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 brisk walk away, this is a midsize but feeling very spacious park with a basketball court, kids…read moreplayground/jungle gym (that has a bit of damage, but not unsafe), clean bathrooms, and a huge track for running/walking. Some picnic space, but I don't use it. Very woodsy for a park surrounded on all sides by houses, but I like it, especially for fall and spring flowering, scavenger hunting, and plenty of shade on a hot, sunny summer day. Always an option in getting out of the house for fresh air and exercise.

Love this park! Unami is a great sized park with a walkway, baseball and softball field, tennis…read morecourt, basketball hoops, and a jungle gym. It is clean and perfect for a nice walk or run. I love coming here and would recommend this park to anyone nearby!

Great 1/4 mile paved track to walk your way into summer shape. Recently renovated, too bad it's…read morenot lit for evening walking. Ample street parking (though be careful if you have to cross Meisel Avenue, people speed). And hit up Apple's Deli further south on Meisel if you want a snack!

Spring, Summer, and even a little fall are my favorite seasons to enjoy this park! The options for…read morewalking (a big, beautiful track), running, or playing basketball are wonderful. There's even a pond and fountain to relax and enjoy quietly. The most noise you'll here are the cars zooming by or kids playing soccer. It's a beautiful space with ample (free/non-metered) street parking.

Beautiful park with kids playgrounds, a nice lake, and we'll paved trails. You can get a nice…read morelittle hike in, go fishing, and take your kids to the playground in the same visit. This park has the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a park. There's also free Wi-Fi in this park. Legendary stuff. I've been to hundreds of parks and never saw free Wi-Fi offered. This is now my favorite park.

Located in Mountainside, New Jersey, this park is long and thin along with the three lakes it…read morereally encompasses, with a single road that follows and winds its way through the park alongside the three, long thin lakes. There are areas for lake paddle boating and a dog run, park areas to enjoy as grassy or snow covered depending on the season, and some parking, and there a few public bathrooms. It is just off the busy Route 22, on the eastbound side. Saw a few folks fishing, and some of the bikers slowly winding their way through the park. Not a bad local park to enjoy a nice day out.

Tucked into the southwest corner of Essex County's South Mountain Reservation, this historic…read more28-acre public garden -- with its carefully curated and terraced gardens, fountains, and winding paths -- feels like a trip to another time and place. After spotting a social media post about the garden's Cascade fountain reopening after a 16-month restoration, my walking companion and I decided to check out this hidden gem. Greenwood Gardens was a private family estate until 2003, when it opened to the public under a non-profit organization, and you can really feel that rich history as you wander through the grounds. The highlight of our visit was the Cascade fountain, which now features water flowing through it for the first time since the early 20th century! If you're looking for a peaceful, historic, and beautiful place to stroll, Greenwood Gardens is absolutely worth the visit. We'll definitely be back! Pro Tip #1: Plan on about 75-90 minutes for a self-guided walking tour, buy tickets online in advance ($15 for adults aged 14 to 64; $10 for Seniors aged 65+; $5 for children aged 5 to 13), and wear weather-appropriate attire/walking shoes. Pro Tip #2: Leave your tripod at home. Casual photos on your phone are welcome, but portrait or staged photography (for events, engagements, graduations, etc.) requires prior permission and special facility booking.

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.

Great hidden gem in Union county! People from all over come here. So much fun for the kids and…read moreadults too! The line gets pretty long if you don't get there early.

This review is for the awesome splash pad that is located in Wheeler Park. Every time we go we…read morehave a blast! I am also so happy that Wheeler park welcomes everyone from all over NJ (and elsewhere). Coming from out of the county will cost you a bit more, but not much. If you live outside of Union County it is $4.00 for kids ($2.00 in county) and $6.00 for adults ($3.00 in county). This splash pad has every water feature a kid could ever need - from bigger twisty water slides, to a small dragon water slide. Also, water guns that you can shoot each other with, a pirate boat, water shooting up from the ground, and much more. My kids spent a little over 2 hours here and had an absolute blast. We've been here about 3 times and it never disappoints. Just be sure to bring some sort of shade covering. There isn't much cover at the splash pad so we usually bring our small beach tent with us. There is also a dry playground in the splash pad gated area where kids can play too. They have staff who help keep the kids safe and to make sure everyone goes down the water slides safe and sound. I highly recommend Wheeler Spray Park on a hot summer day.

The pond and paved walkways are easy to explore. There are workout stations everywhere and there…read moreis tons of parking. I saw a swan hanging out with ducks when I was there. They stock the pond with fish, just make sure you have a license. I wish it wasn't so littered and that most of it was something other than alcohol containers and cogar wrappers.

safe park with lots to do and enjoy, its always a breath of fresh air whenever i get to come here .read more

Splash pad and playground is a great, free activity for kids under 5 to do for a couple of hours on…read morea hot day. Bring a lawn chair, so that you can sit underneath a shady tree. Also, have kids wear water shoes because the ground is hot. The splash pad consists of 10 or so (very little) jets of water, just enough for the little ones to get wet. Public bathrooms available. I believe the splash pad water starts at 11:00 a.m. When we were there there was an ice cream truck so make sure to bring cash just in case.

This park is great! Super clean and had a play structure for bigger kids as well as little ones…read more Plenty of swings... 4 regular ones, 2 baby ones and 2 of the plastic chair type ones. It's on padded turf. There's a picnic area with plenty of tables. Lots of benches around the playground too. There is very little shade at this playground. Plenty of parking.