Nice park with access to different sport activities. Equipped with a baseball field, handball &…read moretennis courts and 4 basketball courts. The park has parking for bikes and a large parking area for cars across the street. The field can also be used for soccer practice which is the reason I come here.

I really love Brookdale Park! My best friend actually introduced me to this park when I was in…read moreundergrad, so I have some good memories here. I remember coming during the day when it was really quiet and almost empty. My daughter was able to play on the playground all by herself, which was kind of nice because she had the whole place to enjoy! Now, years later, I still find myself coming back to Brookdale Park. I walk and run here, and it's become one of my go-to spots for an outdoor workout. I especially enjoy walking in the evening. Funny enough, after all these years, this was actually my first time officially walking the entire park! There's so much space here. They have a running track, tennis courts, and pickleball courts. There's plenty of room for kids to ride their bikes, and there are open areas where people can play soccer, football, and other sports. I also love that there's plenty of grass and open space if you want to bring a blanket, have a picnic, or just sit and relax. There are also different events held throughout the year, which gives the park an even better community feel. Overall, Brookdale Park is just a really nice place to spend time. Whether I'm coming here to walk, run, exercise, relax, or spend time with family, I always enjoy being here. It's definitely a park I've appreciated over the years, and I'm happy to have made so many memories here.

This park is huge with plenty to do but I only came for the rose garden. It is small, some labels…read moreare missing, and several beds need maintenance. It feels more like a city park than a quiet garden. I personally would not return, though I see why neighbors enjoy having green space nearby. When I visited, a large group had formed a circle that occupied an entire section of the small rose garden. There were no signs indicating the area was reserved, and their gathering unintentionally made the space feel closed off to other visitors. In shared public spaces like this, especially in smaller gardens, it is important for any group, whether local or new to the community, to be mindful of the park's norms and not treat the small public garden like it's only for them. Many people visiting or living here may not be aware of how these spaces are typically used, so a little consideration goes a long way in keeping the park welcoming for everyone.

I gotta tell you... I love this little park…read more First visit - okay, I dug it. Second visit - more time to explore and continually found new and interesting reasons to enjoy Essex County's seventh-largest park (I totally stole that tidbit from Wikipedia). Third visit - okay, okay - I'm officially smitten! A (small-ish) pond complete with locals fishing? Tennis and pickleball courts? Horseshoe pits? Bocce court? Paved trails (both in the main/open portion of the park as well as tucked-away under dense forest)? Baseball field (as a bonus - a group of kids always practicing cricket off to the side)? A tiny little spot consisting of parallel bars and (uneven) pull-up bars - for aspiring gymnasts or American Ninja contestants? An aqueduct (complete with a handful of little bridges to cross over) running throughout the entire park? A damn fine playground (with interesting and in-good-shape equipment) for kids (from 2 to 12 years old)? Plenty of tables (old-school picnic style as well as more modern/sleek)? Those clunky-but-sturdy BBQ grills that are drilled into the ground for you to use but can't take home with you? Rock cairns to find and admire while walking through along the tree-covered trail? A few strategically-placed water fountains to rehydrate and cool down? Plenty of Porta-Potties and trash receptacles (including freebie baggies so you can scoop up your pet's droppings)? A random deer (or doe) sighting in or near the park every single time I've visited? Yes! A resounding "yes!" to all of it.

Tiny county park in a residential area, so no trails. You can walk around the park in about 15…read moreminutes. Small stocked pond with ice skating when safe and allowed, children's swings and slide and a small tennis court. Benches all around. Well kept by the county. Parking on the street and a small lot with a few handicapped spaces. Bicycling not allowed due the size of the park and amount of people. Playing field up and behind the park area. Events held occasionally.

During my showcase team this was a very fun experience. We had to travel all the way up here for…read moreplayoffs which was a very long drive. During this run, I had 3 Home Runs in 3 games. One of my favorite moments ever playing baseball.

This is my "go-to" spot for running. This is the location of Becton Regional sports fields. Their…read moreis an artificial turf football, baseball and soccer field here along with two Little League fields and a rubber track. The entire area is well maintained. The Public Works guys are always here cleaning up . In the summer, it gets super hot on the field.....there is no shade. The field also gets real windy in the Winter. I have not encountered the field gates locked as some of the other area fields are.

Used to come here all the time! It's a great little spot with a play ground, a river and a few…read morebenches and tables. Great spot!

Goose poop everywhere but more recently they installed a small playground if you have kids and…read morethey're into that sort of thing. There's also a softball/baseball field and the park hosts free concerts on Wednesdays in the summer time. If you're looking for a park to walk in, don't waste your time here. It's too small, plus you might get whacked with a fly ball.

