Hackensack River Paddle and Spring Celebration
by Tom Hart

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Not a mighty trip, but we had several boats at least something like what have been used in the 19th century.

Benjamin Danson with his son Julio Cialle and Jim Norman met me in Hackensack’s Johnson Park. Ben and Julio paddled Jim’s wooden kayak and Jim paddled his replica 1800s solo canoe. Andy Anderson rowed down in his replica rowing dingy.

We arrived at New Bridge Landing where we were allowed to land on the New Bridge Landing side. The New Bridge Landing (west) side of the river has long been posted ‘No fishing, dumping or boat launching.’ I reached out to the Bergen County Historical Society, which responded that they had posted it due to littering, abuse of the historic wharf including motor boat launching and even chemical truck dumping. Mike Trepicchio of the Bergen County Historic Society said ‘We have been protecting and preserving the landing as well as the River since 1944 …. If the use is compatible with our mission of protection and preservation and permission is requested and granted, we welcome the company.’

Saw a couple of herons and egrets and lots of mallards and Canadian Geese but not as much as usual for the Hack.

On the Ramapo on Saturday: There’s a goose sitting on the tip of the island above the second dam…and her husband came straight at us as we floated down that way.

Tom

> More details on the trip and pictures from the trip and the Pinkster event