{{short description|Park in New Jersey}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox park | name = Van Saun County Park | image = | image_caption = | location = [[Paramus, New Jersey]] and [[River Edge, New Jersey]] | area = 130 acres<ref>{{cite web |title=Van Saun County Park |url=https://co.bergen.nj.us/parks-recreation-areas/van-saun-county-park?adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=4B440D11DF804426B1CF8432C255B2EA |website=co.bergen.nj.us |access-date=10 August 2022}}</ref> | created = {{start date and age|1960}} | public_transit = {{rint|njt|60px}} {{bus icon|12px}} [[NJ Transit]] bus: 168, 752 | owner = Bergen County Department of Parks | website = {{URL|https://bergencountynj.gov/bergen-county-department-of-parks/van-saun-county-park/}} }} '''Van Saun County Park''' is a park in [[Paramus, New Jersey|Paramus]] and [[River Edge, New Jersey]] operated by the [[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen County]] Parks Department. The park is home to the '''Bergen County Zoological Park''', open all year round and charging admission from May to October. The zoo features a [[Ridable miniature railway#Large amusement railways|ridable miniature railroad]] known as the Safari Express. In addition, the park features picnic areas, a baseball field, a softball field, basketball and tennis courts, a soccer field, a playground, a [[carousel]], and pony rides. The park was originally a farm owned by the Van Saun family. <ref name="Historical Sites">{{cite web |title=Historic Sites |url=https://bergencountynj.gov/bergen-county-department-of-parks/historic-sites/ |website=bergencountynj.gov |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
The park, including the zoo, was slated for a major expansion as of 2016, which would nearly double the size of the zoo from {{convert|12 to 23|acre|ha}} and significantly diversify its population of animal [[species]], as well as add an [[ice-skating rink]] and expand automobile parking capacity at the park by hundreds of spaces.<ref name="Todd South">{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/plan-would-double-size-of-bergen-county-zoo-over-next-15-years-1.1612519|title=Plan would double size of Bergen County Zoo over next 15 years|author=Todd South|publisher=North Jersey Media Group|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2016}}</ref>
==History== Before it was a park, [[George Washington]] watered his [[horse]] in a spring within the land in 1780 during the [[Continental Army|Continental Army's]] occupation of the area. This led the spring to become a historic site within the park. <ref name="Historical Sites" />
In 1957, Bergen County purchased the farm from the Van Saun family. <ref name="Historical Sites" />
The zoo opened in 1960. Its railroad, the Van Saun Park Railroad, was first built in 1963 and features three trains: the 388 train, which accompanied the opening, the 389 train, purchased in 1968, and the 520, added to the lineup in 1971. The train models are Iron Horse S-24 {{Track gauge|2ft|lk=on}} [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] trains by the [[Allan Herschell Company]]. The train is open all week between April and October, weather permitting. The train passengers view the many different attractions in the zoo while going through railroad crossings and a tunnel. The train is also open during the Bergen County's Winter Wonderland event, which runs from November through January.
In 2000, a carousel was built, featuring horses and other zoo animals as seats. It is open from every day through April and October, weather permitting. It is also open during Bergen County's Winter Wonderland event, which runs from November through January. The carousel has been controversial due to concerns over the owner's lack of insurance.<ref name="carousel1"/><ref name="carousel2"/> Ever since the Golden Horse Carousel at [[Paramus Park]] closed in 2013 and the Venetian Carousel at [[Garden State Plaza]] closed in 2016, this carousel at Van Saun Park is the last remaining operating carousel in the entire borough of [[Paramus]].
In addition, pony rides are available at Van Saun Park from April to October. Riders are taken around a small track where the pony is pulled by an employee.<ref name=VanSaunBergenCountyPark>{{cite web |title=Van Saun County Park |url=https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/parks-recreation-areas/van-saun-county-park?adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=0484E28295864560BA405E265D9ACBD8 |website=co.bergen.nj.us |access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref>
The park has Harmony Playground with a water sprinkler which is open seasonally, and soccer, softball, and baseball fields which are open all year round.<ref name=VanSaunBergenCountyPark/>
In 2013, Van Saun opened up a dog park, consisting of one area for smaller dogs and another area for larger dogs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dog run opening at Van Saun Park in Paramus|url=http://northernhighlands.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/dog-run-opening-at-van-saun-park-in-paramus/630955/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307153000/http://northernhighlands.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/dog-run-opening-at-van-saun-park-in-paramus/630955/|archive-date=March 7, 2016|last=DeMarco|first=Jerry|date=June 28, 2013|work=Northern Highlands Daily Voice}}</ref>
As of 2016, plans were made to expand the zoo, which would nearly double its size from 12 to 23 acres and significantly diversify its population of animal [[species]].<ref name="Todd South"/>
The zoo was the location of [[Sal Vulcano|Sal's]] punishment in the Season 5 episode of the [[Impractical Jokers]] TV series entitled "Ruffled Feathers" in 2016. <ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5502990/locations/?ref_=tt_dt_loc "Impractical Jokers" Ruffled Feathers (TV Episode 2016) - Filming & production] ''IMDB.com''. Accessed February 24, 2026</ref>
==Annual events==
