Hackensack, NJ

Hackensack, New Jersey, was once dubbed by Dutch and French settlers as "New Barbadoes," but the township was restored to its original Lenni-Lenape Native American name, "Hacquinsacq," in 1921. It is the seat of Bergen County and is home to approximately 43,000 residents. With its close proximity to New York City, Hackensack is an ideal bedroom community for commuters.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Health care is a prominent industry in Hackensack, as the city is home to the Hackensack University Medical Center. The center is one of New Jersey's top employers and the state's largest provider of inpatient and outpatient care.

Other notable industries are education, finance and insurance. First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey and I.D. Systems, Inc. are both headquartered in the city.

Many Hackensack residents commute to Manhattan for work, or to companies in nearby New Jersey cities.

FAMILY FUN

• Foschini Park holds the town's Fourth of July fireworks celebration. It also hosts many community concerts, ethnic celebrations, cultural events, and is the home of the semi-pro baseball team, The Troasts. Foschini offers residents nearly a dozen ball fields (one with lights and bleachers), and a concession stand at the Field House.
• The Green was given to the city in the 1600s and has become the location of the Annual Tree Lighting, Veterans Day Memorial service, and the Arts Show.
• Johnson Park offers greenhouses, a baseball field, lighted tennis courts, and a volleyball court.
• Staib Park hosts the annual Easter Egg Hunt. It also offers golfing, baseball fields, basketball courts, a field house, and a playground equipped for handicapped visitors.
• Baldwin Park offers a hockey/roller rink, which is turned into an ice skating rink in the winter. Visitors can also enjoy Baldwin's softball field and playground.
• Carver Park hosts a basketball league and is the location of many Park and Recreation programs.
• Columbus Park is the home of the annual Columbus Day celebration. It also features a walking track, a hockey/roller rink, a baseball field, swings, and a model boat for kids.
• Union Street Park boasts a beautiful mural of the New York City marathon. The park also includes picnic areas and a playground
• Anderson Park is a historic village featuring the Anderson Street train and several beautiful fountains.

EVENTS

• Latin American Art and Craft Show is held at the Hackensack Recreation Center and celebrates art from Mexico and Central and South America.
• Free Concerts at the Johnson Public Library offers residents free classical music by professionals, as well as various student recitals.
• Blue and Gold Annual Beefsteak Dinner is an evening of food and live entertainment sponsored by the Hackensack Blue and Gold Scholarship Fund.

EDUCATION

• Fairleigh Dickinson University is a four-year college where students can earn bachelor's degrees in a number of fields. The university also offers master's and doctoral degree programs. A residential college, many students live on campus and participate in athletics, activities, and clubs. Fairleigh Dickinson offers financial aid options as well as online courses.
• Parisian Beauty Academy is a Paul Mitchell partner school, where students receive training as hairstylists and cosmetologists. The academy also offers continuing education programs for licensed cosmetologists.

FOR VISITORS

• New Jersey Naval Museum displays the World War II submarine, USS Ling. In addition to tours of the submarine, the museum features educational opportunities and assorted events.
• First Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1696 and is the oldest church in Bergen County. It has remained in the same location, next to the church's cemetery, since it was first constructed.
• The Cultural Arts Center offers residents the opportunity to enjoy art, plays, musicals, lectures, concerts, and standup comedy.

GETTING AROUND

• Anderson Street Station serves points north and south of Hackensack and stops at the Hoboken Terminal. This train also has connections via the Secaucus Junction that take passengers to New York's Penn Station.
• Essex Street Station is a small stopping point and offers train service to points south of Hackensack.
• Port Authority Bus Terminal offers four routes and two transfer locations for commuters.
• Passaic-Bergen Rail Line, which was developed to offer passengers service on the New York, Susquehanna, and Western Railway, has two stops in Hackensack.

SHOPPING

• The Shops at Riverside is an upscale plaza with department stores Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as high-end specialty stores like Tiffany & Co.
• Riverside Square Mall offers a variety of upscale boutique shopping. Stores include Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, and Godiva Chocolatier. This mall also features The Fountain Spa, a full-service day spa, as well as a number of full-service restaurants.

SPORTS TEAMS

The Troasts are members of the National American Semi-Pro Baseball Association. A number of the team's players qualified as All-Americans, and all of the Troasts' home games are played at Foschini Park.

LOCAL MEDIA

North Jersey Media Group offers the region two daily papers, including The Bergen Record, and about 40 area newspapers and a magazine. Tours of the printing facilities are available.

Local radio stations include:

• WOR 710 AM Talk
• WABC 770 AM News
• WEPN 1050 AM Sports
• WFAS 1230 AM Nostalgia
• WBGO 88.3 FM Jazz
• WFUM 91.1 FM Variety
• WXRK 92.3 FM Rock
• WZAA 92.7 FM Spanish
• WHTZ 100.3 FM Top-40
• WWPR 105.1 FM Hip Hop