Essex County Brookdale Park Rose Garden
Fragrant flowers blooming in the Essex County Brookdale Park Rose Garden have been enjoyed by passersby every summer for the last 50 years.
Overview
The North Jersey Public Rose Garden was formally opened and dedicated in June of 1959. At that time, there were 750 rose bushes planted at the flagpole in Essex County Brookdale Park, on the borderline of Montclair, Bloomfield, and Glen Ridge. It was the first and only garden in the state designed to instruct the public in plant adaptability to particular areas. The site was jointly sponsored by the North Jersey Rose Society and the Essex County Park Commission.
The Master Gardeners of Essex County have been caring for the Rose Garden since 1997 and formed a Rose Garden Committee in 2003 under the direction of Bob Kroeckel. This Committee works in partnership with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and has made great strides in restoring the garden back to its original elegance.
In general, the Essex County Park System continues to welcome the help of local volunteer organizations in their initiatives to restore Brookdale Park and modernize its facilities. Below are links to a few of those groups.
Location
Essex County Brookdale Park is 121.4 acres, spanning both Bloomfield and Montclair Townships. Entrances can be found at Watchung Avenue, Bellevue Avenue, and Grove Street. When visiting the Rose Garden, please use the Grove Street entrance.
From South Jersey: Take the Garden State Parkway North to Exit 151. Turn left onto Watchung Avenue towards Montclair. Turn right onto Grove Street. The Park is on the right.
From North Jersey: Take the Garden State Parkway South to Exit 151. Turn right onto Watchung Avenue towards Montclair. Turn right onto Grove Street. The Park is on the right.
From New York:
Via the George Washington Bridge: Follow Route 80 to the Garden State Parkway South. Follow above directions from
North Jersey.
Via the Lincoln Tunnel: Follow signs to take the New Jersey Turnpike South. Take Exit 15W for Route 280 West to the
Garden State Parkway North. Follow above directions from South Jersey.
Essex County Brookdale Park Map
Links
www.mgessex.org www.brookdaleparkconservancy.org www.brookdalefriends.org www.brookdaledogpark.org