A Wonderful Fun, Free Activity for Kids in New Jersey: Richard DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst

In these penny-pinching times, I suspect that I'm not the only one who is always looking for free places to bring my kid. Tooling around the shopping mall is okay once in a while, and goodness knows we go to the library often enough, but sometimes my son and I just need something a little bigger and more exciting.

Richard DeKorte Park fits the bill perfectly. At first glance, it doesn't seem like a place for toddlers or even older kids. Located at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza in Lyndhurst, NJ, this 110-acre park is actually situated on an old, illegal landfill that has been transformed thanks to the hard work of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. It's quite possibly the oddest juxtaposition of the natural and manmade worlds I've ever seen. Set against a backdrop of the New York City skyline and the busy highways of New Jersey, this park boasts long, winding walkways that actually take you into the reedy, boggy waters that are home to all kinds of wildlife (more on that in a minute).

You have your choice of trails, all of them relatively short, and all of them stroller-friendly. I particularly like the Marsh Discovery trail, which takes you right out into the water via a raised, railed trail. There are several bird blinds along the walk, as well as plenty of benches for the weary and even a few little pavilions set right in amongst the reeds. The Transco Trail is another nice one. I believe it runs right over some sort of important pipeline. For toddlers who are just learning to walk, the very short Shore Walk trail is a safe bet. It offers a relatively smooth brick path with lots of twists and turns for little explorers. The Kingsland Overlook, which was transformed from a trash heap into a woodland wonderland, is a remarkable little forest complete with its own trails (be warned, there are some uphill climbs on this one).

Perhaps the best part of DeKorte Park (besides it being free, of course) is the wildlife. This park attracts hundreds of species of migrating birds, some of which you probably would never see elsewhere. We have seen everything from cranes and egrets to tiny swallows to a pair of really remarkable owls who would fly during the day. That's not to mention all the other animals, too, including muskrats, turtles, snakes, fish (huge trout-like things sometimes hang out here), and crabs.

The Meadowlands Commission has a small museum and art gallery on site, and there's a gift shop that's open on rare occasions. More importantly, bathrooms and vending machines are also inside.

In sum, DeKorte Park is a hidden treasure in an unlikely location. It's a perfect free toddler trip for all seasons!