Enjoy the Great Outdoors!

Don’t let summer slip by without taking advantage of our area’s natural attractions and fun spots.

Golf

The weather is warm, the sun is out, there’s a gentle breeze. Now get out there and show that little ball who’s boss! Here’s a listing of some of the courses in Morris and Essex counties.

Horseback Riding

There are many excellent horseback riding opportunities in our area for riders of all abilities. Saddle up!

Parks

Tired of the scenery in your backyard? Head to one of the many parks in the area, where you can take a leisurely stroll along a well-manicured path, ride your bike, picnic beneath the trees, pitch a tent, launch a canoe or kayak, or try your hand at fishing. The possibilities are endless.

Essex County

Belleville Park
343 Belleville Ave.
Belleville
Playground, bocce courts, senior citizen center, softball fields, soccer fields, ¼-mile jogging path

Brookdale Park
Watchung Ave.
Bloomfield
1½-mile fitness course, playground, running track, football field, archery field, soccer fields, softball fields, fieldhouse, interpretive trail, rose garden

Watsessing Park
Bloomfield Ave. & Conger St.
Bloomfield
Playgrounds, basketball courts, football fields, softball fields, soccer fields, senior citizen center

Mills Reservation
Normal Ave. & Reservoir Dr.
Cedar Grove
Scenic overlook, preserved open spaces, hiking trails, birdwatching

Grover Cleveland Park
Brookside Ave. & Runnymede Rd.
Essex Fells
Playground, lighted tennis courts, fieldhouse, baseball field, fishing, jogging walkways, picnic area, ice skating

Irvington Park
Grove St. & Lyons Ave.
Irvington
Running track, jogging path, fishing, playground, football field, softball fields, soccer field, baseball field, lighted basketball courts, fieldhouse, tennis courts

Glenfield Park
Bloomfield Ave. & Maple Ave.
Montclair
Playground, fitness court, tennis courts, football field, field hockey, softball fields, lighted basketball courts

Branch Brook Park
Park Ave. & Lake St.
Newark
Playground, ball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoes, bocce courts, greenhouse, urban farm, senior citizen center, roller rink, jogging loop, fitness course, children’s garden

Independence Park
Van Buren St. & Walnut St.
Newark
Playground, bocce courts, softball fields, senior citizen center, basketball courts, volleyball courts, soccer field, hockey rink

Ivy Hill Park
Mt. Vernon Pl.
Newark
Playground, lighted basketball court, band concert area, baseball fields, football field, soccer field

Riverbank Park
Market St. & Van Buren St.
Newark
Playground, running track, lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, synthetic turf soccer fields, fieldhouse

Riverfront Park
Raymond Blvd. & Brill St.
Newark
Playgrounds, spray park, walking paths, river views, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball and soccer field with synthetic turf

Vailsburg Park
South Orange Ave. & Oraton Pkwy.
Newark
Jogging path, bocce courts, lighted basketball courts, playground, fieldhouse, soccer, baseball and softball fields

Veterans Memorial Park
West Market St. & Wickliffe St.
Newark
Walking paths, gazebo, fountain, Armed Forces Memorial

Weequahic Park
Elizabeth Ave. & Meeker Ave.
Newark
Picnic area, garden, baseball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, tennis courts, fieldhouse, lake

West Side Park
S. 13th St. & 18th Ave.
Newark
Playground, 400-meter running track, tennis courts, football field, baseball field, volleyball court, handball court, basketball court, community center building

Yanticaw Park
Centre St. & Park Dr.
Nutley
Walking paths, pond

Monte Irvin Orange Park
Center St. & S. Harrison St.
Orange
Jogging path, fishing pond, playground, lighted basketball court, soccer fields, football field, softball fields

Becker Park
Locust Ave. & Eagle Rock Ave.
Roseland
Hiking trails, birdwatching

West Essex Park
Eagle Rock Ave. & Passaic River
Roseland
Interpretive trails, birdwatching, fishing areas, boat and canoe landings, Essex County Environmental Center

Anderson Park
Bellevue Ave. & N. Mountain Ave.
Upper Montclair
Jogging path, lacrosse field, hockey field, picnic area

