Teaneck Creek Conservancy facts for kids

The Teaneck Creek Conservancy is a special 46-acre (0.19 km²) park in Teaneck, New Jersey. It's a place where nature, art, and history come together. This park is part of the Bergen County Park system. It is looked after by a group called the Teaneck Creek Conservancy. This group is a non-profit, which means they use money they get from members to run the park.

The park has 1.4 miles (2.3 km) of trails where you can walk and explore. You can also see cool art made from natural materials. These art pieces are called eco-art. Some art stays there all the time, and some changes throughout the year. The conservancy also runs fun art and nature programs for everyone in the community. The park is named after Teaneck Creek, a stream that flows through it and into Overpeck Creek.

Park History

The Teaneck Creek Conservancy was started in 2001. Local people who cared about nature, art, and teaching worked together. They wanted to save this land from being built on. With help from community leaders and the Bergen County Parks Department, Teaneck Creek Park opened in 2006. It had trails, an outdoor classroom, and eco-art. Since then, more people have joined the conservancy. It has also grown its programs and is now a well-known eco-art park.

History Trails

The park offers a special "Living Lesson" video series. This online tour helps you learn about the park's history. You can watch the 22-minute video online. Or, you can scan QR codes found at different spots in the park. The tour tells stories from hundreds of years ago. It also talks about plans for the future of the creek. This project was made possible by grants from local and state groups.

Eco-Art in the Park

The Teaneck Creek Conservancy often asks artists to create eco-art. These art pieces are shown throughout the year. Some are permanent, and some are temporary.

The Five Pipes Project

Years ago, during the building of Interstate 95 and I-80, lots of concrete was dumped here. Five huge concrete drainage pipes were left behind. They were too big to move without causing a lot of damage. These pipes were covered in graffiti and reminded people of the past pollution.

In 2008, the conservancy asked an artist named Eduardo Aleander Rabel to help. He led volunteers, including students, to paint murals inside and outside the pipes. Each pipe's mural shows a different time in American history. They start with Native Americans and go all the way to the 21st century. The Five Pipes Project was finished and opened in October 2009.

The Turtle Peace Labyrinth

In 2003, Ariane Burgess was asked to create a peaceful spot in the park. She worked with artist Rick Mills and hundreds of volunteers. They turned a messy area full of vines and trash into the Turtle Peace Labyrinth. This project was finished in 2004.

The labyrinth was built using concrete pieces found right there in the park. These pieces were moved and arranged in a maze shape. It looks like the back of a turtle. This design honors the Lenape people's creation story. In 2017, a new fence was built around the labyrinth by artist David Robinson.

The Harmony Garden

The Harmony Garden was created by Erika and Elizabeth Herman. They are students from Teaneck. This project used recycled and natural materials. They made musical instruments from these materials. The garden combines a love for music with caring for the environment. Visitors can scan QR codes to learn about each instrument. They can find out how it was made and what materials were used.

Park Sustainability

The Teaneck Creek Conservancy works hard to be sustainable. This means they try to protect the environment for the future.

The Jack Flamholz Water Project

This project helps collect rainwater. It uses a special system from Israel. This was one of the first times such a system was used on the East Coast. It was designed by Amir Yachelli. Six rain barrels are at Hawthorne Elementary School in Teaneck. Two more are at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy. In 2018, artist Scott Furman painted murals about water on the barrels at the conservancy.

Park Flora

Here are some of the trees you can find at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy:

Park Fauna

Here are some of the animals you might see at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy:

Gallery