It's trippy to be back in this neighborhood. My family moved here in 1979 and the house that I grew up in is still in the family. When I drive around town, I feel like I've become some sort of Newark historian. "Oh, that Asian supermarket? That used to be Service Merchandise." "See all these business parks? When I was a kid, these were all fields and marshes."
One thing that hasn't changed a whole lot is Birch Grove Park. Just one block from my childhood home, I spent countless hours at this park in the 80's. I played on the monkey bars and got into tanbark throwing wars with neighborhood kids. So many great memories and still one of the best things about living in this very blue collar, very Newarkish neighborhood.
Where once stood a play structure that looked like an old river boat now sits a new-fangled playground complete with artificial rock walls with caves. Great to see that swing sets are still a facet of of the average playground. There's some kind of water feature that kids can play in, but it's been shut down, either due to drought or budget issues.
There's so much open space here. If you want to throw a frisbee around, have your team's soccer practice, or throw a big ol' BBQ and invite all of your friends, this place can accommodate you. There's a great baseball diamond and a basketball court. There are also lots of picnic tables and grills if you don't want to bring your own Smokey Joe.
On a recent walk through the neighborhood, my wife and I spotted two cooper's hawks in the trees in this park. They were both doing their little hawk screech and when we got too close, one of the hawks swooped down at my wife! Wild America in your local neighborhood park. (Hawks and other birds of prey not guaranteed on your visit)
Not a park worth going out of your way to visit by any means. If you live in the area, want to throw some meat on the grill and string a piñata up on one of the many trees, this is an ideal spot. read more