of the Bergen County Park System, the J.A. Mcfaul Envirinmental Center is an education and wildlife 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. read more

See all

Outdoor Oasis/Environmental Center with opportunities for walking/jogging, biking, hiking, and seeing wildlife both in and out of the exhibits. Admission is Free but there is a place for donations to the environmental center which focuses on rehabilitation and education of wildlife Our Experience: we enjoyed spending the afternoon outside on this gorgeous spring day. We started by following the entry path past the adorable house and picnic area to various animal exhibits. We took a pit stop along the way to the stroller friendly bridge/walkway through tiby streams and woods that lead to a beautiful lookout/observatory area up a flight of stairs. The boys enjoyed getting to the top and looking out. Then, we circled back to the picnic area to have a quick snack and heading into the indoor section of the environmental center with fish, lizard, and turtle exhibits. We ended by checking out the other half of the animal exhibits (on the other side of the environmental center) before heading home for dinner. We spent about 90 minutes here but could easily be done in an hour if you are pressed for time or daylight, and could be pushed to 2 or more hours of exploration if desired. There was an entire hire/walking trail area that we weren't able to access because it was rugged and likely not suitable for a stroller Will go back?: DEFINITELY! I cannot believe I didn't know about this place until now. I HIGHLY recommend going here on a good weather day. So much to do, so beautiful, such an upbeat place with warm and kind staff. I know I'll be going back. read more

James McFaul Environmental Center - Parks Near Me - Wyckoff, New Jersey

What a great place to go for a walk! I met my mother here so we can go for a walk and talk. They have a trail and a big section of the trail is boarded. They have several seating areas and an observation deck. The trail isn't that long but it's set up so you can do laps if you'd like. I'd recommend this place for anybody that wants to get in touch with nature, but doesn't want to get too in touch. read more

See all

I always enjoy coming to this place for my walks. It's great to just get away and be amongst nature. You have a nice paved road to come here with for your walks or runs. The facility is consistently maintained and well kept. I will say for future visitors, you can't have dogs or pets at this center. You have many animals in the reserve as well as many deer roaming the parks. This is not a place for recreational sports, just for walking. It's hard to find secured places like these where you can just get away from all of the technology and take in the views. I have been coming here for the past few years and will continue to do so. read more

James McFaul Environmental Center - Parks Near Me - Wyckoff, New Jersey

See all

I have no idea how I didn't know about this place, even though I apparently came as a child once (or so they say). But really, for all the parks and nature preserves in the area not once has anyone mentioned this little gem to me. Entering by car from Crescent Ave. we drove into a paved loop that circles a giant patch of grass where deer, wild turkey, and plenty of geese are found roaming the grounds. As we continued around alongside many local walkers who frequent the grounds for peaceful exercise, we took it slow as the speed bumps suggest, while taking in the surroundings and to avoid hitting any thing or person. There are many places to park or relax on a bench as you go in case your feeing meditative or just want a good picture. Halfway through the circle and opposite the entrance gate is where the animal enclosures and reptile facility are grouped. There's also a large pond with some swans which you will find behind these as you continue on foot. And if you keep going further back to the left, as multiple chipmunks scurry through the leaves beside you, you'll come upon the beginning of a few dirt trails to explore. Don't be silly and expect to find the same amount of wildlife as in a zoo or aquarium here because this place is neither of those things. It is simply a place that provides a serene and educational environment for visitors (especially the little ones) to come for a nice day trip. read more

See all

I've been coming here for years, ever since I was a little kid growing up in Wyckoff. The nature trails are great to walk around on for a nice little walk, and the paved roads in and out of the center make for a good jogging track. Inside the building there are lots of fun activities for younger kids to take advantage of, and I think they do birthday parties and have venues for boy and girl scout troops. On the outside there is a large area for deer, some cages for eagles, owls, and other small animals. Along the wooded trail there is a lookout spot with a raised second floor where you can bird watch. The environmental center is simply a good way to see some local wildlife and go for a nice walk. I love coming here. read more

The place is great if you want to walk along on an interesting trail with lots of beautiful trees with descriptions about the trees. There were squirrels, peacocks, ducks, swans, and a bunch of animal habitats that were fun. The inner building had nice fish, turtles, bunnies, and other native animals to look at. The working people in the building are not used to having people come in and almost seemed to be bothered by us walking through. They keep some animals in their office area where people can't see them. Sort of an unfriendly bunch going through the motions here. -1 for the building staff. We will be back as this place is fun for the whole family that wants to explore nature and get some excercise. read more