Welcome!
The Essex County Park System, located in Northern New Jersey, was founded in 1895 and is the first county park system created in the United States. Most of its sweeping landscapes were designed by the landscape architecture firm of Frederick Law Olmsted--the most famous parks designer of his time.
Since 1979, the System has been maintained by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. It currently consists of more than 25 parks and reservations spanning 6,000 plus acres and includes major facilities such as the Turtle Back Zoo, the Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain, an Environmental Center and Kip's Castle Park.
However, a distinguishing characteristic of the Essex County Park System is its springtime blooms. Three magnificent gardens blossom annually in three different parks. Visit Branch Brook Park in April to see our historic collection of cherry trees in bloom. Visit the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in May to see more than 8,000 irises bloom. And visit Brookdale Park in June to see roses bloom.
Learn more about these gardens through this Web site and check back often to learn about upcoming events celebrating bloom season. We invite you to witness Essex County in Bloom!
Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive
and the Board of Chosen Freeholders