Two Passaic River fishing weirs, used by North Jersey's indigenous peoples in pre-Colonial times, will soon be recognized for their historical significance. The commemoration will start with the placement of a stone marker by Fair Lawn officials this weekend. The pair of stone and wood enclosures are the last known remnants of 19 weirs built along the river by local Native Americans centuries ago, said Wendy Dabney, chairperson of the borough’s Environmental Commission. The V-shaped designs funneled fish into catch points where they could be more easily harvested.
Today, only two exist, both in Fair Lawn. One is slightly north of the Fair Lawn Avenue Bridge, while a second, harder-to-spot one is submerged in water near the Memorial Park Boat Ramp.
Always interested in the Passaic River, Dabney wanted to draw people’s attention to it in a positive way. She felt it was especially important to highlight indigenous sites, as many of the historical spots are overlooked.
“There are really no blue markers commemorating indigenous sites,” Dabney said. “Everything’s about the Revolutionary War and the Dutch and English.”
That will change a bit with a ceremony Sunday afternoon, organized in partnership with the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program, which trains local volunteers to help with conservation. At 1 p.m. at the Memorial Park Pavilion along Fair Lawn's Avenue of Heroes, Mayor Gail Rottenstrich will offer a land acknowledgement, to be followed by the dedication of a boulder and plaque to commemorate the weir.
“I believe, especially during this time when we are also marking the formal establishment of Fair Lawn 100 years ago and will be soon marking the 250th anniversary of our country, that we pay respect to those who came before us,” said Rottenstrich. “We honor their memory by committing to be respectful stewards of the land going forward.”
Afterward, the River of God Paddling service will lead kayak tours. The tours will ride from the boat launch near the underwater weir to the visible weir above the Fair Lawn Avenue Bridge, according to Dabney.
More: Fair Lawn wants to turn historic home into community center, cafe, bike stop
The borough is providing the property, boulder and plaque for the lower, submerged weir. Dabney praised Rottenstrich, the town council and Borough Manager Kurt Peluso for their support.
She and resident Reina Valenzuela, who are both Rutgers Environmental stewards, had been collecting letters of support for a marker for the weir by the Fair Lawn Avenue Bridge. They approached the town about it and were told the town could pay for a stone marker for the one closer to the boat ramp.
About two months ago, Dabney said she and Valenzuela contacted Michaeline Mann of the Munsee Lenape Turtle Clan, who advised the town about the history of indigenous weirs and how to memorialize them.
“We don’t want it to become an attractive nuisance, but we wanted it to be somewhat more set apart so that it’s a more contemplative space,” said Dabney.
She worked with the town’s Green Team and Shade Tree Commission to pick a spot near the boat launch for a meditation grove next to the stone marker. The weir itself is mostly submerged, now that a dam has raised water levels in the river.
The stone structure is not completely lost, however. Dabney said she and Valenzuela were surprised to see how much was still visible when they scouted the spot in August.
“Miraculously, the weir was appearing,” said Dabney. “The water was low enough… There were geese and they were swimming in an outline along the weir.”
Dabney and Valenzuela hope to eventually honor the second weir as well, with a more traditional blue marker from the Bergen County Historic Preservation Trust Fund . Dabney plans to apply next month. If approved, a sign could be up by spring.
Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: noda@northjersey.com
Twitter: @snoda11
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fair Lawn will honor Passaic River fishing weir where indigenous peoples left their mark
Local News
Comments / 0