Parks and Playgrounds in Essex County New Jersey

Belleville Park

Parkview Ave, Belleville, NJ. 973.450.3422
Belleville Park features a playground, bocce ball courts, softball fields, soccer fields and a walking path.

Branch Brook Park

Clifton Ave, Newark, NJ. 973.268.3500
This park is known for having the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States. A Cherry Blossom Festival is held there every year. Also offered are walking paths, a roller rink, baseball fields, bocce ball courts, a playground, tennis courts and other fields. Many other activities are held in this park as well.

Brookdale Park

Watchung Ave, Bloomfield, NJ. 973.268.3500
Brookdale Park is home to a fitness course, softball/baseball fields, archery field, picnic area, trails, grandstand, playgrounds, tennis courts, rose garden, soccer fields and a dog park. Throughout the year the Park offers many activities and celebrations, such as a Summer Concert Series

Cedar Grove Park

Fairview Ave, Cedar Grove Park, NJ. 973.268.3500
Cedar Grove Park was created in 2016 and encompasses 77 acres. Located within the park is the Robert J. O’Toole Community Center which seats over 150 people and includes a patio, fireplace and commercial kitchen. The park has walking paths, a 14,000 square foot playground, bocce courts, picnic areas and exercise stations.

Independence Park

Van Buren St and Walnut St, Newark, NJ. 973.268.3500
This small park in the “Ironbound” section of Newark has athletic fields, basketball courts, a playground and walking paths. Visitors can play volleyball, tennis, bocce ball, soccer and more. There is also a bandstand and gazebo for entertainment.

Littell People’s Park

Robert Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ. 973.992.5000
Located next to Livingston High School, this popular park offers various play equipment and sand boxes. Littell’s Pond features ice skating, tennis courts and basketball courts.

Presbyterian Memorial Iris Gardens

474 Upper Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ. 973.783.5974
The Gardens are located at the base of Mountainside Park. The iris gardens have over 10,000 irises in 1,500 varieties. “Rainbow on the hill” is where guests can view an arching slope of garden beds. There are 26 beds of irises that run along the creekbed. There is a gift shop and a PresBee Sanctuary that is the home of 100,000 Italian honeybees whose honey is sold in the shop. The Gardens host beekeeping classes and seminars throughout the year.

Regatta Playground

9 Cherry Ln, West Orange, NJ. 973.268.3500
This nautical themed playground is located next to the boat and picnic area in the South Mountain Recreation Complex. The playground includes ships to play on, fossils to climb, a bouncy bridge, musical instruments, swings, a dragonfly seesaw, mushroom climbers and more. There is also a pavilion for picnicking. It is close to the Turtle Back Zoo and other fun attractions in West Orange.

Riverbank Park

27 Somme St, Newark, NJ. 201.341.8331
Another park in the “Ironbound” section of Newark, Riverbank Park features baseball fields, trails, floating boat dock, riverfront boardwalk, playground and several athletic fields and courts. Programs are offered all year long that feature topics such as fitness, arts, culture and education. There are boat tours, chess events, fitness events, movie nights and more.

South Mountain Reservation

W South Orange Ave and Cherry Ln, West Orange, NJ. 973.268.3500
This nature reserve covers 2,110 acres on the Rahway River and has been kept mainly preserved in its natural state. The Richard J. Codey Arena and Turtle Back Zoo are located within the Reservation. It also includes Safari Minigolf, Treetop Adventure Ropes and McCloone’s Boathouse Restaurant. South Mountain also features many trails, some of which are guided, particularly in Hemlock Falls which has a 25 foot waterfall.

Stagg Field Playground

385 Saint Cloud Ave, West Orange, NJ. 973.325.4086
This large playground has two facilities divided into age groups. There are a few large fields for multi-purpose use, baseball field, basketball court and tennis courts. There are walking paths and a community center. The playground hosts events throughout the year, such as summer concerts.

Taylor Park

100 Main St, Short Hills, Millburn, NJ. 973.564.7064
Taylor Park features many athletic fields for sports such as baseball/softball, basketball and tennis. There is also a fitness court, playground, walking path and pond.

Verona Park

Bloomfield Ave and Lakeside Ave, Verona, NJ. 973.735.6228
Verona Park is a popular spot throughout the year that features many programs and activities such as the Annual Craft Fair and Concerts at the Gazebo. The park has a 13 acre lake for boating and fishing as well as a boathouse. There is an ornamental bridge, children’s garden, tennis courts, playground, fitness course and bocce courts.

Watsessing Park

Glenwood Ave, East Orange, NJ. 973.268.3500
Watsessing Park has recently been expanded and now has a sprayground for children. Along with the sprayground, this 69 acres park has a playground, soccer field, walking path, basketball courts, dog park, bandstand and lawn bowling green.

Weequahic Park

Elizabeth Ave and Meeker Ave, Newark, NJ. 973.268.3500
This park is home to the largest lake in Essex County. The park features playgrounds, jogging trail, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball/softball fields and picnic areas. Weequahic Park is a popular place for outdoor concerts and festivals throughout the year. The first public golf course in New Jersey is also located inside the park.