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”
Tag Archives: Shaded
Hemlock Falls: West Orange, NJ
Hemlock Falls is on a 5.8 mile loop in South Mountain Reservation, but there’s a 1.2 mile toddler-friendly shortcut. It was easy enough for my 2.5 year old and 4.5 year old to do (with snack bribes and plenty of stops to throw rocks in the brook along the way). Big plus: It’s in aContinue reading “Hemlock Falls: West Orange, NJ”
Van Vleck House & Gardens: Montclair, NJ
“Sap flowing in high volume is called a ___.” Put your maple syrup knowledge to the test on this fun self-guided trivia tour at Van Vleck House & Gardens just 30 minutes away from Hoboken. A dozen or so visits later, Van Vleck House & Gardens remains one of our favorite NJ finds. It’s small.Continue reading “Van Vleck House & Gardens: Montclair, NJ”
Autumn at The New Jersey Botanical Garden
We were about a mile into a whimsical nature walk through secret gardens, surrounded by trees dressed for autumn, when dozens of leaves started dancing above us, fluttering gracefully down like rain. Time stood still for a moment as we stood on tip toes and eagerly reached to catch them before they blanketed the coolContinue reading “Autumn at The New Jersey Botanical Garden”
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”
Tenafly Nature Center: Tenafly, NJ
A Park Mama reader recommended Tenafly Nature Center as a place that she was very grateful for, especially during the pandemic, so we excitedly made the trek over to check it out. What a cool find! The park greeter recommended 3 short trails for our little family to explore – yellow (0.4 mile), red (0.3Continue reading “Tenafly Nature Center: Tenafly, NJ”
Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Kayak rentals. Chipmunks scurrying. Picnic tables expertly positioned in bucolic settings. Paved and gravel trails with lake viewing platforms. What a gem. We discovered Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve in late July and loved it. The stroller-friendly/wheelchair accessible trail is short, about 0.25 mile, but we just lapped it back and forth, picnicked, and watched chipmunksContinue reading “Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve: Franklin Lakes, NJ”
Flat Rock Brook Nature Center: Englewood, NJ
Today, I hiked 2.5 miles solo with my almost 2 year old and 4 year old without a stroller. We played “I Spy” with binoculars in hand and spotted turtles, frogs, owls, hawks, fish, cardinals, sparrows, squirrels, butterflies, and so many chipmunks that we dubbed the blue trail “Chipmunk Way”. I let my 4 yearContinue reading “Flat Rock Brook Nature Center: Englewood, 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 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”