Nothing beats the feel of real grass on an athletic field, and this one is a great example. A…read morerobust, healthy lawn is one of the primary features of this soccer field and baseball diamond. With an adjacent playground that appears to be part of the Forest Avenue School, it's an amazing place to watch your kids play their little hearts out. I'm a fan!

Did you know, Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey, has the largest single collection in the…read moreUnited States, with about 5,300 trees in 18 varieties. April is the time to go as they are in their peak bloom season. You will be rewarded with beautiful and scenic walking trails and picnic lunches under cherry blossoms. The park runs its annual Cherry Blossom Festival as well as multiple events such as the Cherry Blossom Bike Race Challenge, and the Cherry Blossom 10K run that happened last Sunday, April 12th. The weather was excellent, and there was plenty of community pride as everyone showed up. You can also be a spectator, should you choose to, if you don't want to partake in the run. Family Day will be taking place on April 18th. For those who wish to take in the scenery only, the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center renovation has been completed since last Fall of 2023. Inside, there are comfortable bathrooms, an artificial but exceptional-looking year-round cherry blossom tree in full bloom, and a souvenir center where you can purchase sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc. Proceeds benefit Branch Brook Park Alliance in care of the park, according to the Branch Brook Park's website. The entire Welcome Center has a modern and open feel throughout the building as it has plenty of natural lighting and high vaulted ceilings. As you enter, to your immediate right, you will find the gallery space with historical displays and a mural depicting the vast collection of cherry blossoms and their history. If you are ever in the area, this is absolutely worth a visit and yes, it is completely free.

THE GOOD -----------------…read more+ Large, scenic park with LOTS and lots and lots of cherry blossoms (more than in Washington D.C.!) for viewing during Cherry Blossom season. + On specific days, during the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, there are special events - such as Family Day, Bloomfest - which include the presence of food trucks and activities (bounce castles, music) for kids. + Trails are easily walkable by people of all ages. + There is a clean, large playground, basketball courts towards the southeast end of the park. + A majority of the park encompasses a lake and a pond, which makes the walking very serene. + Parking is allowed inside of the park along the roads, so feel free to drive into it instead of parking outside of the park. THE NOT SO GOOD ----------------------------- - On those verrrrry popular days to visit (e.g., weekends during the Cherry Blossom Festival), parking can be chaotic inside of the park, so come early in the morning and bring your patience. MIXED THOUGHTS ---------------------------- = Nada. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = Nada.

What a cute little park It's well maintained and well…read morelandscaped Great place to walk your dog or just sit in the bench

One of the best parks in the northern NJ area for a family friendly walk. No through traffic while…read morein the park. The park has a basketball court, baseball field, bathrooms, and picnic tables. One of the best features is that there's a stream that runs through the park with a small waterfall at the end. Plenty of restaurants within a 5 minute walk of the park

A park I used to frequent often in my youth and even now occasionally if there is an event such as…read morethe Jazz Festival. The park has a neighborhood-like setting with houses and even the aforementioned elementary school across the street compared to some other parks in Essex county that are a bit more removed. The park has a nice mixture of park staples for its size. This includes a basketball, baseball field, tennis courts and open field. The unique part of this park is the community pool, another place I'd frequent, but on my most recent visit it was not open despite being a nice day so hopefully it is still being operated. The park has a few paths for walking but not as extensive as some other parks in Essex county. The park has a nice amount of benches, parking lot along with street parking and a nice MLK memorial as you make your way around the park. Not the biggest park, but a lively and decent one a little off from the growing center of downtown Montclair.

I checked out Nishuane Park a few weekends ago for the Montclair Jazz Festival. It's held here…read moreevery year. I've driven past the park on so many times, but never realized from Harrison Ave just how expansive the park is. If you drive past the fire station on the corner of Harrison and Cedar, you won't see the sprawling passive green, walking paths, baseball field, basketball courts, and playground. Apparently, there's also a public pool (I didn't see that when I visited). So the day of the Jazz Festival, I was surprised that Nishuane was able to contain all festival goers that Saturday. There was even an area in the park where there were a slew of food trucks and vendor stands. It's nice to know that this park serves as the locations for this and other community events. Also, if you like to walk, I'd also recommend checking out the massive mansions on Stonebridge Road, between Sutherland and Llewelyn. Stonebridge is parallel with Harrison Ave. Beautiful, old homes. It's a very family friendly park and a wonderful place to spend your Saturday.