2005 Eco-Program Schedule Offers Full Menu Of Educational Recreation

 

ECO-CRUISES

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Hackensack Riverkeeper Eco-Cruise Program. In celebration, we’ve scheduled 35 Open Boat Eco-Cruises  for individuals, couples, families, etc. Reservations are required.

If you would like to arrange a Charter Eco-Cruise for a group, we’ll be happy to arrange one on a date and time of your choosing. Most Eco-Cruises depart from Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus and offer a fully narrated 2 - 2 ½ hour trip aboard one of our comfortable Aqua Patio® pontoon cruisers.

 

The 2005 Eco-Cruise schedule is: Saturday, May 8 (Mother’s Day) @ 3:00 PM Saturday, May 14 @ 3:00 PM Sunday, May 15 @ 12:00 Noon Sunday, June 5 @ 12:00 Noon Friday, June 10 @ 6:00 PM Wednesday, June 15 @ 6:00 PM Sunday, June 19 (Father’s Day) @ 4:00 PM Tuesday, June 21 (Solstice) @ 6:00 PM Saturday, June 25 @ 6:00 PM Thursday, June 30 @ 6:00 PM Saturday, July 2 @ 6:00 PM Thursday, July 7 @ 6:00 PM Sunday, July 10 @ 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 13 @ 6:00 PM Monday, July 18 @ 6:00 PM Friday, July 22 @ 6:00 PM Thursday, July 28 @ 6:00 PM Thursday, August 4 @ 6:00 PM Tuesday, August 9 @ 6:00 PM Wednesday, August 10 @ 6:00 PM Saturday, August 13 @ 4:00 PM Friday, August 19 @ 5:00 PM Saturday, August 20 @ 10:00 AM Sunday, August 21 @ 5:00 PM Friday, August 26 @ 5:00 PM Sunday, September 4 @ 5:00 PM Friday, September 9 @ 5:00 PM Saturday, September 10 @ 5:00 PM Sunday, September 18 @ 3:00 PM Saturday, September 24 @ 3:00 PM Sunday, September 25 @ 3:00 PM Saturday, October 1 @ 12:00 Noon Sunday, October 2 @ 12:00 Noon Sunday, October 9 @ 12:00 Noon Sunday, October 16 @ 12:00 Noon

Because weather is a factor and sometimes even the best-laid plans are forced to change, be sure to call or check our website for program updates. Our Eco-programs are the centerpiece of our mission to restore river-based recreation on the Hackensack River. To learn more, call 201-968-0808 or e-mail Hugh@HacksensackRiverkeeper.org. Tens of thousands of people have already taken part in Eco-Cruises, Eco-Walks, Guided Paddles and River Clean-ups over the years. Join us in 2005. See you at the river!

Costs: You can get a seat aboard an Open Eco-Cruise for a donation of $20 per passenger, ages 13 and up and $10 each for younger passengers. You can reserve an Adult Eco-Cruise Charter for a donation of $275 or a Youth Charter (school / Scout groups) for $200. Eco-Cruises are not recommended for babies, or children under age 4.

Please Note: Due to an expected change in US Coast Guard regulations on pontoon boat passenger capacity, Hackensack Riverkeeper is restricting ALL Open Boat and Adult Charter Eco-Cruises to 15 adults with NO exceptions. We’re sorry for any inconvenience but the new policy is for the safety of all who come aboard.

Double-boat Eco-Cruises are available for up to 30 adults or 34 students/teachers.

 

COMBINATION PROGRAMS

Our Combination Programs have been created to accommodate half-day field trips for school classes and day camps. We provide a four-hour program at Laurel Hill Park with two staff members for up to 34 individuals (students & adults). The program involves dividing the group in two and taking half on an Eco-Cruise while the other half engages in an age-appropriate shoreside educational activity. After lunch, the groups switch activtities. Your school or camp can reserve a Combination Program for a donation of $250.

 

ECO-WALKS

New for 2005: All Eco-Walks are now bird walks! Spring and fall are the best times to hit the trails in our watershed because that’s when birds and other wildlife are most active and I’ve chosen four of our region’s best examples of healthy and unique wildlife habitats to explore. Like Open Eco-Cruises, the programs on the dates listed below are for individuals, etc. but Group Walks (for adults or students) can be conducted at any of those locations. Also like Eco-Cruises, reservations are required. Come take a walk with us!

