Branch Brook Park

This park gets a bad rep because it’s in Newark but I’ve been coming to this park ever since I was a little girl never came across any trouble.
First off, Branch Brook is huge! The first half, closer to Belleville, is filled with cherry blossoms and has a quiet little stream of water. There are also baseball fields, tennis courts and now (a recently opened) children’s playground. The other half, closer to Newark, is where I love to jog. There’s plenty of open space where you can play soccer or allow your dog off the leash. If you go further into the park you’ll come across a huge lake where you can fish (under the bridge) and see plenty of wildlife. Geese, groundhogs, skunks, funny looking ducks, even turkeys and deer (only on the Belleville side) are among the types of animals I’ve encountered.
I thoroughly enjoy this park, especially in the spring when the beautiful cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the festival is in town. As long as you are aware of your surroundings and aren’t making it your mission to jog alone at midnight, I think you’ll be a-​okay.

Gorgeous park! its huge and i love the festivals they have here. Its big and stretches across a few towns which is confusing to navigate. One second youre in the park – the next youre not! Also parking can be weird, can i park here? Am i allowed? It doesnt say yes or no in certain areas.

Really nice park with a lake and some beautiful trees. An impressive cathedral on the perimeter with amazing gothic architecture! Lots of benches. Some pretty cherry blossom trees to boot!
Lot’s of traffic and lot’s of garbage littered in the park somewhat dulled the experience!

Who would have thought that such a beautiful park with cherry blossoms and linear paths and many many athletic fields just two rapid transit trips out of the city? PATH to Newark to the Newark City Subway, and you’re basically in DC. a

A beautiful place to visit for Free.
During cherry blossom. The park is full of white and pink flowers.
There will be a big water area in the middle of park with a fountain in it and some geese floating and flying around.
Surrounded by water there’s a walking path and benches to look around the nature’s beauty.
For toddlers I recommend to take strollers water and snacks;)
Pets are allowed.
Parking, there’s plenty of space also you can park in the streets which will be around the park and happy news it’s FREE.
Rest area is in one corner of the park.
I was lucky to see some migrating birds.
I saw some people fishing and biking so take a look.
Near by There’s a huge church. The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the fifth-​largest cathedral in North America.
Pics lovers don’t miss to take your camera. There’s lots to click including the bridges;)
Late evening I am not sure about the safety so chk with regular visitors or with the park authorities.

Surprisingly clean for the newark area. I took a drive around the park to scope out the area and it all seemed great. There was plenty of space for cars and bikes, but still be careful of crazy drivers. Police were in the area. Plenty of field area for football or any other sport.
I’ll try rollerblading next time and update.

The park itself is in a pretty sketchy area. I would definitely go during daylight hours. Being from Bergen County, rather than Essex county, I don’t really know that much about the local parks. That said, I’ve gotten some feedback from people that this park is known for being a bit unsafe. The annual cherry blossoms attract a large crowd, so I think it’s relatively safe if you stick to the crowded areas.
The park itself is beautiful. There is a large lake surrounds by hundreds of cherry trees. Cherry trees range from small ornamental cherries to large majestic giants. The bright pink blooms against a bright blue sky is a sight to behold. It’s good for the soul to see such beauty after a harsh winter. The cherry blossoms are a photographers dream.
I heartily recommend checking out the park. That said, I offer a tip to really enjoy it. Come early on a weekend to secure better parking (it’s street parking along the park roads) and to avoid the dense crowds and often unruly children. The place gets a little crazy during peak cherry time.

come see the cherry blossoms in April! plenty of space to run or walk, ball fields, a pleasant enough lake, and a bunch of events each April for Cherry Blossom Festival. check out the view from the part of the part across the street from the Basilica, nice view of lower and midtown Manhattan in between a building which obstructs some of it.