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.

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.

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!!!

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 grew up with Brookdale Park. I would bike over with Daddy - or in the beginning, trike over - and…read morewe would ride the paths together. Down the little dirt trail by the stream near Watchung Ave., see if I could make it down the ditch under the bridge, then back up near the duck pond to look at the birds. Over to the playground, down the tall metal slide (burning in the hot sun), on and under the wooden playground (splinters and the occasional scary bee), and riding the swings, both pony-themed and regular. Slow forward to 2025. Brookdale still has the same paved paths. The old dirt trail gradually became a bunch of bumps for dirt bikes instead of my regular bike. The duck pond was filled in years ago but is now a wetlands area. The playground has been modernized a couple of times and is now modern, safe plastic. Still pony-themed swings. The old gravel track is now modern plastic for running or similar sports - though there was something special about sliding my bike around the turns on that gravel track. You just can't ride on a running track. There's an annual softball tournament there we still play, and the fields really haven't changed, though I've heard it's been getting tougher to get things reserved properly. So it's still a wonderful park, but without the ducks and with the complications to holding in park events, the fifth star has gone away with my childhood. That's OK. It will always be 5 stars in my heart.

What a great space this is! Took my daughter to use the batting cage and got some added pointers…read morefrom Tim too! I also had the opportunity to train with Raf. He helped me with my form and technique around weight training and gave me excellent advice on how to keep myself healthy as I get up ther in age. We also laughed a lot with Tim! I can't say enough about these guys and with the new space this is really a top notch environment to train.

From the owner: The Gym Maplewood is a year-round training facility located on Springfield Avenue, serving…read moreMaplewood and South Orange, New Jersey. Our 3400 sq. ft. bright and open space is an ideal place for parents and kids to be active together. Youth sports programs will find a home on our indoor turf, and parents can use our gym equipment while they wait for their young athletes. ​ We provide Sports Coaching and Clinics, Personal Training, Functional Sports Therapy, and Conditioning Training for individuals and teams, as well as an exciting new recreational and competitive environment for all skill levels. ​ Our goal is to provide quality sports instruction in a clean, fun, and safe environment. We are focused on supporting the local community and providing a unique recreation experience for people of all ages. Batting Cages PItching Machines Pitching Tunnels Pitching, Batting instruction. Softball/Baseball instruction. SUMMER Camps 2018

Nice facility for basketball for children. Full court or split in two for younger children. Plenty…read moreof parking .

If you've ever imagined an oasis in the suburbs of New Jersey, where kids frolic on carefree summer…read moreafternoons in an aquatic wonderland just a stone's throw from home, this is it. Three pools -- one for tiny tots to wade in, one for bigger kids to splash in, and one Olympic-sized for adults to train in -- present a wealth of options for a full day of activities, in addition to which there is a diving tank with platforms up to approximately 30 feet, and two water slides, one open and one enclosed. A first-rate, snack bar keeps the munchies at bay if you've neglected to bring your own lunch or just didn't feel like packing one. Note, it's not the kind that offers artisanal twists on surf cuisine or anything fancy, just good, old-school summer treats, as well as burgers and the like. Memberships don't come cheap, although on a per-use basis, a summer pass could potentially mean your family of four can splash around all summer long for under $2 a day. Guests are welcome, although that comes at a slightly steeper cost. Nighttime entertainment also offers local adults a reason to come back after the kids have been sent off to sleep. The only possible thing missing is poolside cocktail service, although I'm fine with its omission since this is a family-friendly recreational establishment and not a singles pick-up scene. Our family gives it 10 thumbs up!

Four pools--from kiddie to diving tanks (rare in NJ) with a large Olympic pool in the middle (and a…read moretraining pool too). Very clean pool with friendly lifeguards. Great snack bar. If you like to dive, get there at 3 or 4 and try out the towers.