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
20.01

LOCATION
Bloomfield Ave. & Maple Ave., Montclair
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HISTORIC PROFILE

BY THE WADING POOL, 1914

THE BRIDGE IN THE GLEN, 1914

Glenfield is a 20.01-acre park located in the central section of Essex County in Montclair, with a small corner extending into Glen Ridge. It is the thirteenth in size in the county park system, and is bordered by Maple, Woodland, and Bloomfield Avenues. Glenfield serves as a community park and most of the users walk to it from the surrounding neighborhoods. The original acreage was given to the Essex County Park Commission by the Town of Montclair in 1910 and the park was designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm.

Acquisition of this land by the County preserved a rare bit of wildlife habitat in the midst of a bustling metropolis. While the bulk of the land was transformed into the usual recreational activities, in the southeastern corner of the park Toney's Brook forms a picturesque glen with natural streamside vegetation. This creates a habitat favorable to a variety of wildlife, including several species of songbirds. The glen has been an educational resource in environmental education programs. The thick vegetation along Toney's Brook also aids in buffering the traffic noise from Bloomfield Avenue.

The 1960's and 70's brought increased recreational demands from the changing neighborhood and a community center was established in the park in 1974.
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CURRENT IMPROVEMENTS

• Playground Resurfacing
Cost: $205,290 Completed in 2003
• General Improvements: Included the installation of an 8-station exercise course, reconstruction of the basketball and tennis courts, and renovation to community building
Cost: $1,031,072 Completed in 2006
• General Improvements: Modernization of two baseball/softball fields and football/soccer field, and the dedication of the “Essex County Wally Choice Community Center”
Cost: $972,335 Completed in 2009

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DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

• Large community center.
• Football field.
• Field hockey.
• Softball fields.
• Tennis Courts.
• Lighted basketball courts.
• Large playground & fitness court.
• Glenfield Middle School, adjacent to the park, uses it for many of their programs.
• Toney's Brook flows through the glen.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From New Jersey: Route 280 to Garden State Parkway North. Take Exit 148. Follow the jughandle and turn right onto Bloomfield Avenue. Turn left onto Maple Avenue. Park is on the left.

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 “Maple Avenue and Woodland Avenue” when obtaining driving directions from the Internet.

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