ESSEX COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS YOUR GUIDE TO EVENTS, ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES OF THE ESSEX COUNTY PARKS SYSTEM Autumn / Winter 2016 Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. Essex County Executive and the Board of Chosen Freeholders www.EssexCountyNJ.org Essex County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs PUTTING ESSEX COUNTY FIRST ESSEX COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS MEMORIES GROW HERE! A MESSAGE FROM THE A MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE CONTENTS FREEHOLDER PRESIDENT Soon, the summer of 2016 will be a memory, children Upcoming Events 4 Once again, as President of the Essex County Board will return to their classrooms and the leaves will liven of Chosen Freeholders, it is a privilege to write to you, up the landscape with vibrant colors of the rainbow. the wonderful residents our the great County and to Riker Hill Park 5 But this doesn’t mean our parks will go dormant! offer greetings on behalf of this esteemed board: Vice President Brendan W. Gill, Rolando Bobadilla, Rufus I. We’re already revving up for Halloween and the Winter South Mountain Johnson, Lebby C. Jones, Leonard M. Luciano, Wayne Holiday Season! Recreation Complex 6 L. Richardson, Patricia Sebold, and Cynthia D. Toro. Together, we are working hard performing our legislative and budgetary duties Halloween is an opportunity to show off your creativity and artistic ability. Golf 12 putting the matters of the people before our own. Students from around our County will artistically carve jack-o-lanterns and put them on display for Gardens Aglow at the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. As we transition to the last quarter of the calendar year and experience the The competition for best costumed canines gets more difficult every fall at Environmental Center 14 evidence of the seasonal changes, we look forward to the many activities that warm our hearts and help to make the seasons so special. The fall colors and our Strut Your Mutt Canine Costume Parades in the Brookdale Dog Park Kip’s Castle Park 16 ultimate winter snow, allow our families to forge traditions and customs that and South Mountain Dog Park. And children can come decked out in their create memories to last a lifetime. best Halloween costume and visit dozens of candy stations at our Safe Hal- loween Celebration at Turtle Back Zoo. Essex County Gardens 18 Essex County offers many opportunities for individuals and families alike to participate in our very own traditions that we look forward to on an annual basis, The same level of excitement builds for the winter holidays. Display your Essex County Archives 18 including, but not limited to events such as: Safe Halloween, Strut your Mutt, the Historic Holiday House Tour, Holiday Lights Spectacular, special events building talents using cookies, gum drops, sprinkles and icing to create a holiday house for our Sustainable Homes and Habitat Gingerbread House Directory of and more. Whatever your predilection, there is something here in Essex County to entertain that interest. Additionally, there are many venues throughout the Contest at the Environmental Center. Experience how holidays of past were Park Conservancies 19 County offering free admission and easy accessibility to entertainment in celebrated by going on our winter house tour and visiting historic homes the various parks, the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens and the Turtle Back Zoo, throughout Essex, all dressed for the holidays. And be a part of our fast- Parks Map 20 to name a few. growing winter tradition by strolling through Turtle Back Zoo and witnessing The legislative branch is glad to partner with County Executive Joseph the Holiday Lights Spectacular, where over 50 winter and holiday themed DiVincenzo, Jr., and all departments to celebrate this 2016 fall and winter figures will be lit up every night. The activities included in this catalog take place at facilities of the Essex County Parks System. season, a personal favorite of mine celebrating holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas that mean so much to me, as well as many of the citizens of this We look forward to seeing in our historic parks. Together we will continue great County. We encourage each of you to take advantage of the numerous Putting Essex County First. opportunities to experience Essex County on a different level. Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. Britnee N. Timberlake Essex County Executive Freeholder President PUTTING ESSEX COUNTY FIRST Board of Chosen Freeholders Department of Parks, Britnee N. Timberlake Rolando Bobadilla Recreation and Cultural Affairs Freeholder President Rufus I. Johnson 115 Clifton Avenue Brendan W. Gill Lebby C. Jones Newark, NJ 07104 Freeholder Vice President Leonard M. Luciano 973-268-3500 Wayne L. Richardson Patricia Sebold 3 Cynthia D. Toro PUTTING ESSEX COUNTY FIRST ESSEX COUNTY UPCOMING EVENTS THE CELEBRATION STARTS HERE! ESSEX COUNTY CULTURAL AFFAIRS ART LIVES HERE! STRUT YOUR MUTT: COSTUME PARADES SATURDAY, 10/22 Essex County Riker Hill Park Open House and Art Sale Rain date: Sunday, October 23; 973-268-3500 284 Beaufort Avenue Saturday, November 5 & Sunday, November 6 Livingston 12 noon – 5pm Essex County Brookdale Dog Park Free admission Bloomfield/Montclair Essex County Riker Hill Art Park is a former United States Army Get an inside glimpse of the art world by attending the Essex 9:15am Registration; 10am Parade Nike Missile Tracking Base. The 42-acre complex was purchased County Riker Hill Art Park Open House. While visiting a variety Essex County South Mountain Dog Park, from the federal government for one dollar in 1974. The buildings, of different art studios, you will have the opportunity to talk to Maplewood/Millburn which once housed army facilities, have been transformed into 38 the artists, purchase art work, and stop by the gallery to view a 1:15pm Registration; 2pm Parade artist studios. Artists-in-residence work in various disciplines such compilation exhibition. Artists in residence work in a variety of as painting, fine metal jewelry, ceramics, pottery, glass-blowing, fine disciplines, including clay, jewelry, glass blowing, painting, sculpture, The Essex County canine costume parades have grown into a prints, photography, and sculpture. printmaking and photography. favorite Halloween celebration for the community to enjoy. Bring Hours of Operation your pet or just come to see the creative costumes on display. Same The grounds at Riker Hill Art Park are open from dawn to dusk day registration and free to enter! Prizes! seven days a week. There are winding trails, outstanding views of West Essex and outdoor sculptures for the public’s enjoyment. Artists’ studios are open twice a year, on the first weekends in June ESSEX COUNTY HISTORIC HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR SATURDAY, 12/3 AND SUNDAY, 12/4 and November, for an Open House and Art Sale. During this semi- annual event, visitors can watch artists at work and purchase art Residents are invited to tour Essex County’s most famed historical homes Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart work in the gallery. and structures during the annual Historic Holiday House Tour. During 89 Ridge Street, Newark Studio Rentals one spectacular weekend, 15 homes and historic sites will be dressed 973.484.4600 / http://www.cathedralbasilica.org Rates are set annually by county ordinance. In County residents may for the holiday season while offering entertainment, refreshments, Essex County Kip’s Castle Park rent studio space on an annual basis for $6.00 per square foot. Out-of- or educational opportunities. 22 Crestmont Road, Verona county residents may rent studio space on an annual basis for $7.50 Fees and times vary by location. 973.433.7469 / www.essexcountynj.org per square foot. To receive an application, please contact the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs at 973.239.7056. 2016 Participating Sites Glenmont at Thomas Edison National Historical Park 211 Main Street, West Orange Ballantine House at Newark Museum 973.736.0550, Ext. 11 / www.nps.gov/edis 49 Washington Street, Newark 973.596.6550 / www.newarkmuseum.org Greenwood Gardens 274 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills Canfield-Morgan House & Museum 973.258.4026 / www.greenwoodgardens.org 903 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove 973.239.5414 / www.cedargrovehistoricalsociety.org Grover Cleveland Birthplace 207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell 973.226.0001 / www.clevelandbirthplace.org Kingsland Manor 3 Kingsland Street, Nutley 973.235.1549 / www.nutleynj.org Montclair Historical Society Properties 973.744.1796 / www.montclairhistorical.org Charles Schultz House (Evergreens) 30 North Mountain Avenue, Montclair Israel and Nathaniel Crane Houses 108 and 110 Orange Road, Montclair Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center 240 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield 973.429.0960 / www.oakeside.org Salvatorian Fathers 23 Crestmont Road, Verona 973.746.8770 Walther House at Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair 973.783.5974 / www.presbyirisgardens.org Crane Homestead 289 Westville Avenue, West Caldwell 973.364.0155 4 5 ESSEX COUNTY SOUTH MOUNTAIN RECREATION COMPLEX THE FUN STARTS HERE! Learn to Skate Lessons Essex County Codey Arena SPECIAL EVENTS AT ESSEX COUNTY CODEY ARENA 560 Northfield Avenue The Learn to Skate program introduces skaters to the basic skills of November 12, 2016 West Orange ice skating. Classes are offered during the fall, winter, spring and September 27, 2016 January 19 & 20, 2017 summer seasons for six, seven or eight weeks. For registration and www.essexcountynj.org/codey-arena Essex County Senior Wellness Day Synchronized Skating Competition Essex County High School schedule information, please call 973.731.3828, Ext. 223. Phone: 973.731.3828 Fax: 973.731.5614 10am to 2pm 8am to 7pm Wrestling Tournament Clubs and Organizations October 7, 2016 December 26-30, 2016 March 1 & 2 The arena is open to the public for ice skating, Learn to Skate group The arena hosts a variety of clubs and organizations throughout the Essex County High School Holiday lessons, private skating parties, along with figure skating and ice Ice Dance International Skating Show NJSIAA NJ High School Hockey year.