Grover Cleveland Park, Essex Fells

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Amy

The Grover Cleveland Park is located atÂ Â Brookside Avenue & Runnymede Road, Essex Fells.
You can find a map of the park on the county web-site http://www.essex-countynj.org/p/parks/sites/maps/grovercleveland.jpg

This is a gorgeous county park and playground!
Visit the County website for more information on itâ€™s history and development http://www.essex-countynj.org/p/index.php?section=parks/sites/gr&ImgLoc=images/gr

Update: Pokestops at Grover Cleveland Park! Enjoy the park and catch some pokemon!
2016 pics of our Pokemon Go adventure are below! Magmar were spotted at this pokestop. Â Great mixed age playground, where the little ones can play in the fenced area, and the older ones can walk around!

Pokemon Go at Grover Cleveland Park Caldwell NJ

Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell Essex Fells looking for Pokemon

Ingress Map: (We did ingress for a short while prior to Pokemon Go, it is what pokemon go is based on and the maps are a perfect resource for finding pokestops) Here’s a screenshot of the area around Grover Cleveland Park.

Ingress Map of Grover Cleveland Park and Surrounding Area

7yo kids without smartphones not playing Pokemon Go

Pokemon by Playground at Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell NJ

The playground area is fully fenced with a cushiony solid rubber surfacing â€“ no mulch!Â There is a beautiful building just outside the fencing that houses bathrooms and kid size picnic tables.Â Thereâ€™s also a port-a-john for days when that building is closed.Â The playground has two large new structures with a gazillion climbing options and really fun slides and bridges and all sorts of things to explore.Â There are a ton of swings including two fun tire swings.Â Lots of benches provide places for adults to rest and relax. The setting is amazing, a beautiful brook meanders past the playground (outside the fencing!) and the whole park is beautifully landscaped. It was immaculate when we visited and everything was in bloom.Â A great place to play!

Playground Equipment:

Climbing:Â stairs, climbing walls, all sorts of ladders, corkscrew poles, jungle gyms and monkey bars, pull up bars, bridges, firemanâ€™s poles and more

Slides: Corkscrew slides, a REALLY steep chute slide, twisty chute slides, toddler sized slides, TONS of slides in general

Swings:Â 8 full size swings, 4 toddler swings, handicap swings, two tire swings

Amenities:

Parking:Â We parked along the side of the road nearest the playground by the tennis courts, small parking lots are available further away from the playground but connected by paved walking paths

Benches: The playgrounds area has tons of benches nearby

Picnicking: Picnicking areas in the park, tables inside the â€œchildrens houseâ€ which also has bathrooms

Drinking Fountain:Â YES

Bathrooms: Indoor and port-a-john

Handicap Accessibility: Rubber surfacing, completely fenced, some equipment accessible, paved paths to playground, handicap support swing

Sports Fields: Â Baseball

Tennis: Lit courts

Water:Â Pond with fountain, beautiful brook

Walking Paths: Â Paved walking and jogging pathways

Other Cool Stuff:Â Fishing, ice skating, horse shoe pits, shuffleboard (byo equipment for both!)

Â Make a Day of It: Â Nearby Route 46 and downtown West Caldwell offer lots of eating and shopping

: 7yo kids without smartphones not playing Pokemon Go

: Pokemon at Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell NJ

: Ingress Map of Grover Cleveland Park and Surrounding Area

Veterans Park, Ridgefield Park, NJ

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Amy

Veterans Park is located on Overlook Ave & Morningside Ln in Ridgefield Park
This bright red and blue playground is hidden at the townâ€™s baseball fields. The play area sits below the parking area and there are steeps steps to take to it. The equipment is all bright and picnewer condition. There are lots of slides, bridges, and climbing. There is also a lot for the little ones like puzzles, tunnels, and looking glasses.

DIRECTIONS: US-46 towards the Ridgefields. Take the ramp onto Teaneck Rd. Slight right onto Emerson Ave. Turn right onto Teaneck Rd. Turn right onto Hobart St and left onto Overpeck Ave. Turn right onto Cedar St and left onto Overlook Ave.
PARKING: The entrance to the field is very steep and leads to a small lot with a bit of a walk to the play area down a flight of steep steps from the parking lot
PICNICKING: A pavilion with picnic tables
CLIMBING: Corkscrew pole, monkey bars, repeller, wiggle poles, chains, steps, bridges, twisted monkey bars, mushroom caps
PLAYTHINGS: Tic-tac-toe, puzzles, steps, musical chimes, steering wheels, looking glass, general store
SLIDES: One huge triple, one corkscrew, three chutes, one tube, two double
SPORTS: Baseball, basketball
SWINGS: Four full size, four toddler, one tire
WALKING PATHS: Paved around the park
OTHER COOL STUFF: Walking and bike path around fields

Columbus Park, Piscataway NJ

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Amy

Another Great Post by Sara Rall!

Columbus Park Playground is located near the corner of Mansfield Rd. and 11th St. in Piscataway, Middlesex County. It is a shady, dino-themed playground in a park with just about every kind of sports facility you can think of.

The playground has one main play structure with a cool set of dinosaur stairs, an interesting nature fact board, mushrooms, wavy slide, taller slides, etc. There is a decent picnic shelter nearby, and the park is full
of mature shade trees.