Hilltop Reservation
255 Fairview Ave.
Verona
Hiking trails, wildlife refuge

Kip’s Castle Park
22 Crestmont Rd.
Verona
Scenic overlook, birdwatching, guided tours, seasonal programming

Verona Park
Bloomfield Ave. & Lakeside Ave.
Verona
1.2-mile fitness course, walking paths, children’s garden, playground, softball field, bocce courts, gazebo, boathouse

Eagle Rock Reservation
Prospect Ave. & Eagle Rock Ave.
West Orange
Scenic overlooks, 9/11 memorial, bridle paths, hiking trails, picnic area, softball diamond

South Mountain Reservation
South Orange Ave. & Cherry Ln.
West Orange
Hiking trails, scenic overlook, dog park, picnic areas, archery range, fishing, wildlife refuge, recreation complex

Morris County

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
247 Southern Blvd.
Chatham
Trails, self-guided and guided nature hikes, interactive nature exhibits, pond observation deck, seasonal programming

Passaic River Park
2047 Valley Rd.
Chatham
Hiking/walking trails, picnic areas, athletic fields, fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Cooper Gristmill
66 Washington Tpk.
Chester
Hiking trails, picnic shelter, visitors center, historic site, fishing, snowshoeing, cross- country skiing

Hacklebarney State Park
119 Hacklebarney Rd.
Chester
978 acres of glacial valley, 5-plus miles of hiking trails, fishing, hunting, playgrounds, picnic area

Kay Environmental Center
200 Pottersville Rd.
Chester
Hiking/walking trails, guided nature hikes, educational programs, visitors center, seasonal programming, snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing

Tourne County Park
89 Old Boonton Rd.
Denville
Playgrounds, picnic areas, hiking/walking trails, bike trails, athletic fields, equestrian trails, lake, fishing

Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center
170 Longview Rd.
Far Hills
Trails, gardens, historic site, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Willowwood Arboretum
300 Longview Rd.
Far Hills
Hiking trails, nature trails, gardens, historic site, lake, tours, educational programs

Silas Condict Park
100 Kinnelon Rd.
Kinnelon
Hiking/walking trails, lake, athletic fields, picnic areas, boating, fishing, horseback riding

Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Weldon Rd.
Lake Hopatcong
Hiking/walking trails, paved bike trails, equestrian trails, fitness stations, lake, picnic areas, playground, camping, fishing, ice skating

Hopatcong State Park
Landing
Fishing, boating, swimming

Columbia Trail
472 West Mill Rd.
Long Valley
Multi-use path with natural and gravel tread, horseback riding, bicycling, hiking, cross-country skiing

Schooleys Mountain County Park
91 E. Springtown Rd.
Long Valley
Hiking/walking trails, picnic areas, athletic fields, equestrian trails, playgrounds, fishing, sledding, snowshoeing

CentraL Park oF Morris County
91 Central Ave.
Morris Plains
Lighted in-line skate rinks, 5-acre dog park and canine center, baseball field, cross-country course, amphitheater, hiking and walking trails

Frelinghuysen Arboretum
353 E. Hanover Ave.
Morristown
Interpretive/nature trails, hiking, paved trails, historic site, gardens, visitors center, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tours

Lewis Morris Park
Grand Parade Rd. & Sugarloaf Rd.
Morristown
Playground, walking trails, dog park, fitness stations, lake, picnic areas and shelter, snack bar, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, ice skating, sledding, swimming

Loantaka Brook Reservation
468 South St.
Morristown
Hiking/walking trails, paved bike trails, equestrian trails, lake, fitness stations, picnic areas and shelter, playground, fishing

Old Troy County Park
440 Reynolds Ave.
Morristown
Playground, fitness stations, athletic fields, picnic areas, trails, fishing

Hedden County Park
124 Reservoir Ave.
Randolph
Paved bike trails, hiking/walking trails, athletic fields, lake, picnic areas, play areas, fishing, snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing

James Andrew Memorial County Park
Radtke Rd.
Randolph
Biking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Mount Hope Historical Park
Richard Mine Rd. & Teabo Rd.
Wharton
Hiking/walking trails, snowshoeing

Note: Many parks extend beyond the boundaries of the listed town into other nearby municipalities.

Dog Parks

Dogs need lots of exercise, and your living room is not the place for it. Here, some better ideas: