G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve (formerly known as Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve) — Attraction in North Haledon

WARNING: The main entrance has been closed since Covid due to over crowding (not that the town would admit this... but I pass through once a week and have seen this place evolve). For people looking to get out on the water with a kayak or whatever? Good luck. Hikers and Bikers? Much easier route. You can park in the back of the Church parking lot on Ewing Ave or the side street before the (blocked) entrance on High Mountain Road (on your right just past the Temple). The place is always insanely clean and beautiful. The trail around the lake is easy level wise but there is a TON of roots so watch your step in many areas. The highlight of the trail is where there are floating docks to cross the lake on the Ewing Ave side (the trails on that side are also easier - sometimes muddy though and there is a nice bridge with a stream also). There are local swans and ducks to check out... the occasional cormorant... sometimes you catch a turtle sunning on the banks of the trail. This is not always the most quiet/intimate of spots as there is a pretty steady stream of traffic on Ewing and High Mountain Road... Be a good steward, keep the place clean... plus if you are hungry the two supermarkets within 5 minutes are both outstanding (The Fresh Grocer, North Haledon and The Market Basket in Franklin Lakes)... Market Basket is more high end but it is worth...

Main ENTRANCE IS AND HAS BEEN CLOSED OFF DUE TO "BRIDGE DAMAGE". ITS BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS AND STILL NOT FIXED OR REOPENED FROM THAT PARTICULAR ENTRANCE THAT LEADS TO WHERE CARS ARE ALLOWED TO PARK. STREET PARKING ON THE SIDE STREETS IS SCARCE CONFUSING AND A TERRIBLR TASK . Park is beautiful and was built for people to enjoy. WHEN is the BRIDGE GETTING REPAIRED AND WHEN WILL THE CITIZENS BE ABLE TO ACCESS THIS PARK AGAIN?????? THIS IS AN EXTREMELY LONG TIME AND NO TYPE OF WORK BEING DONE! Update: 6/5/25 Since posting this review I have noticed some trucks out there BUT NOTHING IS COMPLETED or zero work is being done... its been months of MILKING THE CLOCK AND SHOULD NOT TAKE YEARS AND MONTHS TO FIX THIS BRIDGE. ITS RIDICULOUS AND PEOPLE ARE BEING PAID TO PARK THE WORK TRUCKS THERE YET NOTHING IS GETTING FIXED... ANOTHER SUMMER OF NO ACCESS THIS WILL BE GOING INTO OVER 2 YEARS OF THIS NONSENSE. TAX PAYER MONEY AT WORK. ITS A SCAM AND NEEDS TO BE...

Absolutely beautiful, amazing and fun the trails are beautiful and clean so you can bring the little kids also. The entrance to the lake is very small and the parking is decent, we always go during the week so we always find the parking but on the weekends it’s a nightmare, unless you take Uber etc, you can walk to different trails or just sit by the lake and relax, you can rent the paddle boat or kayak for very nominal price or bring your own and do it for free, fishing is permitted, swimming is not allowed, portable...