Named in honor of General Joseph Bloomfield—a Revolutionary soldier and officer in the War of 1812 who later became Governor of New Jersey. In 1812 it became independent of Newark. The name was voted by the people from Wardsesson or Watsessing. It was a mill town in the 19th century.

HOST COMMUNITY - MONTCLAIR

Montclair was originally known as Cranetown. Upper Montclair was called Speertown after the leading family. When they joined in 1868 the township was named after the "Clear Mountain" on which it is built. It was incorporated as Montclair in 1894.

ACREAGE
121.41

LOCATION
Watchung Ave., Bloomfield; Grove St., Montclair
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HISTORIC PROFILE

CONSTRUCTING THE RUNNING TRACK, 1935

FUN AT THE CORRAL, 1958

Brookdale Park is located in the northernmost part of the eastern section of Essex County, bordered by Watchung Avenue, Grove Street, and Bellevue Avenue, and lies within the municipalities of Montclair and Bloomfield. It is the third largest park in the county system, containing 121.41 acres.

The land that is now Brookdale Park was at one time used as a gathering place by the Lenni-Lenape Indians. During the 17th Century Dutch settlers moved into the area and transformed it into farming and grazing land. The fields came to get the name Stonehouse Plains, which is what the area was called until the late 1800's when the location was to get a post office. It was then decided that Stonehouse Plains was too long a name, so it was changed to Brookdale. In 1928 land purchases began for the future park, and were completed in 1931.

Park construction began in 1928 according to design by the Olmsted Brothers. The basic work was in place by 1930. When the Depression hit, the work that was originally estimated to take only a few years was extended to many years. Construction became dependent upon labor available from the WPA and ERA agencies, who completed the major work by 1937. The result is one of the County's most beautiful parks.

On May 22, 1937, the park had its first AAU track meet. On June 11, 1959, the North Jersey Rose Society donated 750 rose bushes, establishing the rose garden, a major attraction to this day.
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CURRENT IMPROVEMENTS

• Perimeter fence and entrance improvements in the Southern Division.
Cost: $267,300 Completed in 2004

• Park Avenue Bridge Restoration
Cost: $3,216,945 Completed in 2005

• Middle Division Ballfields
Included: relocated ballfields, grading, drainage, irrigation, sports lighting, scoreboard, new press box, parking improvements, pedestrian entrance improvements, amenities
Cost: $6,457,434 Completed in 2006

• Fence and Lights at Pedestrian Bridge
Completed in 2006

• Boat House Area Landscape Restoration
Completed in 2006

• Restoration of the historic Essex County Parks Administration Building
Completed in 2007

• Modernization and realignment of three baseball fields in the Branch Brook Park Extension
Cost: $1,497,261 Completed in 2007

• Construction of Historic Octagon Shelter replica
Cost: $353,510 Completed in 2007

• Modernization of Cherry Blossom Welcome Center
Cost: $840,000 Completed in 2008

· Completion of Demonstration Project
Included: Pathway and lighting improvements, park entranceway enhancements, cherry tree plantings
Cost: $2,468,063 Completed in 2009

· Rehabilitation of Bloomfield Avenue Bridge
Cost: $3,028,890 Completed in 2009

· Dedication of “Essex County Andre Tippett Field,” a new synthetic grass surface football and soccer field in the Essex County Branch Brook Park Middle Division
Cost: $917,662 Completed in 2009

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DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

• 1½ mile fitness course.
• Synthetic ¼ mile running track and football field.
• Soccer & softball fields.
• Archery field.
• Bike races.
• Grandstand
• Fieldhouse.
• Interpretative Trail.
• Playground.
• 11 Tennis Courts.
• Formal rose garden with over 100 different species.
• Favorite park for summer concerts and Fourth of July celebrations.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From New Jersey: Route 280 to Garden State Parkway North. Take Exit 151. Turn left onto Watchung Avenue. Park is on the right.

From New York: George Washington Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey Turnpike South. Take Exit 15W for Route 280 West. Follow above directions.

Use the intersection of “Watchung Avenue and Circuit Drive” when obtaining driving directions from the Internet.

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