| |
| Parks & Recreation |
| |
Branch Brook Park
[+map it]
(973) 268-2300
Named for a branch brook that flowed through the valley into the Passaic River, Newark’s Branch Brook Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, appears on both the New Jersey and national registers of historic places and was the first country park to open for public use in the United States. Comprised of nearly 360 acres, the park is the largest developed park in Essex Country and features open meadows, small patches of woodland and rolling terrain. Branch Brook Park is also the site of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the more than 4,000 cherry trees that blossom in April. |
|
Lincoln Park
[+map it]
Located in the Central Ward, this community was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, after he spoke on the steps of the former South Park Presbyterian Church in 1861. Lincoln Park began as a Colonial village and emerged as a bustling business and entertainment hub. Now the park is home to the annual Lincoln Park Music Festival, designed to continue to revitalize the community and celebrate Newark’s center for culture, music and diversity. |
|
Military Park
[+map it]
Initially designed as a training place for soldiers when Newark was planned in 1667, Military Park is aptly named. Located on Broad Street between Rector Street and Raymond Boulevard, the park became known as the “Town Commons” or “Lower Commons” in 1869. The park houses several statues of historic figures, including a bust of John F. Kennedy by Jaques Lipschitz, as well as the Wars of America monument created by renowned Mt. Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum, which was unveiled in 1926. |
|
Washington Park
[+map it]
Home to many commercial and public buildings, several of which have recently been renovated, its section of the Central Ward is known as Washington Park. Its 3.4 acre expanse is most famous for statues of historical figures, from George Washington to Christopher Columbus, and the Indian and the Puritan sculpture at the park’s north. James Street Commons is a smaller historic area within the Washington park area that is comprised of about 20 blocks of townhouses along Washington Park, Halsey Street, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and James Street and borders the Newark Museum and Rutgers Business School. |
|
Weequahic Park and Golf Course
[+map it]
Named by Lenni-Lenape Native Americans, this area of the South Ward was a vast farmland until the late 19th century, when it transformed into a thriving middle-class neighborhood. The second largest park in Essex County, Weequahic is perfect for tennis, jogging or a picnic. It features an 18-hole course that includes 5,579 yards of gold from the longest tees for a par of 70. Today, Weequahic’s 311 acres are shaded by tree-lined streets, lush greenery and attractive Art Deco buildings. |
|
Riverbank Park
[+map it]
Riverbank Park is located off Raymond Boulevard, Market, Van Buren, and Somme Streets, within the east side section of Newark. A portion of the park across Raymond Boulevard has 1000 feet of waterfront access on the Passaic River, and includes land which once held the old Morris Canal . The acreage for this park was acquired in 1907 and the plans were designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm. The concrete footpaths are dotted with large trees, and plantings of small shrubbery on the slopes have successfully helped in the prevention of erosion. |
|
Independence Park
[+map it]
Independence Park is found in the eastern section of Essex County, in an area of Newark known as the "Ironbound" or "Down Neck" section. Its 12.69 acres are bordered by Walnut Street on the north, Oliver Street on the south, and Adams & Van Buren Streets west and east. It is adjacent to East Side High School. |
|
| |
|
|
|
