Ridgewood Wildscape Association

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Our naturalist, Mike LeFebvre, is leading us on a walk at Twinney Pond on Sunday , May 18 1-3 pm

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Hohokus Brook Dunham Trail

Photo: JSD

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The Dunham Trail, named in honor of Dr. Ann Dunham, follows along the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook between Grove Street and Spring Avenue.

About the Ridgewood Wildscape Association

The Ridgewood Wildscape Association was formed in 1976 as a living memorial to Dr. Ann Dunham, who was a Ridgewood resident for 60 years and a nature consultant for the public schools. The purposes of the Association are:1. to promote, in cooperation with the Village of Ridgewood and the Board of Education, the preservation and maintenance of undeveloped Village-owned land; 2. to provide nature education services and enjoyment for all Village residents and friends; 3. to act as guardians of the undeveloped areas in the Village by encouraging residents to use the "wild" areas for birding, picnics and walks, and to experience the varied flora and fauna in each area in order to understand the value of open space. .

News and Events

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Free copies of the brochure are available at these locations:Lester Stable, Village Hall or by contacting us.

Please click on the link below to visit the Archives.

The Ridgewood Wildscape Associationdescriptive brochure

ARCHIVES

Gypsy Pond Native Plants Walk Saturday May 18, 2024

Spring is beginning to show its “face” even though we will still have a few cool, rainy days ahead. Our naturalist, Mike LeFebvre, is leading us on a walk at Twinney Pond on Sunday , May 18, 1-3 pm. Twinney is a “kettle” pond and it certainly looks different from years past as we have had long periods of drought. It only fills when it rains and water from drains enters the pond. Join us at Twinney pond (located at the end of Red Birch Ct.) See our brochure in the website for details.

TWINNEY POND WALK - MAY 18 1-3 PM

Become a member of the RWAand help support its efforts ...

To join, please send a $5.00 annual family membership fee to: Sandy Antista 139 Liberty Street Ridgewood, N. J. 07450

admin@ridgewoodwildscape.org

I you walk further east, you come to a trailhead leading into the trees . One entry is marked “ Sem' s Trail. “ in honor of Dr. Paul Semendinger, who retired in 2021 after 14 vears as the principal fo Hawes. Walking in, benches supported yb tree stumps create awoodland amphitheater often used as an ouldoor classroom. "I had a great time giving a tour to Mrs. Sweeney's class at Hawes in the fall," remembers Jim.

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM RIDGEWOOD LIVING

It’s a short easy walk, about ten minutes of meditation at most, but its' alive with variety. A mature forest of beech, oak, maple and other hardwoods provides a high canopy. The beeches are especially interesting in winter since they exhibit a trait called "marcescence." meaning they don't always shed al their leaves. addingt to the texture and color of a snowy scene. Jim points out the abundant "nurse logs," fallen trees in various states of decay that provide shelter for small animals and an environment that nurtures seedlings. And he notes that, "Now, invasive Japanese knotweed is beginning to take over on places. My golfing partners from Korea tell me that it is edible."

A Hidden Community Retreat by Kathryn Schmidt

Throughout the seasons vou can see deer, squirrels, chipmunks [much too many chipmunks, opossum, the neighborhood fox and a wide variety of birds including red-winged blackbirds, goldfinches, cardinals, bluejays, owls and the occasional peregrine falcon. A flock of geese thes over us as we walk, honking in the stillness.

Pleasant Park

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When you hear the name "Pleasant Park" you probably envision the open space at Hawes Elementary School. But Pleasant Park more accurately refers to about ten acres of land that comprises playgrounds, athletic fields and a forest. "It's a combination of active and passive parkland,” says Jim Bostler, my guide for a Sunday morning walk in the park located next ot Hawes at the end of Stevens Avenue. Walking across the open grounds, you see playground equipment donated by Dad's Night and other patrons, two bascall fields and basketball courts, including one junior size. Jim notes that these areas are often filled with children playing and practicing. “In fact," he says, "I would guess that anyone involved in lacrosse. soccer or baseball through town sports has practiced, played or coached on Pleasant Park grounds, often referred to as Hawes Field."

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