History

Dunham Trail is a 1.75-acre park featuring a 1/4-mile peaceful walking trail along the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, stretching between Grove Street and Spring Avenue. The trail features beautiful views of the brook, with its two small dams and sandstone wall, many birds and mammals in an area thick with trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

Part of the narrow strip of land along the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook was donated to the Village in 1921 by Dr. Charles D. Silleck.  A portion of the park had been used in 1917, during the First World War, to plant 1/8 acre of onions by the Village Farm Committee, which was part of the 81 acres of crops planted in Ridgewood. Sometime after her death in 1959, the park was named for Dr. Anna (or Ann) Dunham who was born in 1911 in Albany but lived in or maintained a home in Ridgewood for 60 years. The Association in cooperation with the Village and the Board of Education promotes the preservation and maintenance of undeveloped, Village-owned land, and provides nature education services and enjoyment for all Village residents and friends.  

Additional Info 

Dr. Dunham was a 1932 graduate of Wellesley College and received her PhD from Cornell University in 1944.  She taught at several colleges, including Smith and Colby, but always maintained her ties with Ridgewood.  Miss Dunham was a consultant to Ridgewood schools with the outdoor education program.  “She delighted in teaching youngsters to understand and appreciate the bounty of nature and was rewarded by their enthusiastic response to her equally enthusiastic instruction.”  She is remembered by this park and by the Ridgewood Wildscape Association, which was founded in 1976 as a living memorial to her. Provided by Sarah Keifer of Bolger Heritage Center (Ridgewood Library). 

Dogs are permitted and must have adequate collars, with leashes no longer than 6 feet in length. Please clean up after your dog.