Plan Your Trip

All school, scout, and summer camp programs are held in the Meadowlands Environment Center’s Science Center located within DeKorte Park.  To ensure safety, the Science Center is not open to the public.  Any chaperone attending a program must have prior consent from their school or group administrator.  

Location

3 DeKorte Park Plaza
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

Phone: 201-460-8300

Directions

From the NJ Turnpike:

Take exit 16W to Route 3 West. Take Route 3 West to Route 17 South (Lyndhurst Exit). Follow around the ramp to the traffic light (Quality Inn will be on your left). Make a left onto Polito Avenue. Continue to the end of Polito Avenue. At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left).   The Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices. The third building, across from the administrative offices, is the Science Center and Observatory.

From the Garden State Parkway:

From the Parkway North, take Exit 153A; or from the Parkway South, take Exit 153 to Route 3 East. Follow Route 3 East to the 2nd Route 17 South Exit (the sign will read: Route 17 South/Lyndhurst – Service Road). At the end of the exit ramp there will be a traffic light, and the Quality Inn will be directly across the street to your left. Go straight through the intersection onto Polito Avenue. Continue to the end of Polito Avenue. At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left).   The Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices. The third building, across from the administrative offices, is the Science Center and Observatory.

From New York: George Washington Bridge

Follow signs for the NJ Turnpike. Take Turnpike exit 16W to Route 3 West. Take Route 3 West to Route 17 South (Lyndhurst Exit). Follow around the ramp to the traffic light (Quality Inn will be on your left). Make a left onto Polito Avenue. Continue to the end of Polito Avenue. At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left).  The Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices. The third building, across from the administrative offices, is the Science Center and Observatory.

From New York: Lincoln Tunnel

Follow exit ramp on left for Route 495 at Route 3. Take Route 3 West to Route 17 South (Lyndhurst Exit). Follow around the ramp to the traffic light (Quality Inn will be on your left). Make a left onto Polito Avenue.Continue to the end of Polito Avenue. At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left).   The Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices. The third building, across from the administrative offices, is the Science Center and Observatory.

From New York: Holland Tunnel or From Jersey City (downtown)

From the tunnel, follow signs for Route 1&9 (left ramp). Take 2nd exit for Route 280, Route 1&9, and Kearny. Exit onto Route 7 (Belleville Turnpike). Follow Route 7 to first traffic light in North Arlington (CVS will be on your right). At light make a right onto Schuyler Avenue. Follow to end, and the road makes a sharp left at the Schuyler Diner.
Take the first right onto Orient Way (you will see a sign for NJ Turnpike). Go to the first traffic light and make a right onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow directions above from Valley Brook Avenue. The third building, across from the administrative offices, is the Science Center and Observatory.

From Newark:

Route 21 North to Exit for Route 3 (East/West). Follow signs for Route 3 East. You will come off exit and be on Route 3 heading East. Stay in the right lane and you will pass exits for Park Ave., Ridge Road, and the third exit will be Route 17 South/Service Road. Take this exit and continue straight onto Polito Avenue. Take to the first STOP sign and make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left).   The Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices. The third building, across from the administrative offices, is the Science Center and Observatory.

From Northern Bergen County:

Take Route 17 South; cross over Route 3 (divided highway ends after Route 3) to the first traffic light (Quality Inn will be on your left). Make a left onto Polito – At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left).   The Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices. The third building, across from the administrative offices, is the Science Center and Observatory.

De Korte Park is open to the public from dawn until dusk, 7 days a week.

The Environment Center and the Center for Environmental and Scientific Education are not open to the public.  For hours of operation, please refer to your program confirmation or call 201-460-8300.

Front Desk: 201-460-8300

Fax: 201-842-0630

De Korte Park Trail Guide

There is no charge to park within De Korte Park.  

Portable restrooms are located in the front parking lot.

We will not have a park attendant in the morning at the front guard booth to direct the school buses; therefore, all teachers attending the program need to:

1. Keep all students on the bus until a member of our staff greets you and tells you where to proceed.  You may be directed to another building and having your children automatically unload will cause an unnecessary change in the scheduled time of your educational program and the activities that can be covered.

2. Please have your bus form completed.  This will be emailed one week prior; however, the form can be found here: 

   1. Bus Information Form (Print, complete & bring with you: 

   2. Online Bus Information Form (complete online, save, & print to bring or email)

3. Check in at the front desk to provide final payment and obtain a receipt.

Example of schedule:

9:15 am | Arrival time and check-in with receptionist for balance of payment due

9:30 am until 11:30 am | 2 hours of program activities

11:30 am until 12:00 pm | Lunch break

12:00 pm until 2:00 pm | 2 hours of program activities

* Please note times may vary slightly depending on grade level

We are able to run up to 5 classes per day (125 students); therefore, it is important to be running on schedule as it could affect other schools here on the same day as your class.  If, due to your school schedule or transportation needs, you are unable to arrive on time or must depart earlier than 2:00 pm, please indicate your needs when registering or call us at 201-460-8300 to discuss as soon as possible.

You may select one or two programs for your field trip. We will do our best to complete all programs during the length of your visit.

We do not have a gift shop; therefore, it is not necessary for students to bring money for their field trip.