A Backyard Garden Setting
Sustainability in Bergen County
A priceless jewel in Bergen County, NJ is tucked away in a residential area of Wyckoff; the James A. McFaul Environmental Center. It’s seldom crowded, and on a nice day the wildlife you see is inspiring. It is a well-maintained, safe and peaceful place to walk or read.The Environmental Center was originally an 81 acre farm. Fortunately, because of the forward thinking of James A. McFaul, the Bergen County Parks director in the 1960’s, the county bought and preserved the land.
The 2.5 acre pond was excavated and restored, and the grounds were replanted with flowers.Today there are beautiful gardens of daffodils, rhododendrons, different varieties of grass and flowers and even an herb garden that provides different scents at different times of the year. Toward sunset, the light shimmers against the flowers and creates a multicolored light show in the meadows and by the pond.The park has become a wildlife sanctuary for birds and other animals. Excellent walking paths that wind around the grounds increase your chances of experiencing a close encounter with a duck or goose. There are other animals in the park that are kept in cages. Since the park is never as crowded as a zoo, you can enjoy watching the animals without crowds of people elbowing you.
The main building, which overlooks the waterfowl pond, has an auditorium, browsing library and nature exhibits. Winding paths on this 
81-acre site brings you to woodland gardens and animal shelters. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk takes you along the edge of the pond to a two-story observation platform. A covered picnic pavilion is available near thejames a mcfaul environmental center main building and another open, wooded picnic area sits on top of a hill.
There are free Tuesday films and other special events throughout the year.
Today the 81-acre Wildlife sanctuary
A visit to the park must include a stop on the two story observation platform that affords wonderful views of the pond. You will see a wide array of birds, turtles and fish from this vantage point. Photographers love this spot.offers nature programs and workshops. The site includes a waterfowl pond, bird shelters, a boardwalk, nature trail, memorial gazebo, and natural science exhibits. The Environmental Center gardens include specialties such as flowering trees, Daffodil Hill, rhododendrons, ornamental grasses, the herb garden, a secret scented garden, and various memorial plantings. A naturalized field area and woodland contain many plant species that provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife species, including insects, birds, and mammals.
The park closes to cars at sunset, but there is an area reserved for parking at the entrance for those who want to enjoy this special time of the day in a very special and little known park in Bergen County, New Jersey.
