NORTHERN VALLEY
11
NOVEMBER 2022 • NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
Fall fun at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
By Hillary Viders
The Flat Rock Brook Nature Center really knows how to put the “Great” in its Great Fall Festival! On Oct. 16, they hosted their annual event from 1 to 4 p.m and over five hundred Englewood residents and visitors streamed into the scenic nature center on Van Nostrand Avenue in Englewood. Throughout the day, people of all ages, including many families, enjoyed a non-stop arcade of free fun and food and dozens of volunteers and staff kept everything running smoothly. As soon as they entered the center, children headed for the various fun stations, such as the pumpkin decorating table and face painting tables where they were decorated with festive designs. They also crafted head bands
Children have a great time painting pumpkins. to 17 years old and free to children A NATURAL BERGEN under 5, because we want everyCOUNTY TREASURE one to come and see what a great The Flat Rock Brook Nature place this is!” Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supported by dona-
Stephen Wiessner, (last row center) executive director of Flat Rock Brook Association, with volunteers. adorned with feathers. Another popular stop was the photo booth that was set up for scenic photo ops. A highlight of the day was the Raptor Rescue Program conducted by naturalist Bob Farian. He fascinated kids as well as adults with a talk and display of Tillie, an Eastern Screech owl, Tillie and other birds of prey. There was also a fall foliage hike, a scavenger hunt and canoe rides. Live country, blues and swing music was played by the Blue Plate Special Band and a delicious barbecue buffet by Rustic Caterers was served. People flocked to fill their plates with pulled pork, mac and cheese, vegetarian chili, corn bread, and cookies for dessert. Sandy Pinto, Flat Rock Brook Nature Centerʼs Development Director, remarked, “One of the admirable things about the Great Fall Festival is that it is entirely free for members, including the buffet. “Itʼs our way of thanking all the people that support our center and our programs throughout the year. We also make this event very affordable for guests, priced at $10 per adult, $5 for children 6
tions and grants. Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is a 150-acre nature preserve with a 3.6-mile network of self-guiding trails that lead to a cascading stream, wetlands, a
pond, wildflower meadows, quarry cliffs and woodlands. The diversity of the natural landscape allows visitors to observe a remarkable array of birds and other wildlife. Flat Rock Brookʼs trails and picnic area are free and open to the public 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. One of the things that make the Great Fall Festival so successful is the hard work of Executive Director Stephen Wiessner, Pinto and the dedicated staff and Board of Trustees. Wiessner said, “The Great Fall Festival is a wonderful way to celebrate autumn with our friends and neighbors as well as showcase the good work we do at the center. Whether you are interested in our rescue raptors, our environmental programs, or just want to walk in the woods, the
A volunteer helps children make festive headbands.
Susan Klausner, president of the Flat Rock Brook Board of Trustees, helped people get in and out of canoes.
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