 

The 2005 Eco-Walk schedule is:

Saturday, April 23 @ 9:00 AM at the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, NJ

Sunday, May 22 @ 9:00 AM at the Mill Creek Marsh Trail in Secaucus, NJ

Saturday, September 10 @ 9:00 AM at the Mill Creek Marsh Trail in Secaucus, NJ

Saturday, October 8 @ 9:00 AM at Richard W. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, NJ

Sunday, November 13 @ 10:00 AM at the Mehrhof Pond Nature Trail in Little Ferry, NJ

Cost: Eco-Walks cost $10 each for participants high school-age and older; and $5 for younger walkers. Although it’s walking and not hiking, Eco-walks are narrated naturalist trips and are not recommended for children under five.

 

CANOE AND KAYAK RENTALS

Opened in 1999, Hackensack Riverkeeper’s Paddling Center at Laurel Hill County Park is still the only small boat livery service on the river. You’re invited to rent a canoe or kayak (single or tandem) for independent exploration of the Hackensack River and Meadowlands. The Center will be open weekends from April 2 through October 30, 2005 and during the week by group appointment only. Rentals include your choice of craft and all necessary equipment for a day of paddling.

Costs: Canoes: $20 per paddler, $10 per passenger. Kayaks: $20 per paddler; no passengers. (No one may paddle alone.)

 

GUIDED PADDLES

Last year was our most successful paddling year to date. All told, more than 1,500 people kayaked or canoed with us and this year our Project Manager Jared Eudell is looking forward to introducing many more to the river and the Meadowlands. As before, most of our guided trips will take place in the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area but we’ve added more birding tours, extended paddling adventures up and down the river and grouped our guided trips together on five fantastic weekends. Also, each day features trips at both high tide (best for scenery) and low tide (best for wildlife-watching). Boats and seating are limited so be sure to call 201-968-0808 for more information and to reserve yours today. On weekends, call 201-920-4746.

The 2005 Guided Paddle schedule is:

Saturday, May 14 @ 8:00 AM

Saturday, May 14 @ 2:15 PM

Sunday, May 15 (Birding) @ 8:45 AM

Sunday, May 15 @ 3:00 PM

Saturday, June 4 @ 8:00 AM

Saturday, June 4 (Birding) @ 1:30 PM

Sunday, June 5 @ 8:30 AM

Sunday, June 5 @ 2:30 PM

Saturday, July 30 (Downriver)* @ 9:00 AM

Saturday, July 30 @ 5:15 PM

Sunday, July 31 @ 12:00 Noon

Sunday, July 31 @ 6:00 PM

Saturday, August 13 @ 8:15 AM

Saturday, August 13 (Upriver)* @ 1 PM

Sunday, August 14 (Birding) @ 9:30 AM

Sunday, August 14 @ 4:00 PM

Saturday, September 17 @ 8:45 AM

Saturday, Sept. 17 (Birding) @ 2:45 PM

Sunday, September 18 @ 9:30 AM

Sunday, September 18 @ 3:45PM

*Experienced paddlers only.

Costs: Canoes: $25 per paddler; $15 per passenger. Kayaks: $25 per paddler; no passengers.

 

RIVER CLEAN-UPS

These events have become some of our most popular ways for people to connect with the river and its watershed. We provide the tools, gloves, trash bags, water, refreshments and lunch; all you need to bring is the sunscreen, bug juice and yourself! Individuals, families and groups are welcome. (If you plan to bring a large group, please let us know in advance so we can be sure to have enough supplies on hand.)

 

The 2005 River-Clean-Up schedule is:

Sunday, April 17 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Overpeck County Park, Leonia

Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Kenneth B. George Park, River Edge

Saturday, June 4, from 9:00 AM to 2:00PM at Oradell Reservoir, Norwood

Saturday, June 18 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Laurel Hill County Park, Secaucus

Saturday, July 16 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Staib Park, Hackensack

Sunday, August 21 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Foschini Park, Hackensack

Sunday, September 11 from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Laurel Hill County Park, Secaucus

Saturday, October 15 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Overpeck County Park, Leonia