Such an incredible playground! We went here twice with our young boys while visiting my in laws,…read morethey had a blast. Love the structures, it's fully fenced in, and there are tons if chairs on the sides for parents to sit. My kids could stay here all day if we let them. Wish there was a little more shade, but you can find some spots.

Located at the South Mountain Waterfront, the Essex County Regatta Playground is a nautical-themed…read moreplay area for kids and little ones. Nearby are the swan paddle boats, which can be rented. Also, the public bathrooms are near the Regatta Playground, as well as a picnic area and wooden lawn chairs. Note: The picnic area is sometimes reserved for private events/groups, but is otherwise available most of the time.

I love this Waterfront! I discovered it, literally, a week before the pandemic shut down…read moreeverything. As much as I prefer to decompress near water, this spot satisfies that for me. An additional perk is how beneficial it is as a workout. Once around is nearly 2 miles. So it's good for a walk, run, or simply a seat near serenity. There's also an option to do paddle boats if you're into that type of activity. The pavilion is there (with seats) to provide some shade if the sun is beaming too brightly. Just an all around wonderful space snuggled between Turtle back zoo and McLoone's Boathouse restaurant. South Mountain reservation hiking trails are nearby as well. What a great central location! There is plenty of parking across the street from the entrance as well as a playground for kids.

The Waterfront has a nice walking/jogging path around the lake. You can also fish in designated…read moreareas, and rent swan paddle boats here. It's family friendly with a playground for younger kids, and an area with lots of tables under a pavilion for gatherings. The Essex County Park System maintains the Waterfront well. It's a popular destination during the weekends (i.e. can get crowded).

This is an athletic field in the St. Cloud neighborhood of West Orange. There's a small area with…read moresome parking, but it's more ideal for residents in the area within walking distance. They have tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and playgrounds for the kiddos. It's down the road from Turtle Back Zoo and the South Mountain Arena, and right by Mama Dag's Seafood & Pasta Bar.

Very nice little park in West Orange. They have baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, and…read moreplaygrounds.

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 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.

This place is a true paradise garden hidden somewhere in New Jersey !!!…read more The whole place is so beautiful , very serene , easy to navigate and kept very clean and green . It is definitely somewhere to go for a romantic date . The only issue I found with the place is that we couldn't find the gift shop or the little concession stand - coffee and snack . That was disappointing. Also staff is friendly but doesn't seem to be very good at giving directions . Aside from that it is such a beautiful place to visit

Riker Hill is one of my favorite parks in Essex County because of its uniqueness. It's niche…read morebecause it's part artist studios, part Cold War historical site, and part local park for hilly walks/runs. There also is a small community garden, as well as EV charge station at the top of the hill. It's not a destination park - unless you have a specific interest in visiting the studios or in Nike missile sites. However, it's a quaint park if you are local and want a quick fix of nature and views from the highest elevation points in Essex county.

Love this little playground! It's the perfect size playground. It's not too big, like some of the…read morenewer playground I have taken my kids to. It is difficult to keep track of your little ones when the playground is wayyyy too big. Both my 2 and 6 year old boys enjoy their time here.

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.

Joe V strikes again…read more We got ourselves a new paddle boat concession on the reservoir plus a new lit, walking path around the same. This gives you the opportunity to traverse the entire lake without having to enter the Zoo. It also seems to be dog-friendly which is a plus.

Gorgeous park and trails. I came here for the Susan G. Komen race last week and thoroughly enjoyed…read morethe trail we ran on as well as the scenery. Watch out: lots of hills! A great challenge.