Here at Mill Creek Point, can you feel the breeze coming off the Hackensack River? This revitalized riverside park offers a glimpse into the area’s rich history. Mill Creek Point is more than just a pretty spot. It is a testament to environmental recovery.
Mill Creek Point Park is a part of the Mill Creek Enhancement Site. It includes the Mill Creek Marsh. This whole area spans about 225 acres along Mill Creek. Mill Creek is a tributary of the Hackensack River.
The story of Mill Creek Point is one of transformation. Human activity greatly changed this land. This started in the 19th century and continued into the late 20th century. Diking and draining hurt the wetlands. It reduced tidal water flow and killed important plants.
In 1998, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission stepped in. They bought the marsh and started to fix the wetlands. The results have been amazing.
Now, migratory shorebirds flock here. Many kinds of waterfowl breed and feed in the marsh. Thousands of Green-winged Teal have been spotted. Herons, egrets, and cormorants fish in the water. Raptors like hawks and osprey soar above Mill Creek Point.
The Mill Creek site has two large impoundments. There are also channels, mudflats, and upland areas. You can explore the Mill Creek Marsh by foot or by boat.
On the north side is Mill Creek Point. This is a 3-acre park. It has information kiosks that tell the story of Mill Creek. They explain how the marsh was brought back to life. There is also a riverfront walkway to enjoy the view. Picnic tables and benches invite you to relax. A small watercraft launch provides access to the Mill Creek Canoe Trail. You can also reach the Hackensack River from here.
Mill Creek Point is a popular spot for fishing. People come to catch and release striped bass. White perch and other gamefish are also found here.
Along the Mill Creek Walking Trail, look for the “forest of stumps”. These cedar stumps show that the Meadowlands was once a freshwater swamp. It was covered by Atlantic white cedar trees. European colonization changed the land. Logging went on for centuries. The Oradell Dam was completed in 1923. This allowed saltwater to flow into the river. The saltwater killed the remaining cedar trees. Common reed then spread across the Meadowlands.
Unexpectedly, the wetlands project at Mill Creek Marsh unearthed many cedar stumps. Some of these stumps are hundreds of years old.
Keep an eye out for Green-winged Teal in open water. They often hide near the phragmites for protection. Other waterfowl here include American Black Duck, Bufflehead, and Common Mergansers. You might also see Northern Shoveler.
The Mill Creek Point site can be windy and cold. However, it offers views of the Marsh Resources across the river. Look for hunting raptors. Peregrine Falcons and Red-tailed Hawks are often seen.
In spring, songbirds arrive from the south. Listen for their songs. Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows dart over the water. This site is part of the Tree Swallow Nest Box Project. Look for warblers, vireos, and Red-winged Blackbirds along the trail.
Herons, egrets, and terns perch on the cedar stumps. Double-crested Cormorants also visit. They roost on old dock pilings on the Hackensack River near Mill Creek Point. Herons from Schmidt’s Woods come here to feed. You might spot fish, blue crab, or Atlantic marsh fiddler crab. Snapping turtles and diamond-back terrapin also live here.
Watch for insects and their larva in the plants. Don’t miss the Belted Kingfishers. They fly across Mill Creek and make a machine gun-like call.
The open space along the Hackensack River attracts migrating birds and monarch butterflies. Thousands of shorebirds pass through. Falcons often follow them. Waterfowl return in the fall for the winter. The channels and tidal ditches of Mill Creek Marsh offer shelter. Green-winged Teals, Ruddy Ducks, and Common Mergansers gather here. Many dabbling ducks also visit.
From a trash incinerator to a revitalized park, Mill Creek Point offers a unique story. It’s a story of loss but also of recovery. It shows what can happen when people care for nature.