Belchers Creek
by Teri Rocco

May 15, 2023

On Monday May 15, thirteen paddlers ventured down Belchers Creek in West Milford NJ. It was a perfect weather day. Sunny and warm, but not too hot and with just a light breeze. As the last two boats launched, a hawk landed in the tall grass about 20 feet behind them. We had a nice closeup look at him as he landed and when he left, but it was almost impossible to see him as he sat in the grass.

Belchers Creek goes through a residential neighborhood for the first section, but soon turns into a completely wooded area. You are never far from civilization, but it looks and feels like you are. It is a very nice, very relaxing paddle.

Other than the hawk, we saw ducks, swans (one was even piling up mud and sticks to build its nest), an osprey, more hawks, plenty of songbirds, and a whole lot of grackles. We even had a turkey vulture land on a low branch as we went under giving us a close-up view of his “beautiful” red head.

After the paddle, some packed up and left, and some gathered for lunch. Normally we eat at the picnic tables that have always been, but are no longer there. Unfortunately, the town no longer maintains the park, and maintenance has been switched over to the state. It is clear the state is not taking good care of the property. The normally manicured lawn is now all tall blooming dandelions, the picnic tables we always ate at are no longer there, and the park just has a “not at all maintained” look. There were maintenance workers there when we launched and when we returned, but they didn’t seem to be doing anything.

Aside from the unfortunate decline of the park, it was a very pleasant paddle. Since we were fortunate enough to have only light winds, a group of four launched again and paddled up the lake viewing the homes along the shore.

> Click here for photos from Martin W.

Teri