The bathrooms were a short walk away, unlocked, aging but fairly clean.

Then the park itself has: roller hockey, tennis, tennis backboard, beach volleyball (though the net is looking pretty ratty), baseball, basketball and a decent walking/jogging trail.

Memorial Park, Nutley, NJ

Posted on October 6, 2009 by ssayah

Maple Pl. and Vreeland Avenue, Nutley, NJ.Â For detailed Nutley Parks and Recs information on the web click here.Â

So far I think I’ve enjoyed this beautiful playground in Memorial Park the most for feeding ducks.Â

A couple of playground structures, plenty of swings and a very picturesque walking path adds to the attraction of this park.

No bathrooms closeby but there is a Shoprite within walking distance if you can make it in time with potty-training children.Â I really enjoyed walking here and look forward to exploring more of Nutley’s parks.

Thanks to @ecdesignz for this recommendation we will definitely return and perhaps add some reviews of the kid-friendly places nearby.Â Take a glance of our pictures below, we did a few “patching up” pictures to get a better panoramic view of the park.Â Enjoy!

Memorial Park, Maplewood, NJ

Posted on August 11, 2009 by ssayah

Valley Street between Oakland Road & Oakland Avenue, Maplewood, NJ. (Playground really closer to Oakland Avenue though)

Logistics: Although it is right by the train station, there is no accessibility for the disabled. Right across from the Firehouse. Sign on nearby building says No Public Restrooms, but I hear there is a pizza place across the street you can go to.

Parking: Since train is nearby, it’s a little tricky also you can’t park on Valley, but i did find that Dunnell Rd. is pretty empty in the afternoon (Jefferson Avenue Block). If you decide to park in Maplewood Village you can also walk to the park.

One of the spinniest playgrounds we have visited, has 2 playground sets, one for pre-school, and the other for school-age kids. Lots of climbing, and spinning, which was a big hit with my oldest. I failed to take a picture of the group of flat spinny seats, (took one below with my son). When we went there were lots of big kids there. Great place for walkers/joggers, if you continue to venture. Also if you get to the other side on the corner of Valley and Oakview? there are some swing sets apart from this playground. I look forward to returning especially since it is so close to Maplewood Village.

Links- Check out this link for all Maplewood parksÂ and then this great message board from Maplewood Online
Also on twitter, for your MaplewoodÂ status updatesÂ check out @mwoodvillage

: my oldest’s favorite spinner

: spinny seat

: spinner

: spinny bucket

Woods Community Park, East Windsor, NJ

Posted on August 4, 2009 by ssayah

Tot Play Area

Woods Road, East Windsor, NJ

Vinny Burzi shares some more great pictures, this time from East Windsor.Â They have a great Youth Directory online to check out more activities for kids.Â From Vinny:

Woods Road Community Park is located at Woods Road just south of Wendover Road in East Windsor NJ 08520 (Mercer County).

Facilities include a tot playground area, a playground area for older kids, Picnic Area, Basketball Court, and a walking fitness trail around the perimeter of the park. Its our local park, hidden within the development (within walking distance to our house). It is a great place to hang out, everyone is friendly and the facilities are well maintained.

Tot Play Area

Veterans Park Sprayground and Playground, Monroe Twp., NJ

Posted on July 20, 2009 by ssayah

UPDATE (2010) This changed a bit last year, (from residents only to non-residents) so far we do have word that it is opened to the public, although today (6/29/2010) this is the case, I’d call to doublecheck w/Â Monroe Recreation (732-723-5000) when you decide to visit..

UPDATE (2009): Just got an email from Monroe Recreation and they have advised that Veterans Park and Sprayground is for Monroe Township residents and their guests only. Sorry everyone! I thought it was open to all, but if you are from Monroe, or are a guest it is definitely a great place to visit.

(near intersection) Avenue K and Dynasty Drive, Monroe or Jamesburg, NJ.Â Â (my outdated GPS says Jamesburg but other sources say Monroe) Spraygrounds can be a challenge to find in NJ, but they do exist.Â Lots of fun at Veterans Park.Â Canopied picnic tables, rock wall, slides, and great sprinkler park.Â Would highly recommend seeing this park and Thompson Park if you are traveling a distance to get here.

: July 2009- at Monroe’s Veteran’s Park Sprayground

Taylor Park, Millburn, NJ

Posted on July 9, 2008 by admin

Main St. and Taylor St., Millburn, NJ. A favorite shady park in Millburn, NJ with plenty of benches.Â Fenced in, and 3 main playground structures.Â They have a sandbox but no toys.Â there is a co-op nursery adjacent to the park, and a bench.Â Adjacent to the playground is a very nice walking area.Â Information from the Township of Millburn site is:

“Taylor Park (16 acres) Main StreetÂ (973) 564-7750:
Includes Bauer Community Center
ball fields
pond
tennis
basketball courts
walking path and playground”

Also check out this article on the history of the park.Â Side note: My 2 y old wants to be with his older brother, so I often have to follow him in the bigger structures.Â In the 5y+ structure to chase after a 2 y old requires you to go through a tunnel, which is a bit cumbersome.