The park has some annual events which typically occur in October. ''Zoo Boo'' is an event held around [[Halloween]], including trick-or-treating in the park, ghost stories, and magic shows. The park's train provides evening rides during this event, where actors in costumes try to scare guests.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/riverdell/boo-at-the-zoo-at-van-saun-county-park|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=July 4, 2015|last=Piccirillo|first=Ann|work=River Dell Patch|title=Boo at the Zoo at Van Saun County Park}}</ref> Also around Halloween is the ''Metro Howl-O-Ween Bassett Bash'', during which many [[Basset Hound]]s dress up in different costumes for Halloween and participate in trick-or-treating and contests. It has been held annually since 1997 and is hosted by the Metro Basset Hound Club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.northjersey.com/jerseydog/9415/metro-basset-hound-club-to-hold-metro-howl-o-ween-basset-bash-on-sun-oct-20/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027193154/http://blog.northjersey.com/jerseydog/9415/metro-basset-hound-club-to-hold-metro-howl-o-ween-basset-bash-on-sun-oct-20/|title=Metro Basset Hound Club to hold Metro Howl-O-Ween Basset Bash on Sun., Oct. 20|work=NorthJersey.com|access-date=July 5, 2015|archive-date=October 27, 2013}}</ref> In addition, the ''Art in the Park'' event is also held annually in October. Artists are judged on their artwork, with the potential to receive cash prizes. Afterward, there is a concert.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/index.aspx?nid=892|title=Art in the Park Show & Concert|access-date=July 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301062155/https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/index.aspx?nid=892|archive-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>
The park also holds events in the [[Christmas]] winter season, notably ''Winter Wonderland'', an annual event held from November–January with a holiday theme. The event has attractions including an outdoor ice rink, a beer garden, the Santa's North Pole Workshop, and food and drink stands. The trains and carousel are operational during the event if weather permits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bergencountywinterwonderland.com/|title=Bergen County's Winter Wonderland|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> Also in December the Holiday with the Animals event. Guests can visit to Santa Claus and see the animals open up presents from Santa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bergen.com/family/featured/holiday-party-santa-visits-the-bergen-county-zoo-at-van-saun-park-in-paramus-1.792175?photo=3&c=y|title=Holiday Party: Santa visits the Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun Park in Paramus|work=Bergen.com|access-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023150/http://www.bergen.com/family/featured/holiday-party-santa-visits-the-bergen-county-zoo-at-van-saun-park-in-paramus-1.792175?photo=3&c=y|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20081212161517658|title=Holiday Carousel Rides & Photos With Santa At Van Saun Park|work=The Paramus Post|access-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185511/https://paramuspost.com/article.php/20081212161517658|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
The park holds its own annual Easter Egg Hunt, the ''Van Saun Park Easter Egg Hunt''. Following the egg hunt, there is storytelling and crafts for the children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.njfamily.com/NJ-Family/Calendar/index.php/name/Van-Saun-Park-Easter-Egg-Hunt/event/12483/|title=Van Saun Park Easter Egg Hunt|access-date=July 5, 2015|work=New Jersey Family|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225412/https://www.njfamily.com/NJ-Family/Calendar/index.php/name/Van-Saun-Park-Easter-Egg-Hunt/event/12483/|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
==Incidents== In 1990, an [[ocelot]] seriously injured a boy at the zoo by biting one of his hands. Three years later, another ocelot attacked another boy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22679471.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104195900/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22679471.html|title=Two Ocelot Attacks at Zoo Reported in Three Years |access-date=December 20, 2015|archive-date=November 4, 2012|date=October 9, 1993|last=Markowitz|first=Michael}}</ref>
==Public transportation== The park provides public transportation from [[NJ Transit Bus Operations|New Jersey Transit bus lines]] [[168 (New Jersey bus)|168]] & [[752 (New Jersey bus)|752]]. The 752 does not provide services on Sundays.
==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:Van Saun Park Train.jpg|The Van Saun Park 520 train, one of the three trains used in the park. File:Van Saun Park Carousel.jpg|The Van Saun Park carousel. File:Van Saun Park Zoo Front Entrance.jpg|The front entrance to the Van Saun Park zoo. File:The Ice Rink at Van Saun Winter Wonderland.jpg|The ice rink at Van Saun Park during the Winter Wonderland event. </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist |refs=
<ref name="carousel1"> {{cite news |first=Shannon D. |last=Harrington |title=Carousel contract taking county for ride, Democrats say |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-83795277.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021042550/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-83795277.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |publisher=[[Bergen Record]] |date=September 30, 2003 |access-date=September 25, 2010 }} </ref>
<ref name="carousel2"> {{cite news |first=Shannon D. |last=Harrington |title=County stops park carousel over owner's lack of insurance |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-102186986.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021042539/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-102186986.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |publisher=[[Bergen Record]] |date=November 6, 2004 |access-date=September 25, 2010 }} </ref>
}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bergen-county-zoo/zoo-main}} (Bergen County Zoo) {{Paramus, New Jersey}} {{Zoos of New Jersey}}
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[[Category:Paramus, New Jersey]] [[Category:Parks in Bergen County, New Jersey]] [[Category:River Edge, New Jersey]] [[Category:Zoos in New Jersey]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Bergen County, New Jersey]] [[Category:Sports in Bergen County, New Jersey]] [[Category:County parks in New Jersey]]