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.

Great walk. Nothing like a walk through nature. Taking in the sights and sounds, what a beautiful…read morething!!!

A nice park next to the Maplewood train station. Paved trails, pond, benches. A great place to…read morevisit to kill some time before boarding the train. Very safe and serene

Very much enjoyed myself while attending the 2nd Annual House Music Festival at Memorial Park.read more

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.

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

This is the perfect place to practice my latest obsession, ROLLERSKATING!! This park is clean, not…read moreoverly crowded, there's ample parking , a playground no kid could resist, nice walking path, nice tennis and basketball courts, dog friendly, people friendly and my favorite a skate area, which is technically a hockey rink but no one seems to mind me practicing my moves. Overall it's a nice park, whether you bring your family or go solo you won't be disappointed.

Terrific community-based park. I like walking the track around the soccer field early in the…read moremorning. I also like the fact that the park is well maintained. When my grandkids visit, the park is a must do as part of their stay.

I recently discovered Orchard Park. It's a small park off of Ridgewood Ave in Maplewood, but you…read moreenter from De Hart Road, so it's kind of hidden. There's a playground for 2-5 year olds - with climbing forts, slides, a see-saw, and swings. There's a covered area in sight line of the playground, and tables and some benches to sit. There are also tennis courts and an open field. Cute park!

Orchard park is the overall best local park I have been to. The playground is completely safe and…read moreamazing for kids of all ages. It is great to bring the whole family, there is great seating like picnic tables and benches and built in bathrooms. We go there all the time and is an amazing experience.

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.

Groovy little park whose playground seems pretty fun for kids. Pretty good amount of everything…read morethere.

Borden Park provides a welcome respite to the madness of big-city living, if only it were anywhere…read morenear a modern metropolis! So, in reality it's a superb neighborhood park with playground equipment geared toward kids age 2-12, a single tennis court and a large grassy area often used as a soccer field but also good for lounging, frisbee or jumping jacks. There's a paved asphalt oval around the field, which is great for running track, and entrances from three sides. It also makes a great shortcut, depending on your commute, and a birthday party location, weather permitting. There are also public restrooms, which are usually open and this year smelled mostly of cigar smoke, which is why it gets four stars instead of five. Overall, though, it's a fine place to tire out your children!