Anderson Park (New Jersey)

Anderson Park is a county park located in Montclair, New Jersey, United States. Anderson Park is part of the Essex County Park System.

Anderson Park
Anderson Park Sign showing Essex County and seal of Essex County Park System (Established 1895) above the Park Name along with the text "Established 1903"
Sign on Bellevue Avenue
TypePublic Park
LocationMontclair, New Jersey
Coordinates40.827853°N 74.245289°W / 40.827853; -74.245289
Area14.85 acres (60,100 m2)
Created1905
Operated byEssex County
OpenAll year
Public transit accessUpper Montclair (NJT station)

History

Early History

In 1902, Montclair resident Charles W. Anderson offered to donate 14.85 acres of parkland to the Essex County Park Commission. This came at a time when Essex County was facing a lot of population growth after the Civil War, which in turn brought more homes and less greenery. While Montclair was shifting away from a focus on agriculture and into suburban development, the community recognized a need for a recreational park.

Fredrick Law Olmsted Sr. died in 1903, but his stepson, John Charles Olmsted, designed Anderson Park's layout. The elder Olmsted was famous for designing Central Park in Manhattan, and his successor firm also designed many of Essex County's parks. For Montclair, the landscape architects envisioned a "neighborhood park. In a time where Theodore Roosevelt was dedicating land to America's national parks, voters quickly approved a park bond issue so that Essex County would accept Anderson's donation.

The park was called Montclair Park, until 1909 when the name was changed to Anderson Park at the request of the town to honor Charles W. Anderson.[1]

Modern Day

In 2006, Friends of Anderson Park formed to protect and form the original 1904 Olmsted Planting Plan.[2] Since then, the conservancy has planted more than 230 trees and shrubs.

Plaque commemorating Charles W. Anderson

Qualities

Anderson Park was designed to be versatile and open. It features a meadow, boulders, benches, and pathways. A pear-shaped main loop surrounds the meadow; a smaller inner loop diverges on the southeast end of the park. The park is popular with families, joggers, dog walkers, picnickers, and athletes. Each June, the park is home to the Music Under the June Moon chamber concert, and in September, the Fine Arts and Crafts Fair comes to the park.[3]

Location

Anderson Park is located adjacent to Upper Montclair Railway Station. It is within walking distance of Upper Montclair's business district and Buzz Aldrin Middle School. Toney's Brook flows through the east side of the park, parallel to the railroad tracks.

  • Anderson Park Gallery
  • The Upper Montclair Railway Station from Anderson Park
    The Upper Montclair Railway Station from Anderson Park
  • Anderson Park from Bellevue Avenue Entrance
    Anderson Park from Bellevue Avenue Entrance
  • Path running through the park
    Path running through the park
  • Anderson Park, Signage (as seen from Bellevue Avenue)
    Anderson Park, Signage (as seen from Bellevue Avenue)
  • The lawn, Anderson Park, (2006)
    The lawn, Anderson Park, (2006)

See also

References
  1. "Anderson Park | Parks | Essex County Parks". essexcountyparks.org. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  2. "Our Mission". Friends of Anderson Park. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  3. "Enjoying the Park". Friends of Anderson Park. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
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