Little Ferry: Nature, Recreation and History

Little Ferry combines natural and recreational spaces with a local history that can be traced through the former ferry crossing over the Hackensack River. Losen Slote Creek Park features a protected lowland forest and meadow area, a nature trail, and various recreational facilities. Other sites include Gethsemane Cemetery, Lakeview Park, and the Little Ferry Free Public Library. If you’re looking for accommodations in Little Ferry, these places offer different themes to help you plan your stay: nature and relaxation, local history, or community resources.

Nature and Recreation at Losen Slote Creek Park

Losen Slote Creek Park is a protected lowland forest and meadow area covering 28 acres in Little Ferry. The park includes a nature trail and seating areas. The landscape comprises forest and meadow; the trail focuses on nature education, while the seating areas provide places to relax. The park is therefore defined both by its landscape and by the specific visitor amenities it offers.

The recreational area includes a two-acre playground, a full-size roller hockey rink, and an educational and recreational area with outdoor classrooms. The offerings range from play and roller hockey to outdoor activities, giving the area a distinct focus in addition to the nature trail and seating areas. The acreage figures refer to different areas: the protected site covers 28 acres, while the playground within it covers two acres.

Fishing is also associated with the area: Lakeview Park is identified as a place to fish in Little Ferry.

Ferry History and Historic Sites

During the colonial period, Little Ferry was the site of an important ferry connection between the regional communities of Bergen and Hackensack. The cable-drawn Little Ferry crossed the Hackensack River from 1659 to 1826; the community was named after this ferry. The connection reflects regional exchange between Bergen and Hackensack, while the name directly references the river crossing. This makes it possible to understand the community’s name and the historic ferry crossing together, without confusing them with a present-day ferry service.

Gethsemane Cemetery is a historic African American cemetery owned by the county. It covers one acre and is located west of the Hackensack River in Little Ferry. The cemetery was listed on the state and national registers of historic places because of its significant role in the development of early civil rights legislation in New Jersey. Its history connects the site itself with African American history and the development of civil rights legislation in the state.

Library and Practical Information

A wheelchair-accessible ramp is located at the Little Ferry Free Public Library, next to the entrance and near the parking lot. Street parking and a municipal parking lot across the street are available for visitors. The ramp’s location at the entrance and the two parking options are useful landmarks if you plan to visit the library.

The library offers programs for children of all ages, as well as for adults and seniors. If you plan to attend a specific program, check the current schedule in advance. The Little Ferry Local History Mural can be seen in the library’s reference room. If you would like to see it, ask about access to the reference room before your visit.

Discover more destinations: East Rutherford, Mahwah, Fort Lee, Rutherford, Hasbrouck Heights, Ramsey, Ridgefield Park, Saddle River.

For the broader travel overview: Bergen.