Branch Brook Park
National Register Of Historic Places · Newark, New Jersey
Three hundred and sixty acres running four miles through Newark, and it holds two American firsts that almost nobody outside Essex County knows about. IT WAS THE FIRST COUNTY PARK IN THE UNITED STATES, opened in 1895 — every county park system in the country descends from the argument made here — and it was laid out by the OLMSTED BROTHERS, whose father did Central Park. IT ALSO HOLDS THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES IN THE UNITED STATES, well over five thousand of them, which is more than Washington DC. For about two weeks in April it is the best thing in New Jersey.
Park Avenue, Newark, New Jersey, 07104, United States
FREE, with no permit and no admission — a county park open daily from early until dusk. Parking is free in the park lots most of the year, BUT DURING THE CHERRY BLOSSOM BLOOM IN APRIL parking is managed, some lots and drives are closed or charged, and the festival weekends are genuinely difficult — the Newark Light Rail runs alongside with stops along the park and is the better way to arrive. THE BLOOM IS A TWO-WEEK WINDOW THAT MOVES WITH THE WINTER; check the Essex County bloom tracker rather than booking blind. The cherry groves are concentrated in the NORTHERN division, not spread along all four miles. Boathouse, rink and concession facilities keep their own hours.
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