Part of the Essex County Park System, Verona Park offers a little something for everyone. There’s a 1.2 mile paved loop surrounded by weeping willows (this will be especially beautiful in April), a lake with seasonal paddle boating and fishing, a boathouse restaurant, a softball field and bocce courts, a children’s garden, and plenty ofContinue reading “Verona Park: Verona, NJ”
Category Archives: Parks
Weehawken & Union City Reservoir Park
Weehawken & Union City Reservoir Park is a 3/4 mile flat, gravel track around a wildlife filled reservoir with NYC views. We love this urban oasis so much because there are almost always turtles and ducks swimming, seagulls squawking, and curiously friendly geese. It also has our favorite toys: dirt, sticks, and rocks. Today, weContinue reading “Weehawken & Union City Reservoir Park”
Anderson Park: Montclair, NJ
Anderson Park is the perfect place to teach a child how to ride a bike, scooter, or skateboard. It’s also stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible. There is a small 3/5 mile flat, paved loop with plenty of benches for snacking or resting, and a large field that’s great for picnicking and ballgames. You can even bringContinue reading “Anderson Park: Montclair, NJ”
Fall at Cheesequake State Park: Matawan, NJ
We visited Hooks Creek Lake at Cheesequake State Park in the summer, but didn’t make it past the sand pit with our enthusiastic little diggers, so we were excited to explore more of the park last weekend. Autumn has most certainly arrived here, and the trees are dressed as stoplights, shining brightly in crimson, gold,Continue reading “Fall at Cheesequake State Park: Matawan, NJ”
Lasdon Park and Arboretum: Katonah, NY
My sons LOVE dinosaurs, so when a Park Mama reader recommended Lasdon Park and Arboretum for its small, but epic, dinosaur garden, we couldn’t wait to explore it! A scenic drive along the Taconic Parkway hinted of fall – golden and crimson leaves were already peeking through and the nip of cool air as weContinue reading “Lasdon Park and Arboretum: Katonah, NY”
Richard DeKorte Park: Lyndhurst, NJ
Effective 9/8/20 – Hours are 7am – 7pm daily An ecological wonder, Richard DeKorte Park is New Jersey’s first park built atop a landfill, a feat accomplished using a liner made of 400,000 recycled soda bottles. Now that’s turning trash into treasure! Boasting 3.5 miles of stroller-friendly trails, an environmental center, and butterfly pollinator garden,Continue reading “Richard DeKorte Park: Lyndhurst, NJ”
Richard Rutkowski Park: Bayonne, NJ
Situated adjacent to the Hackensack Riverfront Walkway and the expansive Stephen R. Gregg Park (both of which I also recommend), Richard Rutkowski Park is perfectly suited for leisurely strolls, biking, scooter riding, picnics, and bird watching. There are (2) quarter mile paths to explore – a paved and largely shaded biking path and a mostlyContinue reading “Richard Rutkowski Park: Bayonne, NJ”
Natirar Park: Far Hills, NJ
Spanning 4 towns (Peapack, Gladstone, Far Hills, and Bedminster), Natirar Park is HUGE and traverses hundreds of acres of fields, meadows, and woodlands, offering river access, paved and gravel walking trails, and plenty of space for running, biking, scooting, ball playing, and picnics while socially distancing with ease. Fun facts: Natirar is the reverse spellingContinue reading “Natirar Park: Far Hills, NJ”
Summer at Cheesequake State Park: Matawan, NJ
We were on the hunt for a beach-like experience without the crowds and stumbled upon Hooks Creek Lake at Cheesequake State Park. Open for swimming from 10:30am-6:00pm daily with 2 lifeguards on duty, Hooks Creek Lake is shallow enough for babies to enjoy, doesn’t have waves, and is a great place to teach young kiddosContinue reading “Summer at Cheesequake State Park: Matawan, NJ”
Holmdel Park: Holmdel Township, NJ
Home to Historic Longstreet Farm, an arboretum, pond, and 10 miles of trails, Holmdel Park is akin to Duke Farms in its design. A picnicker’s paradise, there are large swaths of shaded grassy areas, more than enough space to socially distance, play ball, walk the dog, ride a bike, scooter, go fishing, and learn aboutContinue reading “Holmdel Park: Holmdel Township, NJ”