This was a wonderful spot for a walk on a brisk and sunny winter day!…read more I've always heard great things about the Reservation and have been dying to visit. It's safe to say that I'll be back, especially when temps are on the up. The entire walk around the lake takes around 30 minutes. It's a very popular walk and on a sunny day there were a ton of people out and about. There are plenty of benches along the way and there is also a large sitting area with adirondack chairs. There is a really nice playground and when my daughter is a little older I think she'll really enjoy it. You can also rent a paddleboat in the summer. The Reservation is around the corner from the Zoo and a large outdoor ropes course. I like how there is so much to do in one area -- you can come for a really action packed day or just take a quick stroll to get some fresh air.

A nice area for hiking/walking that has some wide paths and not so overgrown. There are plenty of…read moretrails to diverge from. Hemlock Falls seems to be a draw and is very nice to relax around but can get a little crowded. Because there are multiple parking lots with easy accessibility, there's a bit of trash and broken glass here and there which is unfortunate. There were quite a few hikers, trail runners and dogs but it never felt claustrophobic. The hikes aren't that difficult but there are quite a few rocks and protruding tree roots. Montclair is less than 10 minutes if you want a bite to eat afterwards.

A brisk walk away, this is a midsize but feeling very spacious park with a basketball court, kids…read moreplayground/jungle gym (that has a bit of damage, but not unsafe), clean bathrooms, and a huge track for running/walking. Some picnic space, but I don't use it. Very woodsy for a park surrounded on all sides by houses, but I like it, especially for fall and spring flowering, scavenger hunting, and plenty of shade on a hot, sunny summer day. Always an option in getting out of the house for fresh air and exercise.

Love this park! Unami is a great sized park with a walkway, baseball and softball field, tennis…read morecourt, basketball hoops, and a jungle gym. It is clean and perfect for a nice walk or run. I love coming here and would recommend this park to anyone nearby!

Spring, Summer, and even a little fall are my favorite seasons to enjoy this park! The options for…read morewalking (a big, beautiful track), running, or playing basketball are wonderful. There's even a pond and fountain to relax and enjoy quietly. The most noise you'll here are the cars zooming by or kids playing soccer. It's a beautiful space with ample (free/non-metered) street parking.

Pond-erful! With three looped and paved options for walking/running you can choose your own…read moreadventure. One shaded and short (a quarter mile max) path is around a beautiful pond with tons of greenery, then another lush trail about 3/4 of a mile is to the right of a bridge, while a third polyurethane running track (1/4 mile around) has a very smooth and relatively soft surface if you're prone to tripping and falling. Then, feel free to fly a kite or run free in a large field surrounded by trees. I super recommend this park for young and old. NOTES/TIPS: **Park along Meisel Ave. **Gendered bathroom and non-gendered family bathroom **Has a fitness trail, running track, soccer field, baseball field, softball field, fishing

Beautiful park with kids playgrounds, a nice lake, and we'll paved trails. You can get a nice…read morelittle hike in, go fishing, and take your kids to the playground in the same visit. This park has the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a park. There's also free Wi-Fi in this park. Legendary stuff. I've been to hundreds of parks and never saw free Wi-Fi offered. This is now my favorite park.

Located in Mountainside, New Jersey, this park is long and thin along with the three lakes it…read morereally encompasses, with a single road that follows and winds its way through the park alongside the three, long thin lakes. There are areas for lake paddle boating and a dog run, park areas to enjoy as grassy or snow covered depending on the season, and some parking, and there a few public bathrooms. It is just off the busy Route 22, on the eastbound side. Saw a few folks fishing, and some of the bikers slowly winding their way through the park. Not a bad local park to enjoy a nice day out.

Tucked into the southwest corner of Essex County's South Mountain Reservation, this historic…read more28-acre public garden -- with its carefully curated and terraced gardens, fountains, and winding paths -- feels like a trip to another time and place. After spotting a social media post about the garden's Cascade fountain reopening after a 16-month restoration, my walking companion and I decided to check out this hidden gem. Greenwood Gardens was a private family estate until 2003, when it opened to the public under the auspices of a non-profit organization, and you can really feel that rich tapestry of the families' history as you wander through the grounds. The highlight of our visit was the Cascade fountain, which now features water flowing through it for the first time since the early 20th century! If you're looking for a peaceful, historic, and beautiful place to stroll, Greenwood Gardens is absolutely worth the visit. We'll definitely be back! Pro Tip #1: Plan on about 75-90 minutes for a self-guided walking tour, buy tickets online in advance ($15 for adults aged 14 to 64; $10 for Seniors aged 65+; $5 for children aged 5 to 13), and wear weather-appropriate attire/walking shoes. Pro Tip #2: Leave your tripod at home. Casual photos on your phone are welcome, but portrait or staged photography (for events, engagements, graduations, etc.) requires prior permission and special facility booking.

