Woodland Park, in Passaic County, New Jersey is small—just 3.115 square miles—and is bordered by Little Falls, Clifton, Totowa, and Paterson. As of 2017, the borough’s population was 12,834.
Located southwest of the city of Paterson, it is a highly developed municipality, with a mixture of residential, retail, office, and industrial properties. There’s plenty of nature in Woodland Park as well, as the borough borders Garret Mountain on the east and the Passaic River on the west.
Woodland Park was originally known as West Paterson. However, in November 2008 the citizens of West Paterson voted to change the name of the borough to Woodland Park, in reference to the community’s wooded areas.
Businesses in Woodland Park, NJ
The North Jersey Media Group, originally headquartered in Hackensack, is the parent company of The Record, Herald News, and Daily Record, North Jersey’s daily newspapers; and publishes dozens of weekly local papers. Starting in 1999, the company began relocating Herald News staff and eventually the full operation to Woodland Park in 2016.
Another major presence in Woodland Park is Cytec Industries, which specializes in chemicals and materials technology.
Route 46 has strip malls, restaurants, auto dealers, and other businesses.
Woodland Park real estate
The average home value in Woodland Park is $375,000. Buyers can choose from smaller, classic older houses to large seven-bedroom homes, multi-family properties, condominiums, and contemporary townhomes, with prices ranging from $225,000 up to $749,000.
Woodland Park schools
The Woodland Park School District educates about 1600 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in:
- Charles Olbon School (Kindergarten – 2)
- Beatrice Gilmore School (3 & 4)
- Memorial Middle School (5 – 8)
Students attend Passaic Valley Regional High School in Little Falls with those from Little Falls Township and Totowa.
The Garrett Mountain campus of Berkeley College is located in Woodland Park.
Transportation in Woodland Park
Woodland Park contains 33.47 miles of roadways. Interstate 80, Route 46, and Route 3 run through the borough. NJ Transit provides bus service on the 191 and 194 routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
Recreation/activities
Garrett Mountain Reservation is a huge county park located in Woodland Park, 500 feet above sea level. One of several National Natural Landmarks in New Jersey, it covers 568 acres and offers miles of hiking and walking/running trails, grass fields, basketball courts, picnic areas, fishing in Barbour’s Pond, and horseback riding at the equestrian center. Many high school cross-country races are held there in the fall. The woodland oasis is also a stopover point for many dozens of species of migrating songbirds, making it a birdwatching hot spot. Famous Lambert Castle, once the home of a Paterson silk baron, is at Garrett Mountain Reservation and now houses the Passaic County Museum.
Another well-known park is Rifle Camp Park, a 225-acres county park. Most of it is located in Woodland Park, with a small portion in Clifton. This park has hiking trails, a nature center, fitness trails, and is a perfect place for people to meditate or go bird watching. Rifle Camp Park served as a location where Washington’s troops could observe British movements during the Revolutionary War in 1780.
The Recreation and Community Relations Committee oversees organized sports and civic programs in the Borough. Some activities include: Easter breakfast and Easter egg hunt, 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Senior Valentines Dance, Memorial Day Parade, Street Fair on McBride Ave., a fishing contest, and many summer concerts.
Famous People associated with Woodland Park
- Rick Cerone, a former New York Yankees catcher
- Kevin Hamilton, a defensive tackle for the New York Giants.
- Natalia Shaposhnikova, former Soviet gymnast and two-time Olympic champion
- Abe Vigoda, famous actor
For more information on Woodland Park, NJ visit: http://www.wpnj.us/