A dreamy, charming little escape with tons of greenery, statues, structures, and fountains. Even on…read morea weekend it wasn't crowded, so my fam could take pictures without cropping out strangers. Really friendly staff gave the kids a scavenger hunt page that turned our visit into part garden tour, part treasure hunt. Between the terraces, tile work, grottoes, and gardens, the whole place blends European formality with a whimsical, art nouveau vibe. Plenty of benches invite you to sit and talk, while fenced-in chickens, geese, and beehives bring the grounds to life. The gardens feel peaceful, playful, and magical all at once. The beauty here is truly un-beleaf-able! NOTES/TIPS: **Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, and $5 for kids, with free parking close by. **Very limited wheelchair-accessibility: okay for the Main Terrace and some flat areas, but most paths are sloped or uneven, so access is limited. **Restrooms near the entrance.

Great hidden gem in Union county! People from all over come here. So much fun for the kids and…read moreadults too! The line gets pretty long if you don't get there early.

This review is for the awesome splash pad that is located in Wheeler Park. Every time we go we…read morehave a blast! I am also so happy that Wheeler park welcomes everyone from all over NJ (and elsewhere). Coming from out of the county will cost you a bit more, but not much. If you live outside of Union County it is $4.00 for kids ($2.00 in county) and $6.00 for adults ($3.00 in county). This splash pad has every water feature a kid could ever need - from bigger twisty water slides, to a small dragon water slide. Also, water guns that you can shoot each other with, a pirate boat, water shooting up from the ground, and much more. My kids spent a little over 2 hours here and had an absolute blast. We've been here about 3 times and it never disappoints. Just be sure to bring some sort of shade covering. There isn't much cover at the splash pad so we usually bring our small beach tent with us. There is also a dry playground in the splash pad gated area where kids can play too. They have staff who help keep the kids safe and to make sure everyone goes down the water slides safe and sound. I highly recommend Wheeler Spray Park on a hot summer day.

Visited this park today to play a game of Cricket and was amazed by its sprawling beauty and…read morecleanliness. The park is so huge that it'll take forever to cover the whole park by a walk. This place also has few paddle boats on a small lake and adequately available washrooms for use. I was truly amazed by the well-spaced trees and the overall greenery. The park has lot of baseball, soccer fields and parking spaces. Learnt from Google reviews that this is a must visit during Spring for its cherry blossoms and the ice skating rink during winters - something to look forward in my future visits.

The pond and paved walkways are easy to explore. There are workout stations everywhere and there…read moreis tons of parking. I saw a swan hanging out with ducks when I was there. They stock the pond with fish, just make sure you have a license. I wish it wasn't so littered and that most of it was something other than alcohol containers and cogar wrappers.

Splash pad and playground is a great, free activity for kids under 5 to do for a couple of hours on…read morea hot day. Bring a lawn chair, so that you can sit underneath a shady tree. Also, have kids wear water shoes because the ground is hot. The splash pad consists of 10 or so (very little) jets of water, just enough for the little ones to get wet. Public bathrooms available. I believe the splash pad water starts at 11:00 a.m. When we were there there was an ice cream truck so make sure to bring cash just in case.

This park is great! Super clean and had a play structure for bigger kids as well as little ones…read more Plenty of swings... 4 regular ones, 2 baby ones and 2 of the plastic chair type ones. It's on padded turf. There's a picnic area with plenty of tables. Lots of benches around the playground too. There is very little shade at this playground. Plenty of parking.

I was impressed with Taylor Park. It has a lake, with a waterfall, tennis courts, children's…read moreplayground, the Baver Community Center, a rose garden, clean walkways, plenty of places to picnic, and right in the heart of Millburn. A stroll around the perimeter of the park is a perfect way to relax and enjoy every moment.

Nice little park! I…read morestopped by for a stroll recently after eating at one of the local restaurants nearby. The park was full of people and it was nice to see people out enjoying themselves. The park itself has a little bit to offer everyone. Enjoy :)

We have gone here many times with our daughter enjoyed a decent amount of options for various ages…read moreof kids.

Line up, everybody- it's time to go outside! My almost 2-year old daughter spends hours here and…read moresometimes finds a playmate who instantly becomes her BFF-of-the-day. While it gets pretty busy around 4pm, it's often nearly empty. The fenced playground has wood chips covering the ground with an adjacent paved parking lot that fits about 20 cars, 2 large structures with several slides and climbing or hanging options (one for younger kids and the other for older children), a set of swings for babies, older kids, and children who need full neck support (with a harness and crotch strap), 2 flowers in which kids can sit and spin, and a bouncy structure for sitting with a dinosaur and car theme. A soccer/softball field area sometimes hosts organized games for children but otherwise, can be a great place for babies to experience the feeling of grass under their feet and for toddlers to run around in a big, open space or kick a ball. Since we're usually here for a while, I typically bring some water and snacks for my daughter who enjoys them at some picnic tables in a grassy area nearby. A bathroom's accessible in the nearby Community Center through the parking lot area during the day or through the front doors after hours. With all these features, kids won't want